This is a fixed term, full-time position commencing December 2026 up until June 2028 with possible extension and/or permanency.

The School Curriculum and Standards division provides administrative and secretariat services for, and implements the decisions of, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). The Authority provides quality curriculum, assessment and standards to enable all Western Australian students to become confident, creative learners and active, informed citizens who contribute positively to society.

In 2028, the Authority will introduce an additional Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) pathway, provisionally known as WACE Access, to support students with disability and those who are unable to meet current WACE requirements with appropriate adjustments. The position is being funded as part of the WACE Access project. Formal communication and stakeholder engagement is underway. Implementation will begin with Year 11 students with the first WACE Access to be awarded to eligible Year 12 students in 2029.

The Role

Principal Consultants, Publications and Communication support the Executive Director in leading and coordinating strategic communication strategies and campaigns, ensuring outcomes align to strategic direction and priorities. They will manage a team to work collaboratively across the directorate to deliver cross functional projects.

The successful applicant will ensure communication strategies represent value for money and will identify and action opportunities for improvements. They will be expected to deliver communication strategies and campaigns, including design, development, analysis and evaluation. In this role they will undertake complex research and provide recommendations to support the development of innovative, evidence-based communication strategies. They will deploy and coordinate resources, ensuring delivery, integration and outcomes are consistent with priorities. This applicant will also provide robust and deliverable communication advice to ministers and senior leaders and will examine ministerial priorities to identify the role for communication and translate those priorities into measurable communication objectives. They will continuously review and provide quality assurance for communication and media campaigns. They will lead and facilitate stakeholder engagement, consultation and negotiation and develop innovative solutions and recommendations.

Duties will include; preparing Cabinet submissions, Ministerial briefing notes, speech notes, reports and correspondence, as well as building and maintaining professional relationships with key senior internal and external stakeholders, including stakeholder groups. The applicant will be expected to represent the division at government, industry and stakeholder forums, working groups or committees. They will act as a mentor and guide staff to deliver communication priorities and initiatives. They will need to maintain high level understanding of emerging trends and issues and ensure effective sharing of information and skills, supporting collaboration, communication and connection across the team and directorate. They will also coordinate and deliver training on education brand and style guides across the Division.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in Cannington and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include: 

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance, including working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part-time arrangements
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments) 

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 Jo Merrey, Manager – Publications and Communication on 0481 483 238 or by emailing jo.merrey@scsa.wa.edu.au

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at centralservices.recruitment@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period. 

We are committed to building the leadership capability of our people (Building Leadership Impact).

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces 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 2021-2025 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.
• 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.
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and 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 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 four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF:

1. Demonstrated advanced writing skills and substantial experience in communications, including formulation, implementation, and evaluation of communications projects and programs, analysis and reporting on performance.
2. Demonstrated considerable experience managing large and/or complex projects, including the ability to manage performance to deliver agreed outcomes within specified timeframes.
3. Demonstrated highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including experience in undertaking consultation, stakeholder engagement, collaboration and negotiation.
4. Demonstrated highly developed conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex problems aligned to strategic direction.
5. Proven ability to work collaboratively and motivate, mentor and develop others.

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 (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1069300

Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our branch within the next 12 months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 2 November 2026