Education Assistant - Special Needs

We are seeking to establish a pool of Special Needs Education Assistants for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2026 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.

Cannington Community Education Support Centre (ESC) caters for over 130 secondary aged students from Years 7-12. Independence, achievement, and respect are our Centre’s core values. Our motto Learning for Life reflects our belief that learning occurs throughout life and that our students require specialised curriculum to adequately prepare them.

We have high expectations of our students and work in partnership with parents and other stakeholders to provide authentic and relevant programs. Programs include the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) Courses and Endorsed Programs, Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in Agrifood Operations and middle school programs follow the Western Australian Curriculum.

Find out more about our school by visiting canningtonesc.wa.edu.au or Schools Online

The Role

Suitable applicants will assist teaching staff in the delivery of planned education programs and in promoting a supportive and productive learning environment. Our staff work under general supervision and autonomously and are required to contribute advice and expertise, actively collaborating with colleagues to support student and whole school achievement.

Suitable applicants should be organised, committed and have a broad range of skills and strategies to meet the needs of diverse groups of learners with disability. A visible commitment to enhancing student learning through ongoing reflective practice and engagement in professional learning opportunities is desirable.

As the Education Assistant – Special Needs, you should be highly engaged in the development of student independence through planned and explicit approaches to support their self-management and self-regulation skills. This includes involvement in the development, monitoring and review of student programs and plans.

Suitable applicants should be competent in the use of ICT (Information Communication Technology). Knowledge or experience of Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN), assistive technology, BoardMaker, visual schedules, low tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Discrete Trial Training, Direct Instruction, escalation profiling, monitoring student progress and the maintenance of student records is highly desirable.

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 Catherine Houden, Deputy Principal, on (08) 9351 2480 or emailing Catherine.Houden@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
• A three (3) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
• 1. Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills, including report writing and the ability to effectively interact with students with special needs, and liaise with parents, teachers and community members and assist teachers in understanding students where necessary.
• 2. Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills with the ability to contribute to a professional team and provide advice and evaluation in the development of the education program, including special education and therapy programs where they have been implemented.
• 3. Demonstrated ability to assist professionals in the implementation and evaluation of education programs, including special education and, if required, occupational and/or physiotherapy programs.
• 4. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
• 5. Demonstrated effective organisational skills that will assist in the delivery of effective education programs and subsequent feedback and evaluation to teachers or psychologists.
• 6. Demonstrated ability to assist with the general health and well being of students.

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: IPS/SS989140

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 8 September 2025.