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 Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.

The Asset Strategy Branch sits within the Strategy and Planning Division in the VSBA. The Asset Strategy Branch is responsible for asset strategy and operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, information management, budget strategy and coordination.

The BQSH Policy Unit is responsible for reviewing the Building Quality Standards Handbook (BQSH) and Explanatory Brief Guidelines for School Facilities Area Schedules (Design Guide) on an annual basis, and acquitting post occupancy evaluation design recommendations. The BQSH sets performance criteria for VSBA-led school and early learning facility capital projects.  The unit also develops other design resources and policy, and responds to broader departmental and government policy decisions, as needed.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager BQSH Policy, the candidate's key responsibilities and accountabilities may include:

• undertaking complex policy reviews and research, including of design and construction standards and codes, including
• jurisdictional benchmarking and technical analysis
• writing briefing papers, reports and analysis, policy and advisory guidelines
• chairing working groups or other stakeholder engagement forums
• providing information and support to the manager and teammates
• supporting the learning and development of new and junior staff, as directed, and
• contributing to a high performing team and branch/team workplace culture through a commitment to learning and development
• supporting a culture of collaboration within the unit and across VSBA, including representing the branch at a range of professional meetings, forums and workshops, and
• other duties as directed

The role requires a high degree of stakeholder engagement with relevant units across VSBA delivery divisions and the broader department, as well as regulators, such as the Victorian Building Authority.

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. 

Attributes

We are looking for someone with strong written and verbal communication and conceptual and analytical skills who is confident interpreting technical content. A solid understanding of the Building Quality Standards Handbook would be an advantage.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Experience or qualifications related to public policy, architecture or construction management would be well regarded.

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 Susanne Kennedy – Manager susanne.kennedy@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.

This role is Fixed Term till 30/06/2027

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday, 22 June 2025