Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $97,955 - $111,142
Grade: VPS 4
Occupation: Land, asset, resources and facilities management
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1902738
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
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 Major Projects & Property Division is responsible for delivering educational infrastructure projects and programs, including the acquisition and management of land as well as delivery of capital infrastructure projects.
The Property Branch represents the Minister for Education and Minister for Children's interests as land owner, and provides specialised land and property related advice and support to schools and other areas within DE and the VSBA. The Branch's work covers the whole of the property life cycle, being:
About the Role
This role is Fixed Term until 30 June 2027.
The Victorian School Building Authority's Land Acquisition Unit consists of four teams, Forward Planning (New Schools and Early Childhood), Site & Infrastructure, and Delivery. The work undertaken by the Land Acquisition teams includes collaboration with other areas of the Department on provision analysis for future education demand; liaising with local councils and land developers on timing for developments; identifying and assessing potential sites for future acquisition; conducting site suitability investigations and works; valuation; negotiation with landholders (which may include developers, private individuals, other government agencies and local government authorities); ensuring compliance with relevant policies and guidelines; and negotiating contracts of sale and other relevant legal agreements.
The Land Acquisition Program is a fast-paced, highly responsive environment that manages a large volume of projects. The Project Advisor role, also known as Project Officer, is within the Land Acquisition - Forward Planning (Early Childhood) team at the VSBA and reports to the Manager, Land Acquisition - Forward Planning (Early Childhood).
The role supports the delivery of land acquisition projects for Victorian education facilities, including initiatives under the Government's Best Start, Best Life program. Key responsib ilities include project delivery, procurement, financial reporting, stakeholder management, compilation of property data, title searches and other ad hoc administration as required by the team. Experience with Microsoft Office, Landata, Mapshare Vic and Nearmaps is highly desirable.
An important element of the role is the provision of timely advice and specialist support to other areas within the VSBA and the Department in relation to the VSBA's Land Acquisition Program. Given the high profile nature of the projects, the role requires exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills and that reporting and record keeping is delivered to the highest standard.
Key stakeholders include the Office of the Minister for Education, the Office of the Minister for Children, the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive team of the VSBA, local government authorities, other government Departments and Government agencies such as the Valuer-General Victoria and the Victorian Government Land Monitor.
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.
The role is fixed term / full time until 30/06/2027.
Attributes
This role would suit someone with exceptional stakeholder management skills, flexible attitude, attention to detail and strong experience in delivering communication and reporting to the highest standard.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Proven experience overseeing property and infrastructure projects, particularly within education, public infrastructure, or government delivery settings.
Desirable:
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description.
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 Madison Rea, Manager Land Acquisition – Forward Planning (Early Childhood) via (03) 9084 8768 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 stri ctest 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 Tuesday, 20 January 2026