Principal Advisor, Social Work

An exciting opportunity exists for a Principal Advisor, Social Work to provide statewide leadership and governance for student mental health and wellbeing services provided in schools and regions. We are seeking a dynamic individual with excellent project management and communication skills to provide statewide professional leadership for
social work and youth work services provided as part of the student wellbeing services within the Department of Education.

About the Department of Education:

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity, offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us ( ).

Your Role:

As the Principal Advisor, Social Work you will:

• Provide statewide strategic and professional leadership and governance for social work and youth work services provided by staff working in schools and regions to support the wellbeing and mental health of Queensland state school students.
• Provide professional expert advice to develop strategies, design programs, support clinical governance and manage systems to achieve effective delivery and continuous improvement of mental health and wellbeing services delivered in state schools across Queensland.

About You:

The successful candidate will possess and demonstrate the following key attributes:

• Extensive experience providing services as a social worker, including an in depth understanding of best-practice interventions to address mental health concerns of children and young people.
• Proficiency in providing formal supervision to social workers and/or other wellbeing professionals and providing advice and guidance to support others' practice.
• Knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, whole school approaches, assessment, intervention and practices that support quality educational outcomes for students with mental health concerns.
• Leadership in the development of onboarding processes for social workers and university practicum students from social work graduate programs.
• Competency in providing exemplary advice and support in the area of mental health and wellbeing within the educational environment.
• High level of productivity when working autonomously, in complex, sensitive or high-pressure environments.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, critical analysis and ability to apply whole-of-government perspectives.
• Ability to deliver results within tight timeframes with high levels of accuracy.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis skills.
• Capacity to think strategically and present a range of solutions to complex issues.

Interested? To Apply:

• A brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (one of whom should be your current supervisor;
• A maximum 2-page written response outlining your suitability for the role, addressing the How you may be assessed section of the attached role description.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role description.
• For further information, please contact Maria Lathouras, Director, Student Wellbeing by telephone , or email, at

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.