Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3

Occupation: Learning specialist

Location: Grampians - Ararat

Reference: 1547099

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.

SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth

SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.

Role

Role In addition to the below, this position comes with a Senior English Teaching load.

In recognition of the importance of exemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialist as outlined by the DET may include but are not limited to:

- Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice
- Modelling exemplary classroom practice including through teaching demonstration lessons
- Working with the school leadership team to develop a shared view of highly effective teacher practice
- Leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery
- Playing a key role in the provision of professional learning, including through developing processes and protocols for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration
- Modelling effective learning practice and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback on their practice
- Providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development;
- Providing expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school qualified learning
- Supervising and training one or more preservice teachers, and mentoring and/or coaching teachers;
- Modelling exemplary use of student data to inform teaching approaches
- Developing and promoting school-wide professional learning structures, processes and protocols through Professional Learning Communities
- Modelling exemplary professional learning practice including through seeking feedback from other teachers and leaders on their own classroom practice as part of critical reflection and inquiry to improve practice

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

OverviewMaximising the learning growth of all students remains a key focus of Ararat College.

The Learning

Specialist for Literacy will play a key role in ensuring a whole school approach to the teaching of literacy is embedded across the school that utilises real time data and increases staff professional expertise. They will be required to work closely with the Principal Class Team, Learning Specialist for Numeracy and PLC Team.Core responsibilities of the role As Learning Specialist for Literacy, your duties include but are not limited to the following:

- Lead and manage the implementation of whole-school improvement initiatives related to the school strategic plan and school priorities
- Promote and assist school staff in the use of diagnostic, formative and summative assessment for responding to student ability levels




- Develop and oversee implementation of whole school assessment schedule, which includes PAT assessments
- Ensuring the Ararat College Teaching and Learning Model and State-Wide Reporting Levels are embedded through a documented curriculum
- Manage the development of the school's assessment and reporting policies and practices, including implementation of Common Assessment Tasks
- Lead staff in the development and implementation of high-quality Curriculum and Assessment/Feedback Practices, provide professional learning as required. Ensuring documented curriculum at all Year Levels is available online.
- Preparation of relevant curriculum handbook/s that document the learning opportunities for students at Ararat College
- Oversee the effective implementation of school literacy intervention program, MacqLit
- Track the progress of students in the literacy intervention
- Investigate the possible introduction of an extension-based intervention program for high ability students
- Ensure EAL students across the school are supported
- Work closely with the Disability Inclusion Team in supporting student literacy and learning needs
- Fulfil the role of Head of the English Faculty
- Oversee the effective implementation of Illuminate, our whole school reading program

Who May Apply

Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA , disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Conditions of Employment





- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Qualification Requirements

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:

- The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
- if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
- a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements (this condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian ITE program completed by the person).

Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.

Location Profile

Ararat College is located in the heart of Western Victoria¿s central highlands, between the Grampians and Pyrenees ranges, approximately 200km from Melbourne and 100km west of Ballarat. The city of Ararat has a population of around 11,500 and is known for its welcoming community, country lifestyle, and access to stunning natural attractions. Surrounded by mountains, national parks, historical landmarks, and thriving local produce and wine industries, Ararat offers an inspiring environment in which to live and learn. For further information, please visit the Ararat Rural City Council website.

Ararat College has a current enrolment of 330 students, many of whom travel to school via six country bus routes from a wide range of local primary schools. Transitioning students from small rural schools into a larger secondary setting is a strength of the College, supported through carefully planned programs and a welcoming school culture.

The College is led by a committed Leadership Team comprising the Principal, two Assistant Principals, three Leading Teachers and two Learning Specialists. Together with a dedicated and talented group of teaching and support staff, they foster a caring, well-disciplined environment where high expectations for learning, behaviour and presentation are consistently upheld.

Ararat College works in close partnership with families and the wider community to empower young people to find their voice, embrace responsibility, and strive for excellence. The College values and actively celebrates academic achievement, student leadership, and broad participation in school life.

Students are encouraged to engage in a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, including instrumental music, media and digital programs, subject and year-level camps, the State School Spectacular, band, theatre and musical productions, as well as an extensive sports program. These experiences build confidence, creativity and teamwork, equipping students to become capable and contributing members of their communities.

With strong community support and a dedicated staff, Ararat College looks to the future with confidence, continuing its commitment to nurturing respectful, resilient and successful learners.

Apply now Applications close Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 11.59pm Posted 8 October 2026

📌 Learning Specialist- Literacy (Ararat)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 Ararat