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. The department supports a culture of leadership, learning and renewal in all workplaces with opportunities for career development and advancement.

Further information about the department is available at: www.vic.gov.au/education

About the Division

The Department of Education is the Victorian Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services under delegation from the Secretary. The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) in the department regulates and quality assesses Victorian ECEC services. It drives the delivery of high-quality services and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of Victorian children attending those services.

QARD regulates approximately 4,900 services including family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten programs, as required by the Education and Care Services National Law 2010 (National Law). QARD also regulates around 180 services operating under the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 (Children's Services Act); these include occasional care and limited hours services.  

QARD is responsible for: 

• approving providers and services as required by the National Law and Children's Services Act
• monitoring service compliance and conducting investigations in response to notifications and complaints 
• assessment and rating of family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten programs against the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and School Age Care
• supporting legislative policy development.

QARD is also the integrated sector regulator of the Child Safe Standards for all early childhood services in Victoria.

Further information about QARD is available at: www.vic.gov.au/role-quality-assessment-and-regulation-division

About the Role

An exciting opportunity is available for a highly motivated individual with strong attention to detail and a passion for meaningful work to support the North Western Victoria Regional (NWVR) team within QARD with the compliance and quality assessment of ECEC services.

As a Senior Children's Services Authorised Officer, you will play an active frontline role in promoting quality improvement in ECEC services by conducting assessment and rating visits across regional and metropolitan areas and planning and leading investigations as part of the core functions of QARD.  The role will also facilitate coaching and mentoring to colleagues, including Children's Services Authorised Officers, in preparing and conducting assessment and rating visits, managing enquiries, complaint and incident notifications and conducting investigations. The role will at times have responsibility for key regulatory functions as determined by the Manager. The role will also be required to engage and provide specialist advice to internal and external stakeholders and provide leadership support across the team's regulatory functions. 

Key accountabilities will include:

• managing and reporting on approved education and care services' compliance with the National Quality Framework (NQF)
• undertaking the assessment and rating process for approved education and care services against the National Quality Standard
• leading and conducting investigations following notifications of incidents or complaints
• preparing and analysing evidence to determine the action to be taken in response to the seriousness of the non-compliance and developing reports and recommendations
• applying a full range of regulatory tools to promote continuous improvement
• managing systems and processes for the collection and reporting of information relating to service quality and regulatory issues
• preparing detailed letters, briefings and reports relating to policy and operational issues
• communicating legislative and regulatory requirements across licensed and approved education and care services, including through running information sessions and training programs
• implementing quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory requirements
• mentoring and coaching Children's Services Authorised Officers.

This is a full time, ongoing VPS 5 position based in the NWVR team , reporting to the Area Manager and is based in the Bendigo or Coburg office.

The role involves travel (usually by car) across the NWVR Area, including northern metropolitan areas and regional Loddon Mallee areas such as, Bendigo, Echuca  and Mildura.  In this active frontline role, you will be visiting multiple ECEC services in a day and across the week. Typical work arrangements involve a balance of working offsite independently while visiting ECEC services, with time in an office environment working as part of a bigger inclusive team. The role will at times include planned overnight stays. There may also be some flexible start and finish times to accommodate service visits.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will:

• have demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead projects and portfolios of work and assist the Area Manager as needed
• be able to develop team capability, including by providing coaching, mentoring and feedback to others
• have strong organisational skills and be able to work independently under limited guidance to prioritise competing demands, take on new tasks at short notice and meet timelines
• be confident in making decisions and recommendations, escalating higher risk matters as needed
• have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, including the ability to use initiative and innovative thinking to shape outcomes, identify and respond to risk and solve complex problems
• have demonstrated knowledge of ECEC theory and practice as well as the NQF, National Law, Children's Services Act, and their respective regulations
• have demonstrated knowledge of regulation theory and practice, and be able to implement quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory frameworks
  • be able to confidently manage difficult and complex stakeholder issues, including the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders 
  • be confident and effective in communicating detailed information clearly, accurately and professionally, both verbally and in writing
  • have strong IT skills, be able to navigate a range of computer systems and follow business rules and guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant qualifications in early childhood education, teaching, or other human welfare studies, behavioural studies or similar.

Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence.

Further Information

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

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 Donna Troy, Area Manager via (03) 4433 7562 or donna.troy@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 11:59pm on Tuesday 1 April 2025