Paw Pals Program Facilitator

About the role:

Are you passionate about education and animals? Here's your chance to make a real impact with both!

We're on the lookout for enthusiastic Part-Time Program Facilitators to join the Paw Pals Program at MacKillop Family Services — a unique initiative that combines the power of education with the magic of therapy dogs.

As a Paw Pals Facilitator, you’ll deliver carefully designed Animal Assisted Education (AAE) sessions alongside our amazing, trained therapy dogs. These sessions aim to boost learning outcomes, build confidence, and create unforgettable moments for students in schools and care settings.

This role is part of our vibrant Education and Engagement Team and involves dynamic outreach work across various school campuses and care environments. No two days will be the same — and every day, you’ll be changing lives.

If you’re looking for meaningful work that brings wagging tails and bright smiles into the classroom, we want to hear from you!

We have 2 Permanent Part-Time (exact hours and location to be negotiated) opportunities based across Melbourne and Barwon within our MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs/ Paw Pals Program. The position reports to the ​Paw Pals Operations Coordinator.

Key selection criteria

•  Experience working with a therapy dog, preferably in an educational setting.
• Relevant qualification and experience in working with animal assisted therapies, as well as owning a qualified therapy dog with current certification and the capacity to undertake direct work with students.
• Experience working with children and young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education and an understanding of how trauma impacts on learning.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact:

Jasmin Salaharis at Jasmin.Salaharis@mackillop.org.au or on 0427 352 516. We are happy to answer your questions and provide additional information about this exciting opportunity.

Our Offer:

• Generous salary and leave entitlements in line with the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022.
• Salary packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay).
• Discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family.
• Paid on-site training that contributes to your professional development.
• Regular supervision.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges.

Key Requirements:

• A certified therapy dog;
• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Child Safe Standards

MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs are committed to providing child-safe environments. Our programs actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all participants, and all staff are dedicated to protecting individuals from abuse or harm, in line with legal obligations, including adherence to child safe standards.