Senior Wellbeing and Engagement Officer

About the role

The Department of Education is recruiting a Senior Wellbeing and Engagement Officer (VPS 5, 0.9 FTE) in the Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services Branch, Southern Melbourne Area, South Eastern Victoria Region. The role reports to the branch manager and is based in the Sale or Bairnsdale office. Its main purpose is to support schools in implementing policy and identifying strategies to engage young people at risk of disengagement from education.

The position is fixed term, from 25 January 2027 to 17 December 2027. A tertiary qualification in education, nursing, allied health or a related field is desirable.

Key responsibilities

• Support schools to implement policy and find ways to engage young people at risk of dropping out of education.
• Contribute to wrap-around models for children and young people at risk of disengaging from education.
• Work with Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforce staff to develop network strategies and help Senior Education Improvement Leaders use local partnerships to support vulnerable children.
• Lead and facilitate support for vulnerable children and young people.
• Analyse data and report current area attendance rates and themes to area leadership.
• Broker solutions for complex individual cases beyond the capacity of local providers and run capability-building activities.
• Facilitate regional partnerships and maintain relationships with schools, area staff, community agencies and external departments such as the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Required profile

• Strong people skills and data analysis capability.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders to support and implement government policy and programs on student wellbeing, engagement and attendance.
• Desirable: a tertiary qualification in a related field such as education, nursing or allied health.
• A current Working With Children Check and a current Victorian driver's licence.

Applicants apply through the department's online application, submitting a CV, a cover letter and responses to the key selection criteria. Applications close on 22 November 2026. Preferred applicants may be asked to complete a police check.