Guidance Officer

A fantastic opportunity exists for a Guidance Officer to join the Department of Education, which is committed to developing and implementing a statewide continuum of educational delivery to ensure students with chronic health or complex mental health conditions receive specialised and appropriate support throughout their illness.

As part of this commitment, the South East Region is recruiting a specialist Guidance Officer to specifically support primary and secondary students with complex mental health conditions for the duration of 2026.

If you're passionate about making a difference, we encourage you to apply now.

About the Department

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.

About the Role

The role of the Guidance Officer Mental Health specifically includes three key priorities:

Priority 1: Intensive intervention, re-engagement, response and support of students with highly complex mental health conditions. This will be done through ongoing, long-term support for students discharged from mental health inpatient units and day programs who are transitioning to state, Catholic or independent schools or other educational pathways.

Priority 2: Identification, support and intervention planning for students with highly complex mental health issues. The Guidance Officer Mental Health will work with schools to support students with complex mental health conditions who are under the treatment of a mental health clinician in the community, ensuring students with complex mental health conditions are included and can access, participate, engage and be connected in education.

Priority 3: Promotion, prevention, awareness and capacity building regarding mental health within the Guidance and Wellbeing communities and school leadership teams. The Guidance Officer Mental Health will source and facilitate appropriate staff professional development to support education programming for young people with complex mental health needs.

Other key duties include:

• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and fostering effective relationships and partnerships with students, families, schools, hospital education programs, CYMHS and external support agencies (with clear guidelines regarding the role of Education staff).
• Developing and supporting the implementation of student support plans.
• Supporting schools with the individual complex case management of students with mental health conditions.
• Supporting schools to provide inclusive practices and making recommendations for educational adjustments for students with mental health conditions.
• Providing appropriate support and advice based on relevant policies, procedures and legislation.

Supervision and support:

The Guidance Officer Mental Health position is part of the South East Region Wellbeing Team andwill be supervised by a Senior Guidance Officer in the South East Region. All Guidance Officers Mental Health are further supported by State Schools - Operations (DoE central office) and the Executive Principal of Queensland Children's Hospital School to foster coordination and consistency across the regions.

About You:

Highly desirable (but not mandatory) skills include:

• An extensive knowledge of educational pathways and support programs.

Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.

Interested? To Apply

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should be familiar with your relevant work history).
• Attach a written statement (2-page maximum) addressing Key Capabilities 1-4 as per Role Description "How you will be assessed" section.
• Attach a copy of the mandatory requirements outlined in the attached role description

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.