Are you a uni or TAFE student or retiree looking for some part-time work that will make a difference to the lives of school students?

The NSW Department of Education is recruiting Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) to accompany students with special needs on their transport to and from school.

There are currently 2400 ATSOs who support and supervise 12,800 students across the state in their journey to school as part of the Department’s Assisted School Travel Program.

The program plays a significant role in meeting the needs of eligible students with disability by providing free specialised transport to and from school where parents and carers are unable to provide or arrange transport for their child.

Assisted School Travel Program director Rick Seretis said there had been increased demand for the program in the past 12 months and there was a need for travel support officers in most parts of the state.

Molly McDonald, 22, works as an ATSO at Tallowood School in Kellyville in north-western Sydney, where she is also employed as a School Learning Support Officer. After school hours, Ms McDonald works as an NDIS support worker.

She said working as an ATSO was varied and rewarding.

“It allows me to make a difference to the lives of students with disability,” Ms McDonald said.

“The part-time hours give me flexibility to perform other work in the disability sector.”

ATSO Abby Pitt, 20, is also employed as a School Learning Support Officer at Tallowood School.

“I love seeing the students’ smiling faces in the morning when they get on the bus,” Ms Pitt said.

“I enjoy personalising their travel journey by making up games that each student would enjoy.”

ATSOs are employed through the Department on a temporary basis during the school year.

Mr Seretis said the Department provided all the necessary training and support to help people succeed as an ATSO.

“Feedback from our staff is that this is an incredibly satisfying role that allows workers to give back to the community and also be free to meet other responsibilities,” he said.

“For some workers it can also be an income to supplement their pensions without impacting on their eligibility.

“The job also appeals to a lot of young people who can work as an ATSO in the mornings and afternoons and attend university or TAFE during the day.”

Visit the website for more information on how to apply to be an ATSO.