Senior Investigator

Location

Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference

VG/DE/ECE/1889314

The Senior Investigator works within a special purpose investigation team conducting a focussed investigation under broad direction of the Manager and is responsible for leading high quality investigations within the project team. The incumbent conducts thorough research, compiles comprehensive reports and cultivates relationships with stakeholders, to offer expert advice and support to decision makers. The Senior Investigator will contribute to investigative strategy and planning, provide advice and recommendations on complex investigations and develop regulatory sanctions and other compliance actions within the regulatory framework.

Ongoing/Full-Time

VPSG5 - $113,022 - $136,747

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 Division

The Department of Education is the Victorian Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services under delegation from the Secretary. The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) in the department regulates and quality assesses Victorian ECEC services. It drives the delivery of high-quality services and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of Victorian children attending those services.

QARD regulates approximately 5,000 services including family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten programs, as required by the Education and Care Services National Law 2010 (National Law). QARD also regulates around 180 services operating under the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 (Children's Services Act); these include occasional care and limited hours services.

QARD is responsible for:

- approving providers and services as required by the National Law and Children's Services Act

- monitoring service compliance and conducting investigations in response to notifications and complaints

- assessment and rating of family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten programs against the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and School Age Care

- supporting legislative policy development.

QARD is also the integrated sector regulator of the Child Safe Standards for all early childhood services in Victoria.

Further information about QARD is available at: www.vic.gov.au/role-quality-assessment-and-regulation-division

About the Role

The Senior Investigator works within a special purpose investigation team conducting a focussed investigation under broad direction of the Manager. This role includes:

- Leading serious and complex investigations into ECEC services.

- Investigative planning and strategy

- Providing advice and recommendations on investigations.

- Recommending and developing regulatory sanctions and other compliance actions within the regulatory framework.

The position requires strong quality and compliance reporting skills, strong interviewing and statement taking experience, demonstrated experience in conducting complex investigations and assessments and a comprehensive knowledge of the broader regulatory environment.

The successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience in effective management of relationships with internal and external stakeholders andhigh-levelinterpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills.

Travel to metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria and occasional overnight stays will be required.

This is an ongoing, full time VPS5 position, based in East Melbourne.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will have:

- the ability to investigate alleged contraventions of legislation including planning and recommending actions throughout the life of an investigation (including collecting evidence, having case discussions, conducting witness interviews, and writing reports)

- ex perience in the planning and conduct of operational investigations

- the ability to identify, gather and analyse evidence and information in a court-admissible manner

- strong conceptual and analytical skills, including an ability to interpret legislation, standards, guidelines and practices to ensure effective regulation of the ECEC sector

- strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders (internal and external)

- strong planning and organising skills and attention to detail.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant experience in the conduct of regulatory or criminal investigations. Regulatory investigations within the social services area would be well regarded.

Desirable: Cert IV or Diploma in Government Investigations or equivalent

Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 3 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

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 Jim Pearson, Manager Investigations – Child Safety via 70222802 or jim.pearson@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 24/10/2025

Applications close Friday 24 October 2025 at 11.59pm

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