We are seeking to establish a pool of Program Coordinators for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during Term 1 and Term 2 of the 2027 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.

Ngaanyatjarra Lands School (NLS) is a remote multi-campus school serving the communities of Blackstone (Papulankutja), Jameson (Mantamaru), Kiwirrkurra, Wanarn, Warakurna, Warburton and Wingellina (Irrunytju) across the Western Australian Central Desert. The school operates within the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, where the Aboriginal people (Anangu/Yarnangu) are part of the Western Desert Cultural Bloc, a rich and enduring cultural system founded on deep connections to Country, language, kinship and traditional knowledge.

Find out more about our school by visiting www.nglandschool.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

For more information about working in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and the exciting employment opportunities we have to offer, please watch our video below.

The Role

Are you a passionate and dedicated individual looking for a rewarding opportunity? 

NLS is establishing a Program Coordinator Pool to lead and strengthen school-wide approaches that support the learning needs of remote Aboriginal English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) learners.

NLS comprises seven geographically dispersed campuses that work together to provide high-quality, culturally responsive education for children and young people from Early Childhood through to Secondary schooling. While Program Coordinators are based in one of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands communities, the role requires regular and extensive travel across all seven campuses to provide instructional leadership, coaching, professional learning and strategic support to school leaders and teachers.

Due to the remote nature of the role, travel will involve driving four-wheel drive vehicles on unsealed roads and undertaking charter flights on small aircraft.

Suitable applicants will ideally be flexible and adaptable, with the capacity to work across diverse educational settings and, where required, stay in shared staff housing or roadhouse accommodation while travelling between campuses.

Working across all phases of learning, Program Coordinators play a critical role in strengthening teaching practice, supporting school improvement initiatives and ensuring consistent, evidence-informed approaches to curriculum, assessment and student engagement throughout the school. Success in this role requires the ability to build strong professional relationships, work collaboratively across multiple campuses and lead improvement in a complex and unique remote school context.

We are currently have three permanent positions available and are recruiting for the following portfolio areas:

• Yarnangu Training Coordinator
• Literacy Coordinator
• Numeracy Coordinator

Applicants should clearly indicate their preferred portfolio in their application. Applicants may nominate more than one portfolio for consideration and should demonstrate their experience and suitability for each nominated area.

Yarnangu Training Coordinator

The Yarnangu Training Coordinator will work collaboratively with Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AIEOs), Aboriginal Language Teachers and other staff across the geographically dispersed campuses of Ngaanyatjarra Lands School. The role is responsible for the ongoing development, coordination and delivery of a comprehensive training and support framework that incorporates both formal qualifications and contextualised, workplace-based learning.

A key focus of the position will be supporting staff undertaking training to become Aboriginal Language Teachers. The coordinator will provide high-quality, individualised support that responds to the diverse learning and development needs of staff and aligns with the school’s strong commitment to Aboriginal leadership, cultural responsiveness and workforce development. Suitable applicants will demonstrate a sound understanding of the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework and a genuine commitment to empowering Aboriginal educators.

The role requires significant experience working with Aboriginal educators in a training, adult education or educational leadership capacity. Suitable applicants will ideally be able to demonstrate flexibility, creativity and innovation in facilitating learning, adapting training approaches to meet individual and community contexts while maintaining a strong focus on successful outcomes.

The Yarnangu Training Coordinator will have current experience engaging with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in very remote settings and a proven ability to identify, access and develop appropriate training pathways and units of study. Strong organisational and coordination skills are essential, including the capacity to manage training requirements, liaise with multiple stakeholders and work collaboratively with a broad range of personnel both within and beyond the school.

Dedication, energy, patience and resilience are critical attributes for success in this role, together with the ability to work independently and effectively towards a range of priorities and objectives. This is a highly valued position within the school and presents a unique opportunity to work alongside skilled and respected Yarnangu staff who provide important cultural and educational leadership within both the school and their communities.

Literacy Coordinator and Numeracy Coordinator

Suitable applicants will ideally possess a strong understanding of the unique educational, cultural and community context of Ngaanyatjarra Lands School (NLS), together with a demonstrated record of leading initiatives that have enhanced cross-cultural learning and improved student engagement, attendance and achievement. They will have comprehensive knowledge of the literacy and numeracy frameworks implemented across NLS and a proven capacity to lead whole-school assessment, data analysis and school improvement processes.

Highly developed expertise in supporting teachers to design and deliver high-quality, culturally responsive learning programs that meet the needs of Aboriginal EAL/D learners will be highly regarded. Suitable applicants will also display the ability to lead the development and refinement of school-wide systems, processes and documentation that strengthen teaching, learning and leadership practices across a complex multi-campus environment.

Program Coordinators provide strategic leadership in curriculum development, instructional improvement and professional learning. You will play a pivotal role in advancing contextualised, culturally responsive teaching practices and building the capability of staff working within two-way classroom teams. Working collaboratively with the NLS leadership team, including senior Aboriginal cultural and curriculum advisors, you will support campus leaders and teachers to implement high-quality planning, teaching and assessment practices aligned with the school's vision, values and agreed pedagogical approaches.

Success in these roles requires expertise in differentiated learning, integrated curriculum design, instructional leadership and evidence-informed practice. You will have the ability to coach, mentor and support staff to achieve continuous improvement and deliver positive outcomes for students across diverse learning settings.

Suitable applicants will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder, committed to achieving equitable and successful outcomes for all students. We are looking for highly effective and adaptable leaders who can navigate complex educational environments with professionalism, cultural responsiveness and innovation. The capacity to provide strategic guidance to principals and teachers, manage resources effectively and foster strong partnerships with staff, families and communities is essential.

Experience implementing trauma-informed practices and working respectfully and collaboratively with Aboriginal students, families and communities is highly desirable. Demonstrated success in improving student engagement, strengthening attendance and re-engaging learners who have become disconnected from schooling will be highly regarded

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education comes with a wide range of benefits designed to support both your professional and personal well-being. These benefits include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, extensive training and career development opportunities, and attractive leave provisions. Here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:

• Attractive Remote Teaching Service Allowance of $20 870 per year
• District allowance of $2 734 per year
• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• 10 weeks Remote Teaching Service leave upon completion of six semesters of continuous service, or 22 weeks after eight semesters
• Subsidised leave travel during major vacations
• Free GROH housing
• Airconditioning Subsidy
• Free furniture relocation (same support offered after completion of the contract)
• Long term furniture storage while in GROH accommodation
• Vehicle relocation

You may be eligible for HELP/HECS assistance if you are working in a very remote location – click here for details.

Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

For additional information to all allowances and housing please contact Housing and Transport at housing.transport@education.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9264 5154.

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 Jason Van Poelgeest, Executive Principal, on (08) 8954 9502 or emailing Principal.Ngaanyatjarra.LS@education.wa.edu.au.

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 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.
• 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, who can support the claims made in your written application.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include:

• A CV outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and
• A statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
  1. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
  2. High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
  3. Demonstrated professional knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure a high level of educational outcomes for all students, (e.g. Aboriginal students, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with special needs).
  4. Demonstrated capacity to manage physical and financial resources.

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: SS/SA1070107

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 9 November 2026