Closing Date: 17/08/2026

Start Date: 24th August 2026

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA MUST BE ANDRESSED OTHERWISE YOUR APPLICAITON WON'T BE CONSIDERED

Hours:

Two days a week - days to be determined.

About Ballarat Specialist School

Ballarat Specialist School caters for students aged from 3 to 18 years who have a diagnosed intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound.

Ballarat Specialist

School is a dual-campus K-12 school organised around four stages of learning - Early Learning (Ages 3-5), Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15) and Senior School (Ages 15-18).

Our Early

Learning to Middle School students are accommodated at our main Gillies Street Campus.

Our Senior

School students are located at our 8.09 hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. Our current enrolment is approximately 430 students.

Role The Barista / Café Assistant plays a vital role in the successful daily operations of the school café. This includes preparing and serving a range of food and beverages, with a particular focus on barista-made coffee, ensuring a high standard of product quality and presentation. The role also involves upholding strict hygiene, cleanliness, and food safety standards to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all customers.

In addition to delivering friendly and efficient customer service to students, staff, and members of the public, the Barista / Café Assistant also supports the school’s educational goals by working closely with students undertaking training or work experience in the café. This includes modelling professional café practices, guiding students through tasks, providing encouragement and feedback, and helping them develop valuable skills in a real-world hospitality setting.

Responsibilities The Barista / Café Assistant is responsible for operating the coffee machine and preparing a range of high-quality hot and cold beverages. They also assist in preparing and serving food items such as sandwiches, snacks,



and light meals, while operating the point-of-sale (POS) system to process customer orders efficiently.

Daily duties include setting up and packing down the café deli fridge, maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, and ensuring all food safety requirements are met. This includes cleaning café areas and equipment, completing food safety records, and following workplace health and safety procedures.

Additional tasks include collecting and cleaning used crockery and cutlery, wiping down tables, taking out rubbish, and managing café laundry. The role also requires excellent customer service skills and a professional, friendly manner when interacting with students, staff, and the public.

A key part of this role involves supporting students undertaking training or work experience in the café. This includes modelling safe, professional work practices and helping students build confidence and skills in a real-world hospitality setting. Other duties may be assigned by the Café Manager, and mobile phone use should be limited to work-related purposes.

- Desirable Skills and Attributes:
- Prior experience as a barista (at least 1 year of experience) or in a café/food service environment.

- Strong customer service and communication skills.

- Understanding of food safety and hygiene practices.

- Friendly, reliable, and adaptable with a positive attitude.

- Ability to work collaboratively and support students in a learning environment.

Selection Criteria





SC1 – Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school setting

Demonstrated ability to perform a variety of café-related tasks including food and beverage preparation, customer service, point-of-sale operation, stock rotation, and cleaning duties while maintaining a high standard of safety and hygiene in a school setting.

SC2 – Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students, and the capacity to support students who are learning or undertaking work experience

Proven interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage positively with students, staff, and members of the public. Demonstrated experience or willingness to support students who are learning or completing work experience in a café setting, by providing clear guidance, modelling safe and professional work practices, and contributing to a positive and inclusive learning environment.

SC3 – Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Hospitality Equipment including Coffee Machine as relevant to the position

Experience using a range of hospitality and café equipment, including commercial coffee machines, ovens, fridges, and other kitchen tools, with an understanding of safe and proper use in line with industry standards.

SC4 – Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including the school community and the public.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships within a school community. Works collaboratively with café staff, educators, and support personnel while demonstrating a flexible and team-oriented approach.

SC5 – A commitment to professional learning and growth

Willingness to participate in relevant training and professional development, including food safety, student support, and hospitality practices, to continually improve skills and contribute to a positive and evolving café environment.

📌 Barista/Café Assistant - Ballarat Specialist School - Paid School Holidays (Lake Gardens)
🏢 Ballarat Specialist School
📍 Lake Gardens