Senior Investigator

About the Department

The Department of Education (DE) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.

About the Division

The Conduct and Integrity Division provides expert advice and support to Victorian government school principals and other people managers in the Department of Education on managing employee conduct and performance including child safety concerns and fraud and corruption.

There are four branches within the Division:

• Preliminary Investigations Branch
• Child Safety Investigations Branch
• Child Safety and Fraud Investigations Branch
• Child Safety and Integrity (Policy and Operations) Branch.

The Division leads critical functions with respect to both school and corporate employees and operations:

• Child safety misconduct and reportable conduct investigations, including notifications to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) under the Reportable Conduct Scheme in relation to departmental employees and others engaged in departmental workplaces and notifications to the Disability Worker Regulation Commission
• Fraud and corruption investigations, including mandatory reporting to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and public interest disclosures
• Developing and maintaining the department's guidelines on managing complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for the government teaching service and the public service
• Providing expert advice and support to principals and people managers to manage allegations of misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, fitness for duty and
• Expert advice and management of fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and integrity performance monitoring and reporting
• Pre-employment screening, and expert advice on suitability for employment and management of the department's Employment Limitation policy
• Managing relationships with oversight and integrity bodies (including the Victorian Institute of Teaching, CCYP, IBAC, Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian Public Sector Commission)
• Capability building and training activities aimed at increasing staff confidence to prevent, speak up, identify and respond to inappropriate behaviour, reportable conduct and misconduct
• Strengthening avenues for staff to speak up about inappropriate behaviour and misconduct
• Driving behavioural and system change to build a stronger culture of integrity in the department.

About the Role

The Senior Investigator leads high quality investigations relating to staff conduct and integrity matters, ensuring thorough, objective and evidence-based outcomes. The Senior Investigator will specialise in matters involving fraud and corruption, or matters relating to the conduct of Victorian Public Service (VPS) employees.

They apply specialist knowledge to gather and analyse information, engage with stakeholders effectively, provide clear findings and recommendations and maintain meticulous records while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity.

The Senior Investigator works effectively and collaboratively within a small, high performing team to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role in line with the duties, required capabilities and the Key Selection Criteria.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Joy Patton, Manager, Fraud and Corruption Control,

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

Preferred applicants may be required to have a Working with Children Check, a police check and 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 Wednesday 22nd October 2025