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 Group

Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.

About the Role

The VPS 5, 0.9 FTE fixed term `Senior Program Advisor - Senior Wellbeing Engagement Officer' position is available from 25th January 2027 to 17th December 2027. Tertiary qualifications in education, nursing alliend health or a relevant field is desirable.

This role is based in the Sale or Bairnsdale Office and is located in the Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services Branch, Southern Melbourne Area, South Eastern Victoria Region, SRS. The role reports to the Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services Branch Manager.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary area team, the primary responsibility of this role is to support schools to implement policy and identify strategies to engage young people at risk of disengagement from education.

The successful candidate will have strong people skills, data analysis capability and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders to support and implement government policy and programs in relation to student wellbeing, engagement and attendance.

Attributes

This successful applicant will demonstrate the following attributes and capabilities:

contributes to the design and support of wrap around models for children and young people at risk of disengaging from education
works collaboratively with department staff including Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforce staff in the development of network strategies and assists Senior Education Improvement Leaders in leveraging local partnerships to address the needs of all children, particularly vulnerable and disengaged children and young people
leads and facilitates efforts to support vulnerable children and young people
undertakes data analysis, reporting current area attendance rates and themes to area leadership
helps broker solutions for highly complex individual cases beyond the capacity of local providers and networks, and to deliver capability building activities
facilitates collaborative partnerships across the region, and
promotes and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders including schools, area staff including health wellbeing inclusion workforces; and external community agencies, services and Departments such as the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: A relevant tertiary qualification in a related field, e.g. Education, Nursing, Allied Health.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check and have a current Victorian Drivers Licence.

How to Apply

Please apply by submitting your CV, a cover letter and a response to the key selection criteria stated within the position description. To assess your application the selection panel will consider your response to the key selection criteria relevant to the role description and attributes as stated above.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

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 Christina Rush, Manager Health Wellbeing and Specialist Services via 0428 858 605.

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 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November 2026.