Principal Advisor, Early Years

The Central Queensland Region Partnerships and Programs team is seeking a motivated Principal Advisor, Early Years, to support Equity and Excellence in State Schools across the region, with a preferred base in Mackay. The position will focus on building the knowledge and
capability of school leaders and educators in early years curriculum, pedagogy, and successful transitions, primarily in the Prep to Year 1 space. This role aims to strengthen wellbeing and engagement by supporting high-quality teaching and learning practices aligned with early
years priorities.

The position will commence in Term 1, 2026, for a fixed term of two years, concluding on 10 December 2027.

The successful candidate will be employed at the classification listed on the attached role description under EOSD provisions.

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 ( ).

About the Role:

The Principal Advisor, Early Years will work with school supervisors, school leaders, and classroom staff to provide contextualised support to ensure students have a strong start through high-quality learning experiences and successful transitions. The successful applicant must have experience working in the early years and demonstrate an understanding of the Australian Curriculum, Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, age-appropriate pedagogies, and effective transitions. It is desirable for the applicant to hold a four-year early childhood teaching qualification. The successful applicant will be required to travel to areas within the Central Queensland Region to support schools. Overnight travel is required for this role.

As the Principal Advisor you will:

Support the implementation of the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and the Australian Curriculum through the use of data and evidence-based tools, such as the Continua of Learning and Development, Early Start Literacy and Numeracy, and the Prep to Year 2 Literacy Continuum. You will provide guidance to teachers in making informed decisions about the most effective approaches to support specific curriculum content and pedagogical practices in the early years. This includes delivering professional learning, modelling effective age-appropriate pedagogies and associated strategies in classrooms, and supporting teachers in implementing evidence-based practices from Kindergarten to Year 2. You will also provide essential knowledge and advice to school leadership teams and teachers to drive improvement in child and student outcomes, and support effective and optimal transitions across early years settings.

Your Responsibilities:

As the Principal Advisor, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with leadership team, deliver professional learning and guidance to teachers in the implementation of evidence-based age appropriate pedagogies in the early years (K-2).
• Model effective age-appropriate pedagogies and their accompanying practices and strategies in classrooms.
• Provide guidance and advice to teachers in planning and using the evidence-based tools (such as the state-wide approach to transition to school).
• Provide fundamental knowledge and advice to school leadership teams and teachers to drive improvement in child and student outcomes in the early years.

Please refer to the attached role description for the full list of responsibilities and 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) to the Leadership Competencies section of 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.