Student Support Officer

About this role

This is a 12 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026 with possible extension and/or permanency The Role The role of the Student Support Officer is considered essential to ensuring a responsive and effective student support service. As a result, your communication skills and ability to be an effective team player will be highly regarded. You would be part of a cohesive team that provides a responsive social and emotional curriculum where you will contribute to the development of student support strategies and student support programs. Student Support Officers may also be involved in transporting students. School staff benefit from working in a collaborative team environment, sharing common goals and resources in supporting students, schools and parents. Applicants that have skills in maintaining professional boundaries while adopting a student centric approach that aids in contributing to positive student outcomes will be highly regarded. In addition, under direction the Student Support Officer provides support in therapeutic crisis management and the development of personalised student de-escalation strategies. The successful applicant will work as part of a SALS team located at Karratha. The setting comprises of a Program Coordinator, a team of teachers with support from a Student Support Officer, a Youth Transition Officer and a School Psychologist. The successful applicant will ideally have experience and credibility in student engagement and transitions, case management, social and emotional learning program development, a background in student support and current professional learning, or the capacity to undertake targeted professional learning, in areas such as de-escalation, team teach, circle of courage, therapeutic crisis intervention in schools and trauma-informed practice. The successful applicant may be required to travel to Perth, or other SALS locations to attend professional learning and staff development days and inductions, this may include overnight stays and air travel. This role may require suitable applicants to hold and maintain a valid WA driver’s license. School of Alternative Learning Settings The SALS program was originally established in early 2019 to target a specific cohort of students who present with complex and challenging behaviour and would benefit from a short-term, intensive intervention program. At the commencement of the 2022 academic year the program was consolidated as a stand-alone school. SALS delivers specialised activities and learning programs that build students’ social skills and self-regulation in environments designed to effect positive and lasting change in their behaviour. The program has the capacity to provide access to specialists such as paediatricians, clinical psychologists, or consultation with psychiatrists. There are 13 SALS sites located in the metropolitan and regional education regions of Western Australia (one of which is our SALS Administration located in Padbury). Students are provided with an intensive, individualised program of support while they continue their education. There is a strong focus on developing students’ social skills and ability to self-regulate. Learning and engagement is flexible, co-designed with students, culturally responsive and supports self-determination and interpersonal connection. Find out more about our school by visiting sals.wa.edu.au or Schools Online Want to know more? Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF). For more information about this opportunity, please contact Andrew Button, Principal on 0409 086 668 or Andrew.button@education.wa.edu.au During the school holidays, please contact Andrew Button on 0409 086 668 or Andrew.button@education.wa.edu.au. Equity and Diversity We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details. Eligibility To work with us, you must: • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment. • obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and • consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start. Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF). Application Instructions Apply online in two easy steps: Step 1: Select Apply for Job Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager. Step 2: Attach your documents Your application should include: • A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and • A two (2) page statement addressing the two selection criteria as outlined below - • Demonstrated skills and experience in working with individual or small groups of students experiencing difficulties. • Demonstrated knowledge of the youth sector, particularly local organisations and services. Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experiences in relation to the remaining selection criteria outlined in the attached JDF assessed in the further stages of the recruitment process. It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job. Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted. For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance. Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SS1058786 Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position. The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process. Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Tuesday, 4 August 2026