Senior System Administrator

Department of Education Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education Victoria – Melbourne VIC seeks a Senior Technical Specialist to maintain and improve a hybrid-cloud technology environment. You will advise on VMware, Microsoft, AWS, Windows Server, Linux and SaaS platforms, while contributing to reliability, security and operational excellence.

You will mentor staff, participate in infrastructure projects, and work with internal and external partners to deliver fit-for-purpose technology services in a government education setting.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior technical advisory experience across complex ICT infrastructure.
• Strong problem-solving skills across hybrid-cloud environments.
• Experience engaging with business and technology stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical advice across data centre, cloud and end-user computing.
• Lead infrastructure projects and ensure platform reliability and security.
• Mentor staff and build capability within the technical team.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to align technology with business needs.

Skills

Senior ICT advice

Systems administration

Hybrid-cloud

Microsoft

AWS

VMware

Windows Server

Linux

SaaS platforms

Education

ICT degree or certification

Job description

Department of Education Victoria – Melbourne VIC

The VCAA is a statutory body responsible to the Victorian Minister for Education, serving both government and non-government schools. In this context, the VCAA is responsible for developing high-quality curriculum and assessment products and services.

The VCAA is a registered foundational and senior secondary awarding body with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). As part of its functions, the VCAA develops policies, criteria and standards for:

• curriculum, assessments and courses for school-aged students
• learning, development and assessments which relate to early childhood

The VCAA develops strong relationships with the government, Independent and Catholic school sector, other national and interstate curriculum authorities, academics in the field, teacher/subject associations and, most importantly, with Victorian educators.

All VCAA employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with relevant legislation, governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety obligations, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees, and the Victorian Public Sector Values.

All roles are expected to work collaboratively across teams and functions, build productive relationships, and contribute to shared organisational outcomes.

About the Division

Corporate Services Division provides enabling services to support the operation of the VCAA with communications, engagement, data and analytics, legal policy, finance, human resources, technology infrastructure and applications.

Corporate Services is focussed on delivering high quality, innovative services and operating as a strong collaborative partner to the Curriculum and Assessment Divisions to support delivery of the VCAAs vision and mission.

The Technology Platforms and Operations Unit in the IMT Branch keeps the underlying platforms and services stable, secure and well supported. It provides the operational backbone for IMT through platform engineering, infrastructure, service desk and end-user services, while supporting reliability, resilience and disaster recovery execution.

About the role

Working within the Technology Platforms & Operations Unit, you will play a key role in maintaining and improving the technology environment that underpins VCAA's business and digital services. You will work across a diverse hybrid-cloud environment, providing expertise across data centre infrastructure, cloud platforms, end-user computing and enterprise software platforms.

You will provide technical support and advice across technologies including VMware, Microsoft and AWS cloud services, Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Intune, MDM and enterprise SaaS platforms. You will also respond to escalated technical issues, contribute to infrastructure projects and support the ongoing management, reliability and improvement of VCAA's technology environment.

The role works closely with other technology teams and business areas to ensure technology platforms are secure, reliable, fit for purpose and aligned with business needs. You will also contribute to technology improvement initiatives, asset management practices and the development of consistent operational processes.

As a senior technical specialist, you will share knowledge and mentor other technical staff, helping build capability across the team and supporting a collaborative, customer-focused technology service.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, systems thinking, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving capabilities. You will be comfortable operating across a complex hybrid-cloud technology environment and able to provide clear, authoritative technical advice while balancing operational requirements with broader business needs.

You will also bring:

• demonstrated experience providing senior technical advice and support across complex ICT infrastructure, cloud, end-user computing and/or enterprise software environments
• strong systems administration capability, with experience across hybrid-cloud environments and technologies such as Microsoft, AWS, VMware, Windows Server, Linux and SaaS platforms
• the ability to diagnose complex technical issues, identify underlying causes and develop practical, sustainable solutions
• strong systems thinking, with the ability to understand how technology platforms, infrastructure, applications and business services interact and identify opportunities for improvement
• highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly and work effectively with both technology and business stakeholders
• experience contributing to infrastructure and technology projects, including planning, implementation, risk management and coordination with internal and external delivery partners
• a commitment to maintaining reliable, secure and fit‑for‑purpose technology platforms and continuously improving technology services and operational processes
• experience sharing technical knowledge, mentoring colleagues and building capability across a technical team
• the ability to work flexibly across changing priorities while maintaining a strong customer and service focus
• the ability to model Victorian Public Sector Values and contribute to a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Demonstrated experience in a senior technical role supporting complex ICT infrastructure and technology environments, with strong systems administration, troubleshooting and problem-solving capability. Experience providing technical advice, contributing to technology projects and working effectively with business and technology stakeholders.

Experience across hybrid-cloud environments, Microsoft and/or AWS, VMware, Windows Server, Linux, end-user computing or enterprise SaaS platforms. Experience in government or a similarly complex environment, including infrastructure operations, service management or technology improvement. A relevant tertiary qualification or professional certification in information technology or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Chris Hofmann – Director, Technology via 03 8709 1*** or *************@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close

11:59pm on 04-Nov-2026