- Newly created role of Deputy Director
The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is home to 105,000 Catholics in twenty-eight Parishes living along the picturesque coastline of New South Wales that extends from the Tweed River in the North to Camden Haven in the South.
The Bishop of Lismore is Most Reverend Geoffrey Jarrett, D.D. Bishop Jarrett was appointed a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 2000, and his episcopal Ordination took place in St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore, on 22 February 2001. Upon the retirement of Bishop Satterthwaite he became the fifth Bishop of Lismore on 1 December, 2001.
Catholic Schools Office
The system of Catholic Schools operates under the direction of Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett DD, who is advised in policy matters by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Council. The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) operates as the secretariat to the Council. It is important to understand that the Diocese of Lismore is distinct from other Diocesan school systems in NSW and the ACT in that Catholic schools in the Diocese are operated as Parish Schools, an integral part of the mission of each parish. The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) supports each Parish Priest in this mission and is responsible for implementation of policy and as a support and resource group to schools.
Catholic education in the Diocese of Lismore is a long standing provider of school education on the north coast of New South Wales. 45 Catholic primary and secondary schools operate in all major urban centres and many smaller towns from Tweed Heads to Laurieton. All Catholic schools seek to provide a comprehensive, quality education in a welcoming and secure environment.
The Lismore Catholic Schools Office currently has three service teams to meet the needs of school communities:
- School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team (SEACS)
- Educational Services Team (EST)
- School Resources Services Team (SRS)
These three teams are each led by an Assistant Director reporting to the Director of Catholic Schools. Until the appointment of this new role, the Director and the three Assistant Directors make up the Executive of the Catholic Schools Office.
The structure within each team varies to meet the needs of the area however each team has a number of Consultants and Officers who manage the work of the CSO and the team with school communities. Each team is provided with secretarial and administrative support as appropriate. CSO staff are visible in schools and classrooms, working directly with teachers and principals.
Further Information
Additional information can be viewed on the Catholic Schools Office website located at http://www.lism.catholic.edu.au/
Position Overview
Position Title: Deputy Director of Catholic Schools
Reports to: Director of Catholic Schools
Purpose and Context of Position
Catholic education in the Diocese of Lismore has been engaged for some years in a process of cultural and structural change to more effectively serve the mission entrusted to it by Jesus Christ and His Church. This process of cultural and structural change is being undertaken as a result of the need to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Pastoral Letter written by the Bishops of NSW and the ACT. This document, now ten years old, is still the blueprint for reform and strategic direction for Catholic education in the Diocese of Lismore. Its implementation has placed increased demands and complexity upon the office of the Director of Catholic Schools.
The Director now requires a person to assist him in proactively taking forward this strategic alignment and integration of all current and emerging programs in service of Catholic education. The appointee will have the capacity to learn, appreciate, co-lead and co-design the ongoing development of this strategic direction and restructuring of Catholic Schools Office services to schools.
ln order to support the appointee in taking up this exciting role, appropriate opportunity for formation and professional development will be provided as may be required. This senior leadership position is directly responsible to the Director of Catholic Schools who delegates the following responsibilities.
Key Areas of Responsibility
The Deputy Director of Catholic Schools performs the role:
- Understanding and at the service of Catholic Schools at a Crossroads which provides the blueprint for the reform of Catholic education in our schools in the 21st Century. The document’s major recommendations challenge that our schools:
– are truly Catholic in their identity and life
– are centres of the New Evangelisation
– enable our students to achieve high levels of ‘Catholic religious literacy’ and practice
– are led and staffed by people who will contribute to these goals. - As well as understanding and at the service of the Mission Statement entrusted to Catholic Education, the document Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore Foundational Values for Catholic ldentity and Mission, the Vision Statement and Strategic Directions Document 2016-2018, the Proclaim Lismore 2013-2020 Catholic Culture Change program, and all magisterial documents on Catholic Education.
- Maintaining a higher order understanding of all matters affecting the sustainability and effectiveness of Catholic Education.
- Responsible for coordination of the work and operations of the Office of Director of Catholic Schools.
- Ensuring the coordination, co-designing and alignment of Catholic Schools Office services to schools.
- Working collaboratively, generatively and strategically as a member of the Catholic Schools Office Executive.
- Witnessing to an interiorised and active faith in Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church.
- Deputising as required for the Director of Catholic Schools.
- May operate beyond the normal areas of responsibility as required by the Director of Catholic Schools.
Team Structure
This role reports to the Director of Catholic Schools and will work in a collaborative manner with three Assistant Directors, also reporting to the Director:
- Assistant Director, School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team
- Assistant Director, Educational Services Team
- Assistant Director, School Resources Services Team
The creation of this role will involve team restructuring with six school consultants moving from their current teams, to report to the Deputy Director role. This will enable the Deputy Director and his/her team to work most closely with school communities, with the focus upon school improvement.
Reason for Vacancy
This is a new role, created after a strategic review to enable the Director of Catholic Schools and the CSO team to further develop the support provided to their school communities.
Commencement
It is anticipated the successful person will be able to commence in this role no later than January 2017, although a term 4 2016 start date would be ideal.
Location
The Catholic Schools Office is located in Dawson St, Lismore NSW.
Conditions of Employment
- Remuneration will comprise salary (negotiated with the successful applicant) plus 9.5% superannuation and motor vehicle.
- The motor vehicle will be provided for work and personal use.
- Leave: 4 weeks annual leave; 2 weeks stand down leave; ex gratia leave between Christmas and New Year.
- The initial contract term of the appointment will be 5 years.
- Renewal and Development: there is an annual appraisal process; you would also develop and complete an annual personal professional learning plan.
- Relocation allowance, if required, will be provided for the successful applicant.
- The successful applicant will undertake a Working with Children Check and a National Police Checking Service (Crimtrac) prior to appointment.
- Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people able to demonstrate alignment with the following:
- Personal commitment to the teachings and practise of the Catholic Faith;
- A career in Catholic education, with significant leadership experience;
- Commitment to team building and collaborative leadership;
- An understanding of contemporary curriculum issues and thinking;
- Highly developed interpersonal, communication and presentation skills;
- Strategic thinking & planning and the skill to facilitate the involvement of stakeholders in shaping and implementing a vision;
- An affinity for rural & regional areas;
- Post-graduate qualifications, ideally with study in theology, and commitment to ongoing professional growth.
Are You Interested in this Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, there are two options for you to proceed:
- If interested, but have questions requiring a response before deciding whether to progress, then either (a) telephone our Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website with your questions.
- If and when you have enough information to start this process, then simply email us at mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website stating your interest in this role and nominating ref number TS1338; also providing a contact telephone number.
At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria, provide a resume or any application document – just a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Deputy Director TS1338’ and providing your contact telephone number. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
The Selection Process
Key dates are as follows:
Date of project launch/advertising | Fri 29th / Sat 30th July |
Trak Search discussions commence | From Mon 8th Aug |
Latest anticipated date for applications | Wed 17th Aug |
Initial reference checks by Trak Search | From week commencing Mon 22nd Aug |
CSO review meeting & short listing | Week commencing 5th Sept |
Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 12th or 19th Sept |
Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
- Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
- A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
- At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a resume or lengthy, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or provide any referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
- A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
- At the appropriate time (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent.
- We expect to contact one work related referee prior to short listing, with additional references (including with a Priest referee) completed later in the process. You should always expect that prior to reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant time period.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to short listing, in confidence, to the Director of Catholic Schools unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
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.