Program Officer

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About the Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.

The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.

With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.

About the Division

The Asset Management Division supports the effective management of school assets through condition assessments, tools for school maintenance planning, by providing training and advice to school leaders, supporting asset information systems, delivering centralised programs for high-risk areas, implementing reform projects to strengthen the system, and implementing initiatives to improve the environmental sustainability of schools.

Freeing up schools to lead and teach

The Small Schools Program is a joint initiative between the VSBA and the Employee Health Safety Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID), as part of the Rural and Regional Support Initiative. ESWID supports the department to provide a work environment and workplace climate that is safe, protects against risks to physical and psychological health. The Small Schools Program supports small rural and regional schools across Victoria to enhance the capability of principals and reduce their administrative load by assisting them to complete their various facilities and OHS obligations. The program currently supports 16 clusters of approximately 21 schools across Victoria.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive professional to join our Small Schools Program as a Program Officer.

This role is pivotal in supporting the team who are working with small schools across rural and regional Victoria, ensuring the successful delivery of the program through effective operations and support. The Program Officer is responsible for a range of activities such as:

Developing program collateral and supporting resources, including papers and program documents
Coordinating and managing responses to stakeholder enquiries
Organising program meetings and supporting documents
Undertaking data collection, analysis and reporting
Identifying opportunities to develop, document and promote better and more systematic business processes for the program
Promoting and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including regional offices and schools
Providing support to managers with recruitment processes, and undertake onboarding and induction activities for new team members.
Providing administration support to the program.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the success and growth of our program while advancing your career within a dynamic and supportive organisation.

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team.

This is a fixed-term, full-time role available to 30 June 2026 and will based in Melbourne CBD.



Attributes

The ideal candidate has an interest in supporting a program to improve and maintain learning environment infrastructure that is safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for a great education. You are passionate about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of school communities in a supportive team environment. You understand the challenges and unique circumstances facing small schools and schools in regional and rural areas and have a commitment to delivering high quality customer service and outcomes for schools. You can demonstrate flexibility and initiative. You have strong verbal and written communication skills, along with a high-level of interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities - all of which are essential to support the program's operational functions.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Proven experience in providing support and advice to projects or programs, preferably in an education environment.
Knowledge of public sector infrastructure and delivery systems.
Demonstrated ability to compile a variety of high-quality reports and data for various stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a supportive and cooperative team environment.
Proven ability to effectively engage and build relationships with stakeholders.
Sound organisation and office management skills, including extensive experience with IT systems like Microsoft applications.
Demonstrated experience in establishing or contributing to work priorities and procedures.
Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description. Applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria and a resume.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Kirk Thomas, Manager - Operations and Program Support, Small Schools Program via email kirk.thomas@education.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:5+pm on Monday 1+ May 2025

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