About the Role An exciting opportunity is available for highly motivated individuals with strong attention to detail and a passion for meaningful work to support the Northern Metropolitan Area team within VECRA with the compliance and quality assessment of ECEC services. As a Senior Authorised Officer, you will play an active frontline role in promoting quality improvement in ECEC services by conducting assessment and rating visits across metropolitan areas and planning and leading investigations as part of the core functions of VECRA. The role will also facilitate coaching and mentoring to colleagues, including Authorised Officers, in preparing and conducting assessment and rating visits, managing enquiries, complaint and incident notifications and conducting investigations. The role will at times have responsibility for key regulatory functions as determined by the Manager. The role will also be required to engage and provide specialist advice to internal and external stakeholders and provide leadership support across the team's regulatory functions. Key accountabilities will include: managing and reporting on approved education and care services' compliance with the National Quality Framework (NQF) undertaking the assessment and rating process for approved education and care services against the National Quality Standard leading and conducting investigations following notifications of incidents or complaints preparing and analysing evidence to determine the action to be taken in response to the seriousness of the non-compliance and developing reports and recommendations applying a full range of regulatory tools to promote continuous improvement managing systems and processes for the collection and reporting of information relating to service quality and regulatory issues preparing detailed letters, briefings and reports relating to policy and operational issues communicating legislative and regulatory requirements across licensed and approved education and care services, including through running information sessions and training programs implementing quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory requirements mentoring and coaching Authorised Officers. This is a full time ongoing VPS5 positions, based in the Northern Metropolitan Area of the North West Region, reporting to the Regional Manager and Area Manager. The Area team office is based in the Coburg Office. The role involves travel (usually by car) across the North West Victoria Area, and to metropolitan and/or regional/remote areas such as Bendigo and Mildura . In this active frontline role, you will be visiting multiple ECEC services in a day and across the week. Typical work arrangements involve a balance of working offsite independently while visiting ECEC services, with time in an office environment working as part of a bigger inclusive team. The role will at times include planned overnight stays. There may also be some flexible start and finish times to accommodate service visits. Attributes To be successful in this role, you will: Have demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead projects and portfolios of work and assist the Area Manager as needed Be able to develop team capability, including by providing coaching, mentoring and feedback to others Have strong organisational skills and be able to work independently under limited guidance to prioritise competing demands, take on new tasks at short notice and meet timelines Be confident in making decisions and recommendations, escalating higher risk matters as needed Have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use initiative and innovative thinking to shape outcomes, identify and respond to risk and solve complex problems have demonstrated knowledge of ECEC theory and practice as well as the NQF, National Law, Children's Services Act, and their respective regulations have demonstrated knowledge of regulation theory and practice, and be able to implement quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory frameworks be able to confidently manage difficult and complex stakeholder issues, including the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders be confident and effective in communicating detailed information clearly, accurately and professionally, both verbally and in writing have strong IT skills, be able to navigate a range of computer systems and follow business rules and guidelines. Desirable Qualifications and Experience Desirable: Relevant qualifications in early childhood education, teaching, or other human welfare studies, behavioural studies or similar. Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence. Further Information Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role. 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 Karen Cullen, Area Manager via karen.cullen@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 27-May-2026
