Program Coordinator - Culturally Responsive Secondary Regional and Remote Teaching Team

Department of Education, Western Australia; City Of Vincent; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel program

Professional development

Competitive salaries

Job summary

The Department of Education, Western Australia invites applications for a Program Coordinator – Culturally Responsive Secondary Regional and Remote Teaching Team within SIDE. The 24-month fixed-term full-time role commencing Term 1, 2027 focuses on culturally responsive programs, student wellbeing and engagement for secondary students.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, drive professional learning, and build partnerships with Aboriginal students, families and communities; you will design,

Qualifications

• Experience leading secondary education programs.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with Aboriginal communities.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to design and evaluate culturally responsive learning programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of teachers in regional and remote settings.
• Coordinate professional learning and staff capability through coaching.
• Monitor student progress and report on program effectiveness.

Skills

Educational leadership

Coaching

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Student wellbeing

Culturally responsive practice

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Webex

Moodle

Job description

This is a 24-month fixed-term full-time (1.0FTE) position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension and/or permanency.

Are you a dynamic, innovative, and culturally responsive leader?

The Role

School Of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) is seeking to appoint a Program Coordinator – Culturally Responsive Secondary Regional and Remote Teaching Team. In this role, you will ideally engage with students, staff, partner schools and community to support the development of culturally responsive programs and learning pathways. The role supports school-wide planning and capability development, with a strong focus on strengthening culturally responsive pedagogies and student wellbeing and engagement for secondary school students.

As Program Coordinator, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team of secondary teachers who are working predominantly with lower secondary Aboriginal students in regional and remote schools. As an instructional leader, with qualifications and experience in a secondary context, you will ideally bring a strategic and culturally responsive lens to your teaching and to the ongoing collaborative process of developing and implementing instructional models that are responsive to place and context. You would lead professional learning and build staff capability through coaching, classroom observation and the performance management process. Your approach should be informed by a deep understanding of what effective teachers and leaders believe, know and do to create the conditions for student success.

The role ideally requires strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to develop trusting, mutually respectful partnerships with Aboriginal students, families, Elders, and community members. The Program Coordinator plays a vital role in building and strengthening culturally responsive relationships and learning environments to create the conditions for cultural safety. Applicants should have the knowledge and skills to collaboratively design, implement and evaluate learning programs with Aboriginal people to reflect community aspirations, local cultural knowledges, and student voice. SIDE, a Ngaparrtji Ngaparrtji Two-way Science partner school, draws heavily on the initiative’s principles for engagement to connect with the educational opportunities of students' local Aboriginal communities.

Operational management responsibilities of the role may include staff coordination, resource planning, timetabling, monitoring and tracking of student progress, data analysis and development of strategic plans, programs and reports. Critical thinking, flexibility and a strength-based approach to problem-solving will be key attributes in this role.

As SIDE continues its journey of cultural responsiveness, it is highly desirable the successful applicant recognises their own journey and embraces the opportunity for ongoing growth.

School Of Isolated and Distance Education

SIDE has a critical role within the Western Australian education system, supporting system needs and priorities. Our vision is to enhance and expand learning opportunities for Western Australian students, regardless of their circumstances, through high quality, inclusive and culturally responsive educational programs in a blended learning environment, guided by our values of Connection, Courage, Equity, Creativity and Compassion.

SIDE works with approximately 4000 students from diverse communities across Western Australia, including students based in over 300 partner schools. Our external students are predominantly in regional and remote schools and have a range of diverse cultural backgrounds. As a leader at SIDE, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the development and delivery of high-quality, student-focused, programs in a broad range of contexts.

As a recognised leader in blended education in Australia, SIDE models exemplary practice in the use of both synchronous (Webex) and asynchronous (Moodle) platforms of instruction. SIDE has a dedicated training and support program for staff who join our school. Our practice is both contemporary and constantly evolving, making SIDE an exciting and dynamic place to work.

All teaching staff and members of the Leadership team may be expected to participate in our regional travel program to meet the needs of students and partner schools. Visits are planned in negotiation with staff, and at times may include short-term stays in regional and remote locations.

SIDE has a main campus in Leederville and teaching facilities at Canning College, Clarkson Community High School, Northlake Senior Campus and Eaton Community College. By negotiation, you may be based across any of these or future venues.

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

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

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 Rachael Macfarlane, Deputy Principal on 0428 735 702 or [e-mail].

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 National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.

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).

Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SA1069917

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Wednesday, 11 November 2026.