Director of Social Work Field Education

University of Melbourne; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 153,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Melbourne invites applications for a Director of Social Work Field Education within the Department of Social Work. You will shape field education for the accredited Master of Social Work, designing transformative placement experiences with students, educators and community partners.

You will also cultivate a distinctive research program advancing innovative professional practice education and lead a diverse, high-performing team with strategic partnerships across sectors.

Qualifications

• PhD in social work or cognate discipline and AASW-eligible qualification.
• Five years’ professional social work practice experience.
• Experience leading academic or professional teams.
• Excel in innovative teaching and curriculum design.
• Build productive partnerships with universities and community organisations to drive educational innovation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for field education within the Master of Social Work program.
• Design, deliver and improve field education curriculum aligned with accreditation requirements.
• Oversee student placements with supervision, learning outcomes and risk management.
• Lead and develop the field education team, fostering inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Build and sustain partnerships, research projects and sector initiatives that enhance social work education nationally.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum design

Partnership building

Research in education

Academic leadership

Education

PhD in social work or cognate discipline

AASW-eligible social work qualification

Job description

Role type:Full Time; Continuing
Faculty: Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Department/ School: Department of Social Work, School of Health Sciences
Salary: Level C - $152,695 to $176,065 OR Level D - $183,254 to $202,556 p.a plus 17% super

• Shape the future of social work field education / drive innovative practice-based learning / strengthen sector-wide partnerships
• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

In this role, you will lead field education across our accredited Master of Social Work.
You will design transformative placement experiences in partnership with students, educators and diverse community organisations.
You will also build a distinctive research program advancing innovation in professional practice education.

What you will deliver:

• Provide strategic leadership for all field education activities within the Master of Social Work program.
• Design, deliver and continuously improve contemporary field education curriculum and subjects aligned with accreditation requirements.
• Oversee diverse, high-quality student placements, ensuring excellent supervision, learning outcomes and risk management.
• Lead, mentor and develop the field education team, fostering inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Build and sustain partnerships, research projects and sector initiatives that enhance social work education nationally.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a PhD in social work or cognate discipline and AASW-eligible social work qualification.
• Bring at least five years’ professional social work practice experience across relevant fields or settings.
• Demonstrate leadership of academic or professional teams, fostering inclusive, collaborative cultures and high-quality field education.
• Excel in innovative teaching and curriculum design, particularly practice-based and field education initiatives.
• Develop and disseminate impactful research or scholarship in field education, with emerging or established national profile.
• Build productive partnerships with universities, professional bodies and community organisations to drive educational innovation.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balanceand well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave, cultural leave, and menstruation and menopause leave.
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team

You will join the Department of Social Work in the School of Health Sciences, within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Our academic team is committed to social justice, ethical practice and innovative, evidence-informed education. We work closely with an extensive network of community, health and human service partners across diverse practice settings. You will be supported to lead, collaborate and grow your academic career in a collegial, inclusive environment.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at ***********@unimelb.edu.au.

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Milena Heinsch
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Tara at **********@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on [phone] or at **********@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Position Description

JR-018875 Director of Social Work Field Education .docx

JR-018875 Director of Social Work Field Education .pdf