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 Western Metropolitan Area team within QARD with the compliance and quality assessment of ECEC services.

As a Children's Services Authorised Officer, you will play a key role in promoting quality improvement in ECEC services by visiting centres and services in your regional area to actively monitor compliance, undertake investigations and conduct assessment and rating visits in adherence with the National Law, Children's Services Act and Child Safe Standards. This dynamic and rewarding role will give you the opportunity to promote quality improvement and support practice outcomes, while working in a supportive environment that provides training and upskilling opportunities.

Key accountabilities will include:

• supporting and undertaking investigations following notifications of incidents or complaints and, where necessary, preparing evidence to determine the action to be taken based on the nature of the non-compliance 
• applying a full range of regulatory tools to promote continuous improvement 
• managing and reporting on approved education and care services' compliance with the National Quality Framework 
• undertaking the assessment and rating process for approved education and care services against the National Quality Standard
• 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
• implementing quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory requirements. 

This is a full time, ongoing VPS 4 position based in the Western Metropolitan Area of the South Western Victoria Region, reporting to the Western Metropolitan Area Manager.  The Western Metropolitan Area team office is based in Footscray.

The role involves travel across the South Western Victoria, including metropolitan suburbs and regional areas such as Footscray and Horsham. 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. 

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will:

• be able to implement quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory frameworks
  • have strong planning and organising skills and attention to detail
  • be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups
  • demonstrate initiative and accountability in your work and decision making
  • have a willingness to learn. 

While you will ideally have experience in compliance, investigations or working in an early learning environment with a deep understanding of the legislations and National Quality Framework, this is not essential. Candidates with suitably transferrable skills will be considered and are encouraged to apply.

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 Antone Chin, Area Manager via (03) 8688 7730 or Antone.Chin@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 Wednesday 18^th, September 2024.