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 Division

The Information Management and Technology Division (IMTD) leads digital transformation for the department and Victorian government schools. IMTD manages Victoria's largest tech network, serving 750,000 users. It innovates by implementing cloud solutions (IaaS), enterprise cloud platforms (PaaS), and software (SaaS) with a focus on user experience, security, and integration, using agile practices.

About the Role

The Principal Data Scientist is a key contributor to strategic planning and decision-making. They identify emerging strategic issues, prepare authoritative technical reports, and effectively communicate complex concepts to non-expert executives. The Principal Data Scientist will brief high-level stakeholders, implement endorsed policies, and drive complex technical programs. Their role also involves setting technical standards for the department.

Our ideal candidate will hold a pivotal role in supporting the enterprise platforms manager's efforts to shape the data strategy that underlies the products residing on our platforms, which encompass Salesforce, Service Now, and Microsoft. Their responsibilities involve providing invaluable expertise, offering guidance, establishing frameworks, and formulating strategies across these three key platforms. In close collaboration with the Chief Data Officer, the Principal Data Scientist ensures that our strategic direction aligns seamlessly with the department's Information Management Platform and adheres to the prescribed governance frameworks.

This multifaceted role involves delivering data insights to fortify the product development process by instituting frameworks, guidelines, patterns, and other strategic assets. Additionally, the role requires active involvement in the exploration, design, and delivery phases of the product development cycle, in which data design principles and governance for development, including quality assurance, are identified and upheld.

Capabilities

The ideal candidate should be flexible and adaptable, possess systems thinking skills, focus on the future, excel in critical thinking and problem solving, and be data and technologically literate. They must communicate effectively, integrate knowledge management, and develop capabilities within the team. Additionally, they need to manage people, ensuring accountability, resolving issues, and promoting performance.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Expertise in data modelling, business intelligence, data integration, data analytics and reporting, master data management, and data governance.
• Experience in developing and executing a data strategy and key data initiatives ensuring alignment with business and Departmental objectives.
• Proficient in the use of data visualisation tools (such as PowerBI and Tableau).
• Ability to translate complex business problems into data driven solutions through collaboration with cross functional teams.
• Practical knowledge of the data models, data structures, data management, and reporting/analytics capabilities within products including Salesforce, ServiceNow and Microsoft.
• Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies and how it can be innovatively applied to solve business problems.
• Demonstrated commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements in data science and related technologies.
• Tertiary qualifications/accreditations in related discipline would be advantageous.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

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.

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 Thien Nguyen – Manager Solution Architecture via (03) 8688 7858 or thien.nguyen@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 12 December 2023