Catholic Life, Mission and Religious Education Leader – Catholic Schools Office, Armidale NSW

The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) Diocese of Armidale serves 24 systemic schools around the New England and North West region of NSW. This is comprised of:

• 19 primary schools
• two central (K-10)
• three secondary (7-12)

The Catholic Diocese of Armidale is the second-largest diocese geographically in NSW and within our boundaries are the major centres of Armidale, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri, Inverell; and 13 other towns including; Uralla, Walcha, Guyra, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Walgett, Manilla, Warialda, Barraba, Mungindi, Wee Waa, Boggabri and Quirindi.

There are approximately 1,000 employees in teaching and non-teaching roles and the CSO aids schools in building a catholic professional learning community for almost 6,000 students across the Diocese.

Staff at the CSO are responsible for providing educational, administrative, information technology, industrial, financial and employee services support to these schools. All employees of the CSO have a shared vision, to work together and with school teams to improve learning, teaching and wellbeing; and to do this work with a common purpose centred on a contemporary Catholic worldview of bringing all to the fullness of life.

Living in Armidale

Armidale is a city in the Northern Tablelands of NSW. With an estimated population of 25,000 it is the administrative centre for the Northern Tablelands region. It is approximately halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and two hours from the coast.

Armidale has a unique blend of culture, state of the art technology, educational diversity and natural beauty. It enjoys a warm summer, tones of amber during the autumn, a crisp winter and an exhilarating spring.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the CSO website located at http://www.arm.catholic.edu.au/  You can also visit Armidale’s YouTube channel to access various videos – click here.

As people progress through this process, Trak Search will also ensure people are provided documentation covering Vision, Mission & Values; and the strategic plan ‘Towards 2025’.

We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.

Position Overview

Position Title: Catholic Life, Mission and Religious Education Leader

Reports to: Director of Schools

Position Purpose

The Catholic Life, Mission and Religious Education Leader provides religious, educational and organisational leadership and service faithful to Catholic educational aspirations of the Diocese of Armidale and to the Armidale Catholic Schools mission.

The Catholic Life, Mission and Religious Education Leader demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and accountability to the Director, the Bishop, Diocese, Parishes, school communities, and fellow staff members for what is undertaken, how it is undertaken and the results achieved.

The role supports the implementation of the Towards 2025 Strategic Plan for Catholic Schooling in the Diocese of Armidale. This is achieved by providing system leadership through coordination, advocacy, representation, policy development and delivery of services to the Armidale Catholic school system to support the mission of Catholic education in the diocese.

The Catholic Life, Mission and Religious Education Leader leads the ongoing strategic development of Catholic educational communities based on attachment to Jesus Christ, Catholic Principles and Values, and commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church in Australia. The role works closely with School Performance Leader/s, the Subject Matter Expert: Mission & RE and builds connections with Parish Priests and Parish Administrators.

At a later stage in this project you will be provided a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

Reporting to the Director of Schools, the role holder is a member of the Armidale Catholic Schools Leadership Team and works with the Director and the Leadership Team, ensuring there is cultural alignment and effective service delivery to promote the educational mission of the Church.

There are two positions reporting to this role. An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Reason for Vacancy

This is a newly created role.

Commencement

While negotiable, the successful person is expected to commence by January 2023 in preparation for the new school year.

Location and Travel

The Catholic Schools Office is situated in Barney St, Armidale. Given the nature of the role, there will be time spent travelling to parishes and schools.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
• A comprehensively insured vehicle is available as part of the role and will be supplied in accordance with CSO guidelines.
• Salary packaging is available.
• Payment of reasonable relocation expenses.
• A mobile phone and laptop are provided.
• The CSO provides additional, ex gratia leave during the Christmas period.
• There are ten ‘time in lieu’ days provided for people required to travel and so regularly away from home. This leave must be taken within the year it falls due, i.e., it does not accumulate.
• Further study and professional development opportunities.
• The successful candidate will be subject to mandatory child protection screening including a working with children check and a National Criminal History Record Check.
• The successful candidate will hold a current driver’s license and be willing and able to undertake travel to fulfil the requirements of this position.
• The initial contract period is for 5 years (with a standard 6-month probation period).

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• A practising Catholic with an appreciation of and commitment to Catholic life and practice.
• An experienced educational leader with a record of excellence in Catholic education over at least 10 years.
• The experience, capacity and desire to further develop the Catholic identity of our schools and strengthen parish/school relationships.
• The ability to act strategically and systematically.
• High order communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Post-graduate qualifications in Religious Education and/or Theology and educational leadership; with a record of ongoing professional development.
• Comply with the Framework for the Accreditation of Staff in Catholic Schools

Primary and secondary school leaders, such as Religious Education Coordinators, Assistant Principals and Principals; as well as Education Officers and Mission/Faith Formation leaders, are encouraged to explore this opportunity.

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 TS1491. 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:

Please note: the longer time period for accepting applications is to ensure people are not disadvantaged by the school holiday break.

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 CSO schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference; 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 CSO 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 his 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.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.