The City of Greater Geelong Family Services Department has the following services:

• Licensed long day care centres.

• Community hubs ( which includes Kindergarten, Maternal and Child Health, Occasional Care and School Holiday Program)

• Family Day Care services

• Stand-alone kindergartens

• Several stand-alone maternal and child health centres; and

• Family services development unit (which includes events, parenting, facilitated playgroup and other specialist programs)

All of these services are governed by the 2012 National Education and Care Services Regulations, National Education and Care Service Law Act 2010 and a range of other state and federal legislation. The purpose of these services is to work in partnership with families to ensure all children have access to high quality education and care in their early childhood years.

Our volunteers are people who live in the community, are passionate about where they live and are dedicated to supporting our qualified Childcare Educators in providing quality care to the children in the Geelong community.

Position responsibilities

Key responsibilities

1. Assist service providers in their daily education and care tasks in a positive and safe manner.

2. Be aware of the education and care environment and report any OH&S concerns to the Person in Charge

3. Be aware of and adhere to all current service policies and procedures

4. Demonstrate the City of Greater Geelong core values and Code of Conduct in all interactions with stakeholders including children, parents, staff and visiting professionals.

Our purpose

Working together for a thriving community

Our values

• Champion each other
  We support, uplift, and celebrate each other to build a safer, more inclusive workplace and community.

• Be brave
  We speak up, make difficult decisions, and lean into the tough stuff to make a bigger impact.

• Share the why
  We listen, actively share information, and explain the why behind decisions to build trust and transparency.

• Find a better way
  We challenge the status quo, learn from one another, and remove barriers to deliver simpler, more sustainable solutions for our customers.

Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities

• Understand and comply with Council OHS policies, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to the position.

• Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner.

• Ensure behaviour does not discriminate, bully or harass others.

• Take responsibility for own safety and that of others.

• Proactively report any incidents, injuries, hazards or unsafe work practices.

The following general physical and functional requirements may apply to this position. Specific physical requirements will be attached if applicable.

• Manual handling tasks.

• Dealing with difficult clients and situations.

Child safe

City of Greater Geelong policies, procedures and training support employees, volunteers and contractors to achieve child safe practices.

The City is committed to:

1. preventing child abuse occurring within our services, programs and facilities
2. creating an organisational culture of child safety
3. setting clear expectations of employees, volunteers and contractors as to what is required to keep children safe
4. ensuring employees, volunteers, contractors are clear about their responsibilities when they suspect abuse of a child
5. ensuring all suspected abuse is reported and fully investigated. 

Diversity and inclusion

The City of Greater Geelong recognises the value of the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

Key selection criteria

1. Good communication and customer liaison skills

2. A friendly disposition, a caring attitude and the ability to relate to people from all walks of life

3. Good oral communication

4. Ability to work as part of a team

5. Ability to and understanding of the need to respect and maintain client privacy and confidentiality

6. Ability to safely carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the role

7. Current Working with Children Check (employee or volunteer card) or Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration.

8. National Police Check (to be initiated by the City of Greater Geelong)

Rostering

• Most services operate between 6:30am and 6:30pm from Monday to Friday. Your availability should be discussed with the Centre Director at your service, prior to commencement

Additional information

• You will need to supply the details of two referees - 1 personal referee and 1 professional referee if you have been employed within the last 5 years.  Please supply names and contact details on your application form.

• The City of Greater Geelong provides personal injury cover under our Personal Injury Insurance and therefore volunteers can work up to 90 years of age.

• Animals and/or children cannot accompany volunteers.

• It is vital that volunteers do not discuss their personal issues or home situations with anyone. Any issues regarding your own or a visitor’s health or wellbeing should be reported to your Coordinator.

How to apply

Applications for this position should be submitted using our on-line form:

Need to know more...

If you require further information regarding this position, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator on 03 5272 4741.