ES1-2 Food Technology Assistant

Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference:

Location Profile University High School is a large inner city secondary school, catering to the local area including Parkville, Carlton, North Melbourne and the Melbourne CBD. The school has a rich and proud history of providing outstanding educational opportunities to its unique and diverse local community, which represents a wide range of language, cultural and socio economic backgrounds. Our students are the heart and soul of our school, and enrolment growth has been rapid over the past five years. In 2025 we have over 1975 students enrolled. All Year 9 students are based at the newly opened Lonsdale St campus for their entire program, and up to 150 Year 11 and 12 students are enrolled in the specialist science program, Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences (EBS). This is a select entry program, but UHS itself is a neighbourhood, not a select entry, school. UHS is also the host school for the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC), the first of the state wide Science Centres, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.

In 2025, the school is in the fourth year of its Strategic Plan and revised leadership structure. This Strategic Plan has had a focus on developing consistent, collaborative and whole school practices to support strong student teacher relationships and connection to school; and to enhance student learning growth through responsive and explicit teaching. This has led to the development of new, whole school frameworks for both relationships and engagement (using BSEM and SWBPS) and for teaching and learning.

The school's values were redefined in 2022. They are:

• Curiosity: We are open to new ideas about the world and each other. We seek to learn, explore and understand.
• Kindness: We treat each other and our world with respect, humanity and empathy.
• Excellence: We uphold high standards, challenging ourselves to grow in all we do. We persevere and show resilience to be our best.
• Connection: We know that we are stronger together. We work to ensure that all belong equally in our community.

Selection Criteria

• SC1 Demonstrated capacity to coordinate operations as a Food Technology Assistant, adapting to changing conditions as necessary.
• SC2 Demonstrated capacity to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment with regard to OH&S and food handling standards and methodologies.
• SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position. EG food ordering, emails, Word and Excel.
• SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively as a member of a busy team and to communicate with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and suppliers.
• SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.

Role An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

Responsibilities The Food Technology Assistant supports students and staff by ensuring the efficient operation of the Food Tech & Kitchen work area. Key responsibilities include:

• Co ordinate, organise and determine work priorities within the work area in relation to preparation of ingredients and equipment, and cleaning of facility.
• Preparation of ingredients and specialised equipment for all practical classes as per food orders and the kitchen schedule, including portioning of large batches into individual student portions.
• Communication with teaching staff on the requirements of classes.
• Preparation of ingredient substitutions for dietary requirements as per individual student requirements and/or teacher instruction.
• Preparation of components of practical tasks (e.g., pre cooking an element for student use).
• Preparation of teacher's demonstration materials and equipment.
• Supervision of students during collection of ingredients and equipment and provision of advice on correct technique as necessary.
• Actively encourage safe use of the kitchen by students and report behavioural or safety issues to the supervising teacher.
• Maintenance of clean and organised food stores and pantry.
• Maintenance of OH&S requirements of Kitchen, including correct storage and use of chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.
• Calculation of food order requirements based on teacher stated curriculum, taking into account present stock levels, perishability of foodstuffs and number of classes running for the week.
• Ordering of required food in time for class requirements.
• Liaison with external providers for prompt delivery, discounts on bulk purchase and best price for goods ordered.
• Receive, check and appropriately store deliveries, maintaining food safety processes and quality control at all times.
• Process receipts and invoices as per school procedures.
• Liaise with Food Tech teaching staff regarding requirements for practical work, setting a priority system where necessary.
• Be familiar with the functions and operations of kitchen equipment for the purposes of testing and preparing equipment for demonstration. Monitor and report damaged equipment to Facilities team and/or Domain Leader.
• Undertake daily, weekly and end of term cleaning tasks as required; identifying and adapting to needs.
• As part of the Food Tech team, provide feedback for the purposes of the review, evaluation and modification of cooking practicals.

Other Tasks

• Attend professional development and training required by the school, and actively seek opportunities to increase knowledge, experience and skills.
• Perform duties to a high professional and ethical standard.
• Other duties as required by Principal & Business Manager, in line with role classification.

Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
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