January 29, 2023

Goal Statement

The Education and Engagement Officer will engage various sectors across the Whitehorse community and beyond to optimise engagement through the performances and programs delivered by the Whitehorse Performing Arts Centre (WPAC).

This position will work with artists, schools and tertiary institutions, younger people, the CALD community, seniors groups, LGBTQIA+ community and disability groups to ensure there is a wide variety of access and inclusion provided through an inspiring engagement program.

Key Responsibilities

Position Specific Responsibilities

Education & Engagement

• Play a key role in the development and delivery of effective education and engagement strategies to engage with the local community, with particular attention to schools and tertiary institutions, younger people in community, the CALD and LGBTQIA+ community, senior groups and disability groups.

• Engage with the local community and local artists to activate participation in the arts and contribute to audience development.
• Develop relationships with primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions within Whitehorse, and develop an understanding of key areas of interest for education programs.
• Develop and maintain effective community arts and culture networks.
• Support and encourage the involvement of the CALD and LGBTQIA+ community and cultural groups in the development and presentation of arts and cultural programs.
• Develop relationships with both disability groups and seniors groups to develop an understanding of their areas of interest for programming.
• Identify and promote opportunities for inter-agency referral and fostering of artistic talents and abilities.

Programming Strategies & Sponsorship Opportunities

• Ensure an understanding of school terms and timeframes for key events such as exams so that relevant programs for schools are scheduled at an appropriate time.
• Support the programming team and assist in the scheduling of performances at appropriate times for various user groups within the community which will provide the relevant groups the greatest access and inclusion to the shows.
• Contribute to the development of marketing and promotional strategies for WPAC events and workshops.
• Identify sponsorship opportunities and potential sponsors for programs where appropriate.

Safety & Emergency Management

• Ensure adherence with the WPAC’s Occupational Health and Safety policies and practices.
• Act as a Warden in emergencies.
• Out of hours work is required for this role to deliver services and events.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Corporate Policies, Procedures and the Organisational Goals and Values in the current Whitehorse City Council Collective Agreement.
• Understand and adhere to the Risk Management Policy (as it relates to the employees work area) and related procedures that are designed to minimise injury and/or loss to individuals, assets and equipment.
• Report any matters that may impact on the safety of Council employees or citizens, assets and equipment.
• Support, enable and encourage strategies and actions identified in Council’s Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) to improve workplace gender equality.
• Champion a safe environment for children and young people in accordance with Council’s commitment to Child Safety

Authority

Budget: Nil

Staff responsibility: Nil

Decision Making:

• The position is governed by clear objectives but has the freedom to determine the method in which the work is undertaken, in consultation with the Programming Team Leader.
• Provides accurate advice and information to clients.
• Required to solve problems usually based on skills acquired through experience, however there will be times when the problems encountered are of a more complex manner and require creativity to be applied in decision making.
• Guidance and advice would usually be available within the time required to make a choice.

Key Relationships

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key contacts in primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions, CALD communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, disability groups and seniors groups.
• The position will liaise with local artists and community arts and culture networks.
• The ability to liaise with, influence and gain co-operation from key stakeholders.

Skills & Attributes

Qualifications/Certificates/Licences and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in community engagement and/or in the education sector.
• Excellent verbal and written skills including the ability to liaise effectively with key stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to use creativity and problem solving skills.
• A tertiary qualification in a related field is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and skills of working in a performing arts environment highly desirable.
• A valid Victorian driver’s licence.
• Satisfactory National Criminal History Check.
• Working with Children Check.

Technology

• Demonstrated ability to use MS Office
• Demonstrated ability in digital platforms.

Interpersonal

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write reports and correspondence in plain English.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key contacts in primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions, LGBTQIA+ and CALD communities, disability groups and seniors groups.
• Liaise with local artists and community arts and culture networks.
• The ability to liaise with, influence and gain co-operation from key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships with people from all abilities and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Leadership/management:

• Demonstrated ability to manage time, set priorities and organise work so as to achieve set objectives.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated qualification and/or experience in community engagement and/or education sector experience preferably in a performing arts environment.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to building relationships with people from all abilities and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
3. The ability to liaise with, influence and gain co-operation from key stakeholders in a performing arts environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to use creativity and problem solving skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage time, set priorities and organise work so as to achieve set objectives.