Program Officer - Psychological Health

WorkSafe Victoria; Geelong; Hybrid; AUD 118,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

WorkSafe Victoria in Geelong is seeking a Program Officer - Psychological Health to join a flexible, multidisciplinary team delivering projects that address complex workplace mental health and safety challenges. You will lead development, implementation and evaluation of strategic initiatives that improve outcomes, influence behaviour change and support compliance across Victorian workplaces.

The role suits an experienced project professional with strong stakeholder engagement, the ability to

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex projects from scoping to implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Outstanding stakeholder management with credibility, facilitation and outcomes.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills for complex issues.
• Experience in government/regulatory environments is highly regarded.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public health, health promotion, OHS, health sciences.

Responsibilities

• Lead scoping, design and development of projects within the Psychological Health division.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to build shared ownership and coordinate meetings/workshops.
• Document purpose, timelines, activities, accountabilities and milestones for programs.
• Use research/evidence to propose solutions and apply behaviour change tools to meet imperatives.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Change management

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualifications in public health/health promotion/OHS

Job description

• $137,963.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
• Full time, fixed term to 13 December 2027 (Parental leave cover)
• Wadawurrung / Geelong based role (hybrid – 3 days a week in office)

About the opportunity

As a Program Officer - Psychological Health, you will work as part of a flexible, multidisciplinary team delivering projects that address complex workplace psychological health and safety challenges.

Working under the direction of a Program Manager, you will lead and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic initiatives that improve psychological health outcomes, influence behaviour change and support compliance across Victorian workplaces.

This role is ideally suited to an experienced project professional with strong stakeholder engagement skills, the ability to navigate complex environments and deliver meaningful outcomes through collaboration.

Key accountabilities include:

• Work collaboratively within the Psychological Health division and across WorkSafe to lead the scoping, design and development of projects. This may include working with external consultants and external partners to bring the technical and/or operational knowledge to deliver outcomes.
• Seek the input of internal and external stakeholders to build shared ownership. This may involve facilitating meetings or workshops and using co-design principles and practices.
• Develop projects in line with the WorkSafe’s prevention initiative lifecycle process including program logic models. Following endorsement of the program logic, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to scope projects and document the purpose, timelines, activities to be delivered, accountabilities and key milestones.
• Use the results of research, analysis or review to identify issues and propose solutions and recommendations. Use appropriate behaviour change levers, and tools, to achieve WorkSafe’s strategic imperatives.

Please ensure you review the Position Description for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You are an experienced project and stakeholder engagement professional who thrives in complex environments and can confidently engage with senior leaders. You will bring a collaborative, outcome-focused approach, balancing competing priorities while building strong relationships and shared ownership. You will be comfortable leading challenging conversations and negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes and the judgement to influence senior stakeholders, navigate differing perspectives and maintain momentum on strategic initiatives. You enjoy working in a flexible, supportive team environment where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, speak up and work together to achieve outcomes.

Additionally, you will possess the following skills and experience:

• Experience managing and delivering complex projects and programs from scoping and design through to implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility, facilitate robust discussions, manage differing viewpoints and achieve positive outcomes.
• High-level communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including the confidence to lead discussions on complex or sensitive issues and challenge constructively when required.
• Experience working within government, regulatory or similarly complex environments will be highly regarded.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in a related discipline (e.g. public health, health promotion, OHS, health sciences - desired).

Working with us

At WorkSafe, our goal is for every employee to feel connected, safe, and valued within their team, for teams to feel appreciated in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be respected in the community.

We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, including First Nations people, people with disabilities, those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and individuals of all sexualities and genders.

What’s next?

Applications close 11pm Friday 30 October 2026.

Preferred candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and/or other checks as required for the position as part of the recruitment process.

Eligibility for ongoing employment with WorkSafe Victoria requires Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.

Due to the volume of applications received, individualised feedback will only be provided to candidates who progress to interview stage.

For further enquiries please contact Abbey Bernard via email *************@worksafe.vic.gov.au