Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Barwon South West
Reference: VG/DE/SRS/1917156
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 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.
This role is located in the Strategic Projects and Engagement Branch, Regional Directorate, South Western Victoria Region, SRS. The Community Liaison and Engagement Unit is responsible for delivering high quality engagement with schools and their community to respond and manage enquiries, complaints and provide advice on departmental policies and initiatives.
About the Role
This role can be based in any SWVR Office - Footscray, Keilor, Ballarat, Barwon, Warrnambool, Horsham, or Hamilton.
This role is located in the Strategic Projects and Engagement Branch, Regional Directorate, South Western Victoria Region, SRS. The Community Liaison and Engagement Unit is responsible for delivering high quality engagement with schools and their community to respond and manage enquiries, complaints and provide advice on departmental policies and initiatives.
The Manager, Community Liaison and Engagement will lead the Community Liaison and Engagement Officers who are the primary officers leading engagement and communication with the general public and school community members in relation to queries and complaints, as well as advice to senior executives and ministers. The role will provide strategic direction, drive continuous change and system improvements and manage complex cases and risks in relation to external communications, while also strengthening stakeholder engagement across the region and central divisions.
The Manager is responsible for ensuring that the team engage and resolve matters in consultation with key staff across the department, in addition to drafting correspondences and briefings in accordance with the department's policies and processes. The Manager will be responsible for proactively liaising between members of the Regional Leadership Team and connecting the work across the region and whole of Department providing high quality advice and a risk management lens to support the Regional Executive Team to make informed decisions and ensure functions are conducted in a timely and effective manner. The role will also support the Manager Strategic Projects and Engagement in delivering key regional initiatives as required.
Attributes
Qualifications and Experience
How to Apply
Please submit your application, responding to the Key Selection Criteria along with your current CV and the names and details of 2 referees to support your application.
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 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 Tim Howarth, Manager Strategic Projects and Engagementvia 0436801063or [email protected]
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 Thursday 16th April 2026.