Position: School Officer - Defence School Mentor
Commencing Date: Term 3, 2025
Tenure: Fixed Term, Term Time
Hours: 15 hours per week
Salary Range: $38.31 - $40.18 per hour pending experience
Closing Date: Monday, 11 August 2025 unless filled prior

St Benedict's Catholic School features the highest standard of education and learning facilities synonymous with Catholic schools across Townsville city. St Benedict’s Catholic School nurtures learning success by promoting student engagement within a flexible environment. St Benedict’s Catholic School embraces sustainable practices for the natural and built environment fostering a love for creation and aspiring to be good stewards. Our school’s culture reflects the grace and spirit of St Benedict, known as a gentle, dignified, strong, peace-loving man, who lived a contemplative life and honoured ‘God in all of life’.

About the role

St Benedict's Catholic School, Shaw is seeking an experienced and dedicated School Officer - Defence School Mentor (DSM) to commence Term 3, 2025. This role is a Fixed Term, Term Time position completing 15 hours per week and concludes 5 December 2025.

The Defence School Mentor (DSM) role provides specialised, on-site support to meet the needs of Defence students and their families within the school community. Assisting the transition of Defence families and students into and out of the school during postings, the role provides practical assistance to Defence families and supports the social and emotional wellbeing of Defence students within schools.

Key Accountabilities

The Defence School Mentor will represent the school in a professional, warm, friendly and efficient manner. Duties include:

Supporting Defence students in the school environment by developing welcoming activities and activities to provide support during transition into a new school or times of parental absence.

Development of farewelling activities to prepare Defence families and students for relocation to a new school.

Provide support to Defence students experiencing any social, emotional or academic challenges.

Directing students to school, Defence or external programs, services or opportunities that meet their support needs.

Increasing awareness and appreciation of the unique Defence lifestyle and associated challenges by building capacity among school staff to respond to the social and emotional needs of students from Defence families.

Mandatory Criteria

Current Working with Children Suitability Card - The successful candidate will require a paid Blue Card before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by Queensland Government

Strong understanding of the Defence lifestyle

Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville

Desirable Criteria

Certificate IV in Youth Work, Chaplaincy or Pastoral Care or equivalent or higher qualification – this qualification must include competencies in ‘making appropriate referrals’ and mental heath

Experience in the education sector is highly regarded

For detailed information about the role, please refer to the Position Description.

What we offer

Competitive Salary Range:

Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading

Access to salary packaging options to maximise employee benefits and salary

Modern facilities, equipment and resources

Access to additional Employer Superannuation Contributions

Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service

14 Weeks’ paid parental leave

Deferred Salary Scheme

Access to corporate health schemes

Induction processes and professional learning programs

Access to Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing programs and initiatives

Our Organisation
Townsville Catholic Education provides a supportive, flexible working environment where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos. We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our students. Our staff are recognised as being central to achieving our mission.

Townsville Catholic Education has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people and/or adults-at-risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has a zero tolerance to abuse of children or adults-at-risk.

How to apply

Click on the link to apply via the Careers page.