Education Assistant - Special Needs

Education Assistant - Special Needs

Branch: Harrisdale Senior High School

Division: Independent Public School - South Metropolitan Education Region

Salary: Level 2/3, $34.87 - $39.37 per hour (EA (Gov) GA 2025)

Work Type: Permanent - Full Time

FTE: 1.0

Location: Harrisdale

Closing Date: 2025-11-24 4:30 PM

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2026

Harrisdale Senior High School (SHS) is one of the largest schools in Western Australia, attracting students from diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With a student population of over 2300, approximately 180 teaching staff, and 70 support staff, the school offers an inclusive and comprehensive education for Years 7 to 12. It is the school of choice for many local and international families.

Our commitment to the intellectual, creative, and social development of students is evident through our stimulating and relevant programs, orderly teaching, and classroom practices. We place a strong emphasis on pastoral care and academic achievement, supported by robust community involvement and parental support.

As one of the state’s newest schools, Harrisdale SHS is already recognised for its outstanding achievements and results. We offer a comprehensive Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) program and place a high emphasis on the quality and delivery of General and Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses to provide a holistic education.

Our specialist programs cater to a variety of student needs and interests, including a Gifted and Talented program, specialised music and sports programs (such as Cricket, Volleyball and Netball), numerous after-school clubs, sporting teams, and a developing language program in French and Japanese. We pride ourselves on the ethos that all students will achieve success through excellence in teaching and learning.

Harrisdale SHS has a strong, positive culture where teachers play a key role in ensuring our school values of Care, Respect, Responsibility, and Excellence are upheld and reflected in all actions.

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

The Role

Harrisdale SHS is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Education Assistant – Special Needs to join their team of dedicated staff.

The Education Assistant – Special Needs should, under teacher direction, assist with the implementation and delivery of education programs. The Education Assistant should also assist with implementing individual student or small group programs/demonstrations and assist teachers in the delivery of planned education programs. Additionally, when required, the Education Assistant ideally will provide feedback on education and participate in the evaluation process relating to the achievement of goals in special education.

The Education Assistant should ideally have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with staff across the whole school to create and maintain a supportive, inclusive education program to meet the specific needs of the students. They should be organised and able to use initiative to assist the teacher with the general care and well-being of students and maintenance of the learning environment. It is desirable for the successful applicant to have knowledge of or experience working with students with special needs in a mainstream environment.

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 Kirsten Dowd, Associate Principal, on (08) 9397 8000 or emailing kirsten.nangle@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 two (2) 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
  • Demonstrated good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to interact with students with special needs, parents and teaching professionals on the provision of educational programs, and to assist teachers in understanding students where necessary.
  • Demonstrated good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as part of a team in the evaluation of educational programs, including special education and therapy programs where these have been implemented.
  • Demonstrated good organisational skills that will assist in the delivery and development of effective education programs to students and subsequent feedback to teaching professionals or psychologists.
  • Demonstrated ability to assist teachers or therapists in implementing educational programs, including special education and, should this be a requirement of the position, occupational and/or physiotherapy programs.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of health and physical disabilities in students and adolescents.
  • Demonstrated ability to assist with 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/SS1007979

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 24 November 2025.