Special Education Advisor

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our ākonga in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

We are looking for a Special Education Advisor to be part of a close-knit team that maximises learning and promotes social inclusion for children and young people with learning support needs.

As a Special Education Advisor, you’ll play a critical role in our region’s Learning Support team by:

• Identifying patterns or contributing factors that may be influencing learning, wellbeing, and behaviour.

• Working collaboratively with a team around the child, including educators, parents, caregivers and whānau, to enhance understanding about the child and their behaviours.

• Helping the adults around the child to make changes to the learning environment so that their behaviour can be more effectively managed, and the situation can be stabilised/made safer. This includes supporting the child to develop more pro-social ways of responding, and improving their participation, wellbeing and learning outcomes.

• Facilitating access to wider services and support, in response to individual needs, for example speech and language therapy and local agencies.

• Collaboratively assessing, planning, developing, supporting and monitoring the implementation of effective individual (or group) learning plans.

• Enhancing inclusive practices in early learning services, schools and other educational settings.

This permanent, full-time role is based at our Paraparaumu office offering a fantastic lifestyle and work-life balance opportunity working in a great location with beaches, recreation activities, great shopping, and services and only 40 minutes from downtown Wellington.  See the following link for more information on the Kāpiti Coast as a destination: (Visit the Kāpiti Coast - WellingtonNZ

Salary range: $69,966 - $118,450 per annum + 3% kiwi saver.  The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the  job description here.

We also offer:

• Flexible working arrangements where everyone feels valued & supported.

• The ability to purchase extra days leave.

• A range of employee network groups.

• An inclusive environment that encourages your personal cultural competency journey.

• Development and learning, including mentorship programmes and internal secondments.

• Wellness initiatives to support your overall health and wellbeing.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role, you will need to have the following capabilities and competencies:

• a teaching qualification with a minimum of three years’ teaching experience

• a Postgraduate qualification in Special Education is desirable

• extensive knowledge, experience and skills in supporting children and young people with severe and challenging learning needs/behaviours in a classroom or other relevant settings

• experience in and willingness to work collaboratively and support other education professionals and agencies to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with children, young people and their families/whānau and teachers across a diverse range of settings

• the ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga, including promoting tikanga and te reo Māori

• a genuine commitment to evidence-based interventions which demonstrate inclusive education practice and contribute to raising student achievement

• a full current driver licence as travel is a requirement of this role

• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

 About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Wellington region Matea Ako Tautoko team has 140 committed, hardworking, and skilled specialist staff (across a range of occupations) who care very much about the ākonga, kai ako, whanau, kai awhina we support. We also care about our colleagues and work collaboratively and supportively together on the rewarding mahi we do. We have fun team activities and social times in our teams and office.

As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level, including relationships with iwi and hapū.

Our Learning Support specialists work closely with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and early childhood educators in English and Māori medium settings and other agencies to help maximise learning outcomes and promote social inclusion. (Please see the following link: Recruitment within Learning Support – Careers in Education)

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

 If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Service Manager Colin Tarr on 027 243 4951 and/or colin.tarr@educaion.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight – Monday 20 January 2025.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.