• Position    : Permanant, Full Time
• Location   : Preston
• Salary       : Between $110,110 to $112,541 based on experience and qualifications, plus super and salary packaging options

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Education Specialist will have the responsibility to promote and encourage best practice in relation to the education of residents across VACCA’s residential care programs. The Education Specialist will use a collaborative approach with VACCA residential staff, to ensure they can best support young people to reengage with, attend and thrive in their chosen education setting.  

About You

• Commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children in an educational context
• Awareness of why Aboriginal children and carers may experience challenges or barriers within the education system
• Experience and understanding of school communities and the supports available
• Experience working with high-risk youth, exhibiting challenging behaviours
• Strong understanding of the education support systems available to young people living in residential care settings and an understanding of strengths-based, trauma informed and therapeutic practice
• Ability to advocate for service intervention and client supports Experience working with individuals and groups – identifying underlying issues, working with conflict, assisting people to communicate safely and effectively, working collaboratively with other services and supports.  
• Requirements: Qualification in Education or Social Work, valid Police Check, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain), First Aide Certificate (or willingnes to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended)

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

 We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume. We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying. Please click here  Education Specialist - Residential Care - Preston - L6.pdf to download the position description for this role. 

Application closes by 8 March 2026

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy