Early Childhood Educator (Identified)

Early Childhood Educator (identified)

Part Time Permanent

Based in Cairns

Salary: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Enterprise Agreement (2023)

Social, Community, Homecare and Disability Employees and Grade  4

$44.63- $48.02 per hour

Wuchopperen Health Service

  ‘A culturally dynamic community where everyone thrives in health and wellbeing’.

Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns. 

Benefits of working with Wuchopperen: 

We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:

• Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
• 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
• Commitment to professional development.
• EAP for employees and family members.

About the role:

This position is a partnership role with The Benevolent Society and is required to deliver programs and services that promote positive approaches to parenting, early childhood education and care across two locations.

The Early Childhood Educator is supervised by the Coordinator, Children and Family Centre and takes operational direction on a day-to-day basis by Benevolent Society Early Years co-ordinator. The position has no supervisory responsibilities

This position works closely with other members of the Children and Family Services and maintains regular contact with other program staff to ensure effective outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities:

• Ensure children and families have access to a range of services and programs to support and maximise opportunities learning and development.
• Provide early childhood programs and services that are physically and culturally accessible to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and their families and build upon culturally responsive existing programs and services.
• Work closely with families to support access to early childhood programs and services that best meets the needs of the child.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Early Years Framework and an understanding of state and national standards.
• Plan safe and stimulating child-centered programs that are balanced, flexible, and culturally sensitive that cater for children’s individual needs, strengths and interests, supports self-esteem, personal responsibilities and choices.
• Promote and encourage parent/carers to participate in play-based activities which promote child development.
• Develop strategies that respond to the emerging needs of families by participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintain confidential and accurate, real time client information records, statistics and other records and provide reports as required.
• Participate in organisational and community activities to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Work within Wuchopperen’s Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
• Other duties as required, within your skills, experience and capacity.

 Core Capabilities:

Assessment of merit for this role will be based on the knowledge, skills and experience, potential for development and personal qualities. The competencies listed below are considered to the most critical for success in this role.

For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:

• Relevant qualification and/or experience in delivering Early Childhood Education programs to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated understanding of strengths-based approaches to working with families, parenting and behaviour management techniques and knowledge of early childhood development.
• Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders as well as effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen.

Qualifications and experience:

• It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B
• It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Proof of qualifications and current registration is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• The Early Childhood Educator is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
• It is a condition of employment that all employees are holders of a current and valid ‘blue card’ or Working with Children Check. This is at your cost. Employment cannot continue or commence if you do not have a ‘blue card’ or if your ‘blue card’ is withdrawn or is disqualified.
• Possession of a current CPR certificate or commitment to obtain within the first six weeks of employment is essential.
• Possession of a current Queensland “CA” class driver’s licence is essential.
• Commitment to work within the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control including a willingness to develop the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• All employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, students, visitors, volunteers and fellow staff members. Employees must report any hazards or incidents, co-operate in emergency drills, undertake Workplace H&S training as required, and lodge risk assessments for all external and internal risk activities.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and the ability to use or willingness to gain proficiency in the client information management systems.
• Consent to a broader criminal history check at Wuchopperen’s cost.

Requirements:

• Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).
• Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• Possess a current driver’s licence.
• A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen’s policies and procedures.
• Successful applicant to consent to a broader Criminal history check 

Applicants who do not address these requirements, will not be considered for shortlisting.

Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government’s Blue Card Services website for more information.

How to apply:

To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit a cover letter (no more than two pages), addressing the Core Capabilities and an up-to-date Resume including two referees and complete the screening questions provided from Employment Hero.

For more information contact Nichole, Manager, Children and Family Services on 07 4080 1166‬

The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 24th August 2026