Principal Assessment Officer

Department of Education, Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Flexible hours

Generous leave

Professional development

Salary packaging

Public transport access

Job summary

The Department of Education, Western Australia, is seeking a Principal Assessment Officer to lead the management of high‑level complaints and investigations involving senior officers within a public sector context. You will coordinate case assessment and triage, ensure accurate recording in the Directorate's complaints database, and provide high‑level advice to senior leaders on investigation issues.

The role is based in East Perth with flexible working options and a focus on integrity,

Qualifications

• Lead and coordinate investigations and compliance activities.
• Provide high‑level advice to Director and executives.
• Ensure timely, fair, and compliant handling of complaints.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate assessment and triage of cases for investigations.
• Record and classify complaints in the Directorate's database.
• Liaise with external agencies such as PSC and Ombudsman.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance leadership

Stakeholder liaison

Public sector experience

Education

Bachelor degree in a relevant field

Job description

This is a permanent full-time position commencing ASAP

The Standards and Integrity Directorate, within the Professional Standards and Conduct Division, is responsible for the assessment and management of complaints in accordance with the Complaints and Notifications Policy. The Directorate oversees investigations into staff disciplinary matters, conducts reviews into child deaths and serious incidents, and monitors compliance with Working with Children Check requirements for departmental employees. The Directorate promotes a strong culture of integrity by providing education, training, and support that upholds high standards of conduct. It focuses on effective complaint resolution, child safety, and reducing the risk of serious misconduct, including fraud and corruption, by investigating allegations of staff conduct in line with the Public Sector Management Act 1994, the department’s Code of Conduct, and relevant policy frameworks and instructions from the Public Sector Commissioner

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and committed individual to undertake the management of complaints and investigations of a serious nature involving senior officers, with extensive skills and experience in managing a compliance function within a public sector context.

The successful applicant will provide professional leadership by coordinating the assessment and triaging of cases to the investigation team and ensuring the Directorate’s database of complaints allegations and investigations are professionally recorded, classified, allocated, assessed, monitored and resolved in an efficient, fair and prompt manner and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Principal Assessment Officer will provide timely high-level advice to the Director, Standards and Integrity and to the Senior Executive, Director General and Minister on complaint and investigation issues and management. They will also liaise with external stakeholders including the Corruption and Crime Commission, WA Police Force, the Department of Communities, the Public Sector Commission, the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia and the Ombudsman.

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

Professional Benefits

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home and flexible working hours
• 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)
• Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5-minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

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 Amanda Cann, Manager Assessments and Complaints on [phone] or by emailing [e-mail]

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

• 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.
• hold a current C class drivers' licence.
• travel intrastate as required.
• complete a declaration prior to employment and annually thereafter disclosing any previous disciplinary findings, criminal charges or convictions, and ongoing conflicts of interest
• provide a statement from previous employer/s with regard to any disciplinary findings

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Thursday, 10 September 2026