Associate Principal

The School Of Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEN:D) is seeking an innovative, dynamic, and committed Associate Principal with proven skills and abilities as a whole school and systems leader to join our leadership team from Term 1, 2026 on a full time, fixed term position for 15 months with possible extension and/or permanency.
The School of Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEN:D)
SSEN:D is one of eight Specialist Schools within Statewide Services. At SSEN:D we partner with schools to provide collaborative support and resources that promote learning environments where every student's potential is realised. Support is provided state-wide through a Request for Assistance model that matches the needs of schools to the skill set of Consulting Teachers.

SSEN:D is a school that strives for excellence and is committed to building the capability of teachers and school-based staff within a culture of support to ensure every student with disability is a successful student. We provide consultancy services to educators, contextualised and evidence informed professional learning, online research, information, resources and practical support in our service delivery model.

We encourage our staff to share knowledge and exhibit self-reflective practices with a focus on quality teaching. Self-improvement is supported amongst our staff through a range of Professional Learning Communities.

Our leadership team is based at Statewide Services Centre (Padbury), and at our south hub (South Lake Primary School). The successful applicant will be required to move between these locations but will predominately be based in the South Lake hub. The successful applicant will also be required to regularly work across a number of metropolitan and regional locations throughout the state. The role involves state-wide travel with some overnight stays and may include long distance driving, some of which may be in remote locations. The successful applicant may be required to hold a current and valid 'C' class driver's license. Travel may involve the use of the employee's own motor vehicle.

Find out more about our school by visiting or Schools Online

The Role
As part of the Executive Team, the successful applicant will ideally use high level change management skills to lead a team of Program Coordinators/Heads of Service Area and Consulting Teachers, supporting them to achieve positive outcomes in schools. The successful applicant should contribute to and provide collaborative leadership to support the development of key areas of priority, with a focus on capability building. The successful applicant should have the ability to innovate bold and creative solutions and respond effectively within short timelines within a high-pressure environment. As such, applicants should be flexible, able to work both collaboratively and independently and be able to contribute to the work of SSEN:D. The successful applicant may also be responsible for preparing briefings, participating as a member of a range of Statewide Services cross division working parties, responding to Ministerial and ensuring Department, State and National priorities are embedded across all areas of our work.

The successful applicant will ideally display an excellent understanding of current legislation and Department of Education policies, issues and trends. They should display outstanding skills, knowledge, experience and outcomes in applying evidence-informed pedagogy and be able to operate within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support model (MTSS), to ensure positive outcomes for students with disability.

The successful applicant will ideally have significant leadership experience providing high level strategic direction by promoting the school vision, values and priorities through building strong relationships with students, staff and the wider community. The successful applicant will be collaboratively responsible for leading service provision across SSEN:D, ensuring coordinated services across the Specialist Schools and the organisational pillars within Statewide Services to support complex case management and provide high-level consultation and advice.

Applications will be assessed against the work-related requirements of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy

Professional Benefits
Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits .

Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Joanna Hall, Principal on or

Equity and Diversity
We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan for more details.

Eligibility
To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• hold registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education's Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website or in the attached application package.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1:
Select Apply for Job
Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:

• A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position

• A maximum four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF

• Demonstrated capacity to manage physical and financial resources and to contribute to the delivery of high quality services and initiatives in an educational environment.

• Demonstrated considerable knowledge of Enrolment, Student Behaviour and Curriculum Assessment policies, and highly developed skills and experience in evidence-based pedagogy, Response to Intervention Model, unified and responsive service, change management, staff development and school improvement initiatives related to disability education.
• Demonstrated highly developed organisational, conceptual and analytical skills with capacity to apply complex concepts in support of service improvement, policy and program development.
• Demonstrated highly developed communication, networking, teamwork and interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people within the education community and a variety of other contexts.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time.
Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education's Recruitment team on for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SA986415

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close:
4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 25 August 2025