This is a permanent full-time position commencing in October 2026

The Swimming and Water Safety branch is responsible for the statewide delivery of swimming and water safety education through the management and delivery of the Interm and VacSwim swimming programs that promote vital swimming and water safety skills for children aged 5 – 17.

The Role

This is a key leadership role within Swimming and Water Safety, focused on leading the team responsible for coordinating the people, resources and logistics required to deliver high-quality swimming programs across the State.

While you don’t need to be an expert in teaching swimming, you will provide clear direction and oversight to ensure programs are effectively planned, resourced and delivered to a consistently high standard.

You will build and sustain strong strategic partnerships with participating schools and industry partners, enabling a coordinated and responsive approach to delivering swimming and water safety education across Western Australia.

As Senior Program Coordinator, you will play a critical role in shaping the future workforce by identifying and driving improvements in recruitment, retention and development of swimming staff, ensuring capability is aligned to long-term operational and strategic needs.

You will also lead the planning and delivery of key initiatives that support program success, including inductions, professional learning and special events, ensuring these are engaging, purposeful and aligned to branch priorities.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking a confident and capable leader who brings:

• Proven experience leading teams and delivering complex programs
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Highly developed judgement and decision-making capability, with the ability to respond to changing operational and strategic priorities
• Proven ability to lead, manage and resolve complex interpersonal and workforce matters with professionalism, empathy and clear direction

If successful, you will join a fast-paced, collaborative team and work closely with senior leaders to deliver high-quality outcomes for schools and students across Western Australia.

The position is currently based in Padbury, with plans underway for a future relocation to Tuart Hill.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in Padbury 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, 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 Leonie McKenzie, Principal Consultant,  Swimming and Water Safety on (08) 9402 6385 or by emailing Leonie.McKenzie@education.wa.edu.au

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 three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• A three (3) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF:
  1. Demonstrated well developed project management, organisational and planning skills, including the ability to coordinate and allocate resources to effectively address operational needs and deliver effective outcomes to agreed timeframes.
  2. Demonstrated well developed research, conceptual and analytical skills with a proven ability to provide innovative thinking in developing and implementing key initiatives, strategies and programs.
  3. Demonstrated well developed team management and supervisory skills, including the ability to motivate and develop staff and teams effectively

Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experiences in relation to the remaining selection criteria assessed in the further stages of the recruitment process.

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: DOE1056037 

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, 20 July 2026