Job Description
Location
Melbourne City Centre VIC
Full job description
Fixed Term Job Opportunity - VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser
An exciting opportunity exists to join the Conduct and Integrity Division as a VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser in the Preliminary Investigations Team for a Fixed Term period commencing 8 September 2026 until 15 July 2026.
About the Department
The Department of Education (DE) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.
About the Division
The Conduct and Integrity Division provides expert advice and support to Victorian government school principals and other people managers in the Department of Education on managing employee conduct and performance including child safety concerns and fraud and corruption.
There are four branches within the Division:
Preliminary Investigations Branch
Child Safety Investigations Branch
Child Safety and Fraud Investigations Branch
Child Safety and Integrity (Policy and Operations) Branch.
The Division leads critical functions with respect to both school and corporate employees and operations:
child safety misconduct and reportable conduct investigations, including notifications to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) under the Reportable Conduct Scheme in relation to departmental employees and others engaged in departmental workplaces and notifications to the Disability Worker Regulation Commission
fraud and corruption investigations, including mandatory reporting to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and public interest disclosures
developing and maintaining the department's guidelines on managing complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for the government teaching service and the public service
providing expert advice and support to principals and people managers to manage allegations of misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, fitness for duty and
expert advice and management of fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and integrity performance monitoring and reporting
pre-employment screening, and expert advice on suitability for employment and management of the department's Employment Limitation policy
managing relationships with oversight and integrity bodies (including the Victorian Institute of Teaching, CCYP, IBAC, Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian Public Sector Commission)
capability building and training activities aimed at increasing staff confidence to prevent, speak up, identify and respond to inappropriate behaviour, reportable conduct and misconduct
strengthening avenues for staff to speak up about inappropriate behaviour and misconduct
driving behavioural and system change to build a stronger culture of integrity in the department.
About the Role
Reporting to the Manager, PIT, the Principal Investigations Adviser manages a caseload of complex matters and mentors and supports Senior Investigation Advisers and Investigations Advisers in the team.
The Principal Investigations Adviser is responsible for:
modelling the Public Sector Values and ensuring relevant departmental policies and procedures are followed
assessing and triaging complex matters, and ensuring effective management of complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance, including consideration of risks to student and staff
providing expert support and advice to the department's people managers in relation to conduct and performance matters
preparing high quality written materials including briefings and correspondence
managing contracts with outsourced service providers (including investigators) as required
building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including senior decision-makers and with external regulators, including the CCYP and the Victorian Institute of Teaching
contributing to branch, division and system improvement activities
supporting the Manager to foster talent and build team capability
About You
This role will suit an experienced adviser who can guide and support a team, leveraging their expert knowledge and experience to drive success. You will be a logical, problem solver, with strong experience providing advice and support to a broad range of stakeholders .
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
proven experience within an investigations environment, working within defined polices and procedures
excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship building skills, working within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
high level written communication skills, developing a range of complex written documentation
a successful record of supporting the professional development / capability of a team
sound conceptual thinking ability, as well as excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
a current Employee Working with Children Check, or ability to obtain one.
How to apply
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 in line with the duties, required capabilities and the Key Selection Criteria.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Jonelle White via [email protected].
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.
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.
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 Wednesday 30 July 2026.
Melbourne City Centre VIC
Full job description
Fixed Term Job Opportunity - VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser
An exciting opportunity exists to join the Conduct and Integrity Division as a VPS6 Principal Investigations Adviser in the Preliminary Investigations Team for a Fixed Term period commencing 8 September 2026 until 15 July 2026.
About the Department
The Department of Education (DE) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.
About the Division
The Conduct and Integrity Division provides expert advice and support to Victorian government school principals and other people managers in the Department of Education on managing employee conduct and performance including child safety concerns and fraud and corruption.
There are four branches within the Division:
Preliminary Investigations Branch
Child Safety Investigations Branch
Child Safety and Fraud Investigations Branch
Child Safety and Integrity (Policy and Operations) Branch.
The Division leads critical functions with respect to both school and corporate employees and operations:
child safety misconduct and reportable conduct investigations, including notifications to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) under the Reportable Conduct Scheme in relation to departmental employees and others engaged in departmental workplaces and notifications to the Disability Worker Regulation Commission
fraud and corruption investigations, including mandatory reporting to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and public interest disclosures
developing and maintaining the department's guidelines on managing complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for the government teaching service and the public service
providing expert advice and support to principals and people managers to manage allegations of misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, fitness for duty and
expert advice and management of fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and integrity performance monitoring and reporting
pre-employment screening, and expert advice on suitability for employment and management of the department's Employment Limitation policy
managing relationships with oversight and integrity bodies (including the Victorian Institute of Teaching, CCYP, IBAC, Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian Public Sector Commission)
capability building and training activities aimed at increasing staff confidence to prevent, speak up, identify and respond to inappropriate behaviour, reportable conduct and misconduct
strengthening avenues for staff to speak up about inappropriate behaviour and misconduct
driving behavioural and system change to build a stronger culture of integrity in the department.
About the Role
Reporting to the Manager, PIT, the Principal Investigations Adviser manages a caseload of complex matters and mentors and supports Senior Investigation Advisers and Investigations Advisers in the team.
The Principal Investigations Adviser is responsible for:
modelling the Public Sector Values and ensuring relevant departmental policies and procedures are followed
assessing and triaging complex matters, and ensuring effective management of complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance, including consideration of risks to student and staff
providing expert support and advice to the department's people managers in relation to conduct and performance matters
preparing high quality written materials including briefings and correspondence
managing contracts with outsourced service providers (including investigators) as required
building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including senior decision-makers and with external regulators, including the CCYP and the Victorian Institute of Teaching
contributing to branch, division and system improvement activities
supporting the Manager to foster talent and build team capability
About You
This role will suit an experienced adviser who can guide and support a team, leveraging their expert knowledge and experience to drive success. You will be a logical, problem solver, with strong experience providing advice and support to a broad range of stakeholders .
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
proven experience within an investigations environment, working within defined polices and procedures
excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship building skills, working within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
high level written communication skills, developing a range of complex written documentation
a successful record of supporting the professional development / capability of a team
sound conceptual thinking ability, as well as excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
a current Employee Working with Children Check, or ability to obtain one.
How to apply
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 in line with the duties, required capabilities and the Key Selection Criteria.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Jonelle White via [email protected].
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.
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.
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 Wednesday 30 July 2026.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Principal Investigations Adviser position is now open for candidates interested in the Education Jobs sector. This role in Melbourne offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Education Jobs is a plus.
