Deputy Director – Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie, South Australia

• Are you poised to take a significant step in your career?
• Would your pathway to executive leadership benefit by joining a collaborative, supportive setting; within a close-knit CEO team; and a small, rich community of 14 schools?

 “Our strong, collaborative culture is evident in our communities, schools and relationships: … We are distanced, yet not distant.” – Nichii Mardon, Director Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie.

Led by the Bishop of Port Pirie, Most Rev Karol Kulczycki SDS, the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie is a gathering of diverse communities scattered across 980,000 square kilometers.

Port Pirie is the administrative centre of the Diocese. The heart of Catholic education beats strongly in the 14 schools across the diocese, located across the outback, the mining fields, Aboriginal lands, the Riverland, the Flinders Ranges, and in towns along the gulf up and down the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas.

The 14 schools are a combination of R- YR 12, R – YR 6, R- YR 9 and YRS 7-12, with two schools providing boarding facilities. They are located in four regions within the Port Pirie Diocese:

• Cathedral Region – in Jamestown, Gladstone, Peterborough, Port Pirie & Wallaroo
• Riverland Region – in Berri, Loxton, Barmera and Renmark.
• Northern Region – in Port Augusta and Roxby Downs.
• Western Region – on Whyalla and Port Lincoln.

As you take up the opportunity of leading in this diocese you will come to know and become known by the 900 staff and 4,000 students within schools, parishes and town communities. You will be enriched by and enrich the landscape and the people.

Living in the Diocese

Whilst residing in the Diocese is required, and there are advantages in living in the centrally located city of Port Pirie, the successful person may choose not to live there. For example, there are a range of nearby seaside, coastal and ranges communities, such as the famed Riverland, a region along the Murray River. It has towns such as Renmark, Berri, Loxton and Barmera, each with a population of around 5,000 and between 3 to 3.5 hours from Port Pirie (and similar times to Adelaide). Adelaide to Port Pirie is a 2 ½ hour drive.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the following websites:

Port Pirie: https://cesapp.catholic.edu.au/

Catholic Education South Australia:  https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/

You can also access a video on YouTube which provides insight to the CESA Living Learning Leading Framework at https://youtu.be/uRXGwF1gF_c

Position Overview

Position Title: Deputy Director, Catholic Education, Diocese of Port Pirie

Reports to: Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Port Pirie

Position Purpose

The Deputy Director – Catholic Education Port Pirie will promote the educational ministry of the Church in the Diocese of Port Pirie, committed to the Bishop’s Charter, and implement the policies of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools.

The Deputy Director will work closely with the Director and the Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) Leadership Team to bring the vision of Catholic Education SA to life.

The Deputy Director will provide leadership, strategic oversight of, and support for Catholic Education across the Diocese of Port Pirie with respect to key system and national Catholic Education strategic priorities.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description; the CESA strategic plan Towards 2027; and the success criteria/strategic priorities for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

Key relationships include:

• Director of Catholic Education: Diocese of Port Pirie
• Bishop of Port Pirie
• Port Pirie Diocesan Principals & Senior Staff in schools
• Schools Performance Leaders
• Diocesan Parishes
• School Communities
• CESA Director & Deputy Director
• CESA Leadership Team
• SA Catholic Education Offices staff

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project; together with information explaining the relationship of the Port Pirie Office and the Adelaide Office, within the unique context of Catholic Education South Australia.

Reason for Vacancy

This is a newly created role.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable, although it is anticipated the latest date would be January 2023.

Location and Travel

The Catholic Education Office is located at 105 Gertrude Street, Port Pirie. The nature of this executive role requires regular intrastate travel, and occasional interstate travel.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
• The initial contract period is 4 years. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• The nature of this executive appointment means flexibility in working hours is required.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence.
• Applicants will have evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 or the provision of a medical exemption as per clinical advice from the Australian Department of Health.
• Prior to appointment the successful applicant will participate in good character screening processes and hold a current acceptable Department of Human Services (DHS) Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance.

Selection Criteria

The Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• Actively participate in a Catholic Eucharistic community.
• The capacity and desire to work collaboratively, creatively, generously and with a spirit of joy and hope, as an integral member of the Catholic Education Office team.
• A career in Catholic education with leadership experience. This experience will be evidenced by:
  • Either System or school leadership roles; and
  • Having led change, with both strategic and operational involvement in policy development and delivery.
• An affinity with regional and remote school communities.
• Interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Post-graduate qualifications, ideally in Catholic theology and/or educational leadership.

Given the collaborative nature of this System of 14 schools and the wonderful diversity of their school communities, it is essential that the passion and joy you bring to the role is combined with sensitivity to the needs of others and a preparedness to ‘roll up your sleeves’.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1486. All we require at the outset is a resume,  email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the CESA schedule.
• We expect to contact a work-related referee; and a Faith-based reference with a Catholic priest prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews. Final references are completed after CESA interviews. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Director, or her nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
• To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.

Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

 Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents. We are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to accommodate neurodiverse candidates; or people with different physical abilities.

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