_{28th May, 2025}

A bilingual school dedicated to integrating Warlpiri and English literacy is seeking a passionate Families as First Teachers (FaFT) Family Educator from Term 3, 2025. You will work within the school to design, deliver, and enhance early learning and parenting programs tailored to the needs of the local community. The position focuses on supporting children aged birth to 3 years and their families, fostering strong foundations in learning and development through culturally responsive and community-led approaches.
 
Located approximately 3 hours from Alice Springs on a sealed road, the school has approximately 220 students ranging from birth to Year 12, with over 95% speaking Warlpiri as their first language. It embraces a Two-Way approach to education, delivering bilingual teaching and learning in both Warlpiri and English. Central to its curriculum is the Warlpiri Theme Cycle, which integrates the NT Indigenous Languages and Culture Curriculum with the Australian Curriculum. Developed collaboratively by Warlpiri Elders and educators, the Warlpiri Theme Cycle forms the foundation of the school’s curriculum. It spans twelve themes over a three-year cycle and plays a vital role in the robust Learning-in-Country program. Education at the school is delivered by a team-teaching model where a Warlpiri Assistant Teacher works with a Classroom Teacher. This approach leverages the rich linguistic and cultural heritage, knowledge, and capabilities that students bring, creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
 
The Families as First Teachers (FaFT) program provides early learning and family support to vulnerable Aboriginal families with children from birth to three years of age, helping to lay the foundation for a successful start to school. Based within the school, FaFT Family Educators work alongside local Aboriginal staff to co-design and deliver culturally responsive, place-based programs that reflect community needs and values. The role fosters cross-agency collaboration to support child development, strengthen family engagement, and respect Aboriginal parenting practices and cultural knowledge. As a FaFT Family Educator, you will play a key role in supporting young children and their families by implementing evidence-based strategies—including the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a)—that enhance early communication, learning, and caregiving. The position focuses on strengthening family capacity, developing trusted relationships within the community, and promoting continuity between home and school. You will contribute to program planning and evaluation, coordinate with early childhood services and schools, and ensure all work aligns with departmental policies and goals for long-term educational success.
 
As one of the largest remote communities in the Central region, the community has a range of services including an art centre, a swimming pool, 2 shops, childcare, mediation services, night patrol service, a shire council office, aged care, NT Govt. Power & Water Office, women’s refuge centre, rangers’ office, dialysis unit and a police station.
 
This is an Australian Government funded position and a contract is available for up to 12 months. Opportunities are available for partners in roles such as maintenance, groundskeeping, administration, cleaning, and classroom support. Additionally, there is a high likelihood of other employment opportunities within the community.
 
Responsibilities

• Deliver responsive and appropriate birth to 3 early learning and family support programs in consultation with community agencies that build on the strengths of families and value add to a range of Aboriginal child and families’ services within the community.
• Provide opportunities to build on the knowledge and skills of families to support optimal development of young children to prepare them for school and lifelong learning.
• Deliver the Abecedarian Approach Australia (3a) which is an evidence-based program to enhance adult child interaction and improve the educational outcomes for children in low socio-economic communities to enhance early learning and parenting to ensure children experience successful transition to preschool.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships and networks with heads of agencies within the community. Liaise with community groups on a range of service matters. Establish and maintain a leadership role within the community in aspects of information and advice on foundations of early literacy, numeracy, childhood development and parenting prior to school entry.
• Work with local Aboriginal staff to foster a positive working environment and build capacity for enhanced performance.
• Provide administrative, performance, and resource reporting for the local FaFT program according to departmental and government business systems, policies and processes.
• Work collaboratively with the preschool, school, school Principal and regional Program Advisor regarding place-based programs and requirements to effectively support families and communities and facilitate seamless transition.

The Perks!
The school will provide the following benefits:

• Salary of $139,296 (plus super)
• Annual remote allowances of $9,894, paid pro-rata fortnightly with salary. $11,836 with dependents.
• Fully subsidised accommodation – ranging form 1 bedroom to 3 bedroom houses
• Fully subsidised electricity
• Uplift at the beginning of your contract

All incentives to be finalised with employer.
 
Footprint Placements will provide benefits to assist you in your transition to remote life, including:

• Trauma Responsive Practice in Education course with the Australian Childhood Foundation.
• Cultural Competency course with Stronger Smarter Institute (one term+ contracts).
• First aid certification (6 month+ contracts).

What You Need to Succeed!
Registered (or ability to) with TRBNT and a NT Working With Children check (Ochre Card) in addition to,

• Early Childhood qualification and/or demonstrated relevant experience in early childhood education and ability to deliver high quality early childhood programs.
• Proven ability to develop critical relationships with families and community partners and schools for successful implementation of responsive place-based programs and demonstrated sound judgement.
• Demonstrated capacity to bring an analytical and strategic approach to the delivery of programs to address community needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal societies and cultures and the impact of issues affecting the early learning and development of young Aboriginal children.
• An ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures.
• Driver Licence

Desirable

• Relevant experience in the development and delivery of adult capacity within the local community.
• Possess Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

How to Apply! Interested? We would love you to provide a CV with a LinkedIn profile (if you possess), a one page summary about yourself and apply via our website, www.footprintplacements.com.au. Do you have a question? Email hello@footprintplacements.com.au. Candidates must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work.

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