Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $116,413 - $140,849
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Loddon Mallee
Reference: VG/DE/SRS/1957280
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 Mental Health Branch, Student Wellbeing and Engagement Division, North Western Victoria Region, SRS. Working as part of a NWVR Regional Mental Health Branch, the Mental Health Engagement Coordinator will provide expert advice and operational support for the ongoing implementation, reporting and improvement of key mental health and wellbeing initiatives and reform in Victorian primary, secondary and specialist schools.
About the Role
The Mental Health and Engagement Coordinator (MHEC) role is a conduit between policy and service delivery, with a specific focus on the intersection between disability and mental health.
Working as part of a Regional Mental Health Branch, the MHEC will provide practice leadership, expert advice, capability building activities and resources based on current best practice in the field of disability and mental health to MHPs, MHiPS leaders and school/area staff to enable them to better support students with disabilities in a variety of settings.
The Regional Mental Health Branch supports schools in all aspects of student mental health and wellbeing, including implementation of the Mental Health Practitioners initiative, the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu, and the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program.
This role is an exciting opportunity to join a regional team leading work to improve mental health supports for students with disability implementation. Specifically you'll be supporting regional implementation of three key education reforms that arose from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System (2021) - the Mental Health Practitioners initiative, the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu, and the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program.
With essential tertiary qualifications in mental health, education or related field, Mental Health and Engagement Coordinator works in collaboration with branch colleagues (Mental Health Coordinators and Project Officers) as well as Area staff.
The role will involve:
The successful candidate can work from any NWVR regional office location (Coburg, Greensborough, Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura) and must be available for regular travel within the regional area and hold a valid Victorian Driver's Licence.
A current Working with Children Check is also required. Flexible work arrangements are available in DE.
This is a 12month, fixed term, full-time position.
Attributes
The successfully applicant will demonstrate the VPS Public Sector Values. They are flexible and adaptable, responsive to the changing needs of schools, leadership and wellbeing teams, and the specific mental health workforces we support, including Mental Health Practitioners and Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders. They are part of a high performing team of allied health and teaching professionals and have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills. Collaboration and partnering is a required attribute, with positive working relationships with varied stakeholders, including central office, Area Teams, Schools and Community Mental Health Services.
Qualifications and Experience
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 Danielle Koning, Regional Mental Health Branch Manager via 0447 420 171 or [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 26/11/2026