Position Descriptions
The VCESS 2023 program run in January has concluded. If you're interested in tutoring at a future VCESS program, you can learn more about what's involved in tutoring at VCESS below or add your name to our VCESS 2024 expression of interest mailing list here.
All volunteers with the VCE Summer School are Subject Tutors, but there are a wide range of additional "Special Roles" that can be held alongside subject tutoring.
All VCESS volunteers must:
- Complete at least 6 months of tertiary education before volunteering in January.
- Apply for a Working With Children Check (free for volunteers).
- Attend training in December, or organise an alternative by discussion with the Directors.
- Commit to promoting an inclusive and welcoming environment within the VCESS community for all students and tutors.
- Be a mentor (both personally and academically) to students whilst maintaining a level of professionalism appropriate to the program.
- Follow program rules and procedures (covered in training), and ensure students follow these too.
Impact of COVID-19: The VCESS 2023 program was held in-person on the University of Melbourne Parkville campus for day and residential students, with an online program format for students who could not access VCESS in-person. VCESS runs subject to COVID-19 conditions, which may result in fully online or dual-modality delivery of the program. The Directors are following state and national protocols closely and are prepared to run VCESS online where required, and expect that tutors commit to the full program regardless of whether it is online or in-person.
Below is a description of the roles available at VCESS 2023.
Subject Tutor
Subject Tutors at VCESS provide subject-specific tutoring to year eleven and twelve students, including delivering six hour-long lessons to a class of 10 to 15 students. Each tutor focuses on a specific subject (or a few specific subjects) they know well and helps students start the year with a strong foundation. Applicants should have knowledge and skills for subject area of interest, and good communication, organisation and reliability.
While most of our students are completing the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), it is not necessary to have studied the VCE previously. We recommend a strong knowledge of the subject area, equivalent to having studied the subject or at first-year university level. Additional information on the curriculum for each of the subjects can be found on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website’s VCE Study Design page.
Full Subject Tutor position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Subject Coordinator
Subject coordinators are tutors who have volunteered to write the booklet – a maximum of forty pages – for their subject, and teach at least one class in that subject. This booklet will be distributed to all students and tutors of the subject. Additional training is provided for this role, and subject booklets are due on 28 October, with potential for extensions up to one month. Subject Coordinators must also attend Tutor Refresher Day on 5 January.
Applicants for this role must have an in depth knowledge of their subject area, and excellent leadership and communication skills. Subject Coordinators are provided with subject booklets from the previous year (where available), and must also review any changes to the curriculum listed on the VCAA website. Please note that the Subject Coordinator position can be held alongside any other Special Role.
Full Subject Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Events Team
The Events Team will plan, organise and deliver non-academic events during the program. Duties will include attending training, planning, organisation, set up, clean up and promotion of activities as well as generally promoting fun and a positive culture at VCESS. Please note that planning for events must occur before the program, and this role must also attend Tutor Refresher Day on 5 January.
The Events Coordinator has overall responsibility for the running and management of the Events Team. They oversee the planning and preparation for events before the program and coordinate all activities on the day. They must also fulfil the duties of an Events Team member.
Full Events position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Events Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Group Leader
Group Leaders are responsible for delivering daily updates and relevant support to an assigned group of 8-10 students in a daily meeting and leading their group in activities. They act as a key contact point for students during the program and are crucial to developing an enthusiastic, positive VCESS community.
Group Leader Coordinators oversee the large Group Leader team, including suggesting activities and organising social tutor meetings before and during the program. Applicants should ideally have previous experience as a Group Leader on the program.
Full Group Leader position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Group Leader Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Operations Team
The Operations Team are responsible for assisting with the logistics and administration of the Summer School. Duties will include ensuring that spaces are maintained, equipment for activities and workshops is secured, and that classes are running according to the timetable. The IT Officer will assist with IT-related logistics affecting tutors and students, in addition to general duties as a member of the Operations team.
The Operations Coordinator directs and manages the Operations Team to assist with logistics and administration. The Coordinator needs to plan and manage the systems including tutor and enquiries and one-on-one tutoring, and anticipate and address issues as they arise.
Full Operations position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Operations (IT Officer) position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Operations Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Residential Tutor
The Residential Program is the boarding component of VCESS and accommodates rural and regional students who would otherwise be unable to attend the program. Residential Tutors stay on campus during the program.
The primary aim of this team is to provide pastoral support and supervision for the residential students. Residential Tutors are also responsible for the organisation and execution of the evening residential activities. Applicants must be responsible, supportive team players with the capacity to respond effectively in high-pressure situations.
The Residential Coordinator will be responsible for managing the team, ensuring the residential program runs smoothly and liaising with the Directors and the Welfare Team as necessary. They must also fulfil the duties of a Residential Tutor.
Full Residential position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Residential Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Tutor Support Officer (TSO)
Tutor Support Officers are approachable and experienced tutors who are willing to be a point of contact for tutors and subject coordinators on teaching strategies, classroom management advice and general tutoring assistance. Tutor Support Officers support subject booklet development in September-October and provide workshops and training for tutors training in November-December. Tutor Support Officers will observe all new tutors to the program, and support them in developing their skills.
The Tutor Support Officer Coordinators direct and manage the activities of the Tutor Support Officer team. They oversee the preparation and delivery of training before the program and coordinate all rostering and observations on program. They must also fulfil the duties of a Tutor Support Officer.
Full TSO position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full TSO Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Welfare Team
The Welfare Team ensures the wellbeing of both students and tutors during the program, with a particular focus on mental wellbeing. They are responsible for facilitating an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for all VCESS participants. The selected candidates for this role must adhere to privacy and confidentiality guidelines.
This team includes three autonomous Diversity Representatives who additionally provide specific support to students and tutors of diverse backgrounds. They should collect feedback and notify to the Directors of non-inclusionary policies, activities, or incidents on program. These positions include Disability and Access Representative, Ethnicity and Culture Representative, and Queer Representative.
The Welfare Coordinator directs and manage the activities of the Welfare team, including rostering, observations and reporting on program. They must also fulfil the duties of a Welfare Tutor.
Full Welfare position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Welfare (Disability and Access Representative) position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Welfare (Ethnicity and Culture Representative) position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Welfare (Queer Representative) position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Welfare Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Zine Team
Zine Editors create a daily VCESS publication that contains a schedule for the day’s events, necessary program information, helpful study tips, and fun activities. They promote and edit contributions from tutors and students as well as pitching and developing their own content. Additionally, the team produces the final Megazine at the end of the program.
The Media Officer acts within the Zine Team to generate content which can be used for the Zine and VCESS’s social media platforms. Media Officers will also be required to create content of a lasting nature, including photos and videos, to build a library of program happenings for future use. They must also fulfil the duties of a Zine Editor.
The Zine Coordinator is responsible for managing the team, ensuring it functions smoothly and that all deadlines are met. They must oversee the integration of digital media and Zine distribution. They must also fulfil the duties of a Zine Editor.
Full Zine position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Zine (Media Officer) position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.
Full Zine Coordinator position description (PDF), including time commitment information. Also available as a Word document.