An exciting opportunity exists to secure a fixed-term role, to 21 December 2029, with the department as a Senior Project Advisor, School Bus Program (Student Travel System). The School Bus Program provides transport assistance to approximately 65,000 students attending government and non-government Victorian Schools across regional and rural Victoria. Reporting to the Manager, School Bus Program, and working collaboratively alongside transport and administration officers, the Senior Project Advisor will lead and oversee the state-wide roll out of centralised coordination of the School Bus Program and transition of school bus networks into the Student Travel System.
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 Branch
The Student Transport and Allowances Branch is responsible for the:
- Students with Disabilities Transport Program
- Conveyance Allowance Program
- School Bus Program, including the state-wide roll out of centralised coordination of the program through the Student Travel System (STS)
- Buses and Vehicles - Owned or Hired by a School Policies
- Development and implementation of reform and improvement for all programs consistent with government priorities and budget responsibilities
About the Role
An exciting opportunity exists to secure a fixed-term role, to 21 December 2029, with the department as a Senior Project Advisor, School Bus Program (Student Travel System).
The School Bus Program provides transport assistance to approximately 65,000 students attending government and non-government Victorian Schools across regional and rural Victoria.
Reporting to the Manager, School Bus Program, and working collaboratively alongside transport and administration officers, the Senior Project Advisor will lead and oversee the state-wide roll out of centralised coordination of the School Bus Program and transition of school bus networks into the Student Travel System.
The Senior Project Advisor is responsible for;
- working collaborativey with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), who administer the SBP operational requirements and manage the bus contracts, to identify bus routes, maps and operator information, and schools to identify bus routes, timetable, special arrangements, and traveller details, allowing for School Bus Networks to be modeled and built in the Student Travel System (STS)
- assessing localised transport arrangements and determiniing suitability for transition to STS, or developing strategies and working with manager and director to finalise or sunset these arrangements
- managing data sets via EXCEL and Salesforce applications, and mapping bus routes via ARGIS
- working with Information, Management and Technology Division (IMTD) to upload school bus network data (routes, maps, stops, timetables etc) into the STS
- working with schools and the department's comms divisions to develop commication for schools and families providing support, information and instruction around transition of school bus networks to the STS
- working with schools though and post transition, to ensure successful transition and engagement with the STS
- drafting briefing and correspondence responses for the Minister for Education office
- Some intra-state and overnight travel may be required
Attributes
Your capacity for collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating genuine relationships with the team and external stakeholders will be pivotal for your success in this role.
You will demonstrate strong capabilities in the following:
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Accept changing priorities and respond quickly. Identify and work to overcome barriers to school engagement and STS transition
- Team Management: Ensure team and resources are productively deployed through effective planning practices. Take action to optimise workforce and transition effectiveness.
- Critical Thinking a
nd Problem Solving: Resolve issues in line with department policies and procedures. Where such information is limited, the incumbent acts independently, or in consultation with others.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Experience in project and program management, particularly ones that require nuanced balance between needs of the government and department, alongside strong and effective stakeholder engamenet with program users to maximise success and achieve the desired outcomes
- Demonstrated experience in Microsoft, Salesforce and Mapping applications
- Proven ability to effectively build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders through effective communication and consulting abilities
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: Sarah Johnson – Manager, Transport Projects via (03) 7022 2243 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 Friday 22 May 2026.