Head of Boarding

Worawa Aboriginal College is seeking an experienced people leader to join the College as Head of Boarding.

• Make a lasting impact on the lives and development of young Aboriginal women
• Excellent salary packaging benefits, full-time or part-time arrangements considered for the right candidate
• Beautiful Yarra Valley location | Accommodation and meals while on shift

About the College

Located on a beautiful 136-acre property in the Yarra Valley, approximately 60 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, Worawa is a vision-led, Aboriginal-owned and governed boarding school for Aboriginal girls in their secondary years of schooling, with students coming from communities across Australia.

At the heart of the College is a strong commitment to Aboriginal culture, identity and self-determination, and to supporting young Aboriginal women to leave Worawa confident in who they are, where they want to go and what they can contribute to the wider world.

Worawa provides a holistic approach to education through an integrated Education, Culture and Wellbeing model, recognising the important role that Boarding plays in creating a sense of belonging, connection and community for students living away from home.

About the Role

As Head of Boarding, you will lead the College's boarding program and Boarding Team, creating a safe, supportive and culturally responsive home-away-from-home environment for Worawa students.

Reporting to the Head of College Operations, you will oversee the day-to-day operation of Boarding, including staff leadership, student wellbeing, family engagement, activities and the effective operation of the Boarding Houses.

Central to the role is building strong relationships with students, leading and supporting Boarding staff, and creating a positive boarding culture where students feel safe, connected and supported to develop confidence and independence.

You will also ensure the boarding program meets child safety, VRQA, boarding and workplace health and safety requirements.

Given the nature of a residential boarding environment, the successful candidate will maintain a visible and active presence within the boarding community, including working at least one weekend day during term time. Some interstate travel will also be required at the beginning and end of terms to escort students travelling to and from their home communities.

This is a residential position requiring overnight stays. While on shift, private ensuited accommodation and all meals are provided.

Why Worawa?

This is an opportunity to lead with purpose. You will play an important role in creating the environment students call home while at Worawa, leading a team that supports their wellbeing, independence, cultural identity and development during some of their most formative years.

About You

Ideally, you will have;

• Demonstrated leadership experience in boarding, residential care, youth services, education, community services or a similar environment.
• Strong people leadership skills and the ability to lead, develop and support a team.
• Experience supporting the wellbeing, development and individual needs of young people.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build respectful relationships with young people, families and communities.
• Understanding of child safety, duty of care, trauma-informed and restorative approaches.
• Strong organisational, judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Capacity to work flexibly within a residential environment, including weekends, overnight stays and occasional interstate travel.
• Current Working with Children Check, National Police Check and Victorian Driver's Licence.
• Current First Aid qualifications or willingness to obtain.

Qualifications in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services, Indigenous Studies, Education or a related discipline, experience in boarding or residential care, and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be highly regarded.

This position requires the successful applicant to embrace the Worawa ethos of Aboriginal values, Aboriginal-led decision making and the right to Aboriginal self-determination.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Worawa Aboriginal College is an equal opportunity employer, has a commitment to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. 

Worawa is a Not-for-Profit organisation and registered PBI Charity and therefore can offer excellent salary packaging benefits. 

To discuss this role in more detail please contact hr@worawa.vic.edu.au.

Previous applicants need not apply.