The Northern Peninsula Area State College - Bamaga Junior Campus is seeking applications from suitably experienced teachers for the temporary position of Head of Department - Student Engagement.

If you have skills and experience in student engagement strategies, then this position is an opportunity to experience middle leadership, live in an incredibly rich cultural area of Cape York and make a difference in the lives of First Nations students.

You will work alongside the Head of Campus and are accountable to and under the direction of the College Principal/delegate.

This position is available until the end of Term 4, 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Job details

This is a temporary full-time position until 11 December 2026, with possibility of extension.

About NPASC

Northern Peninsular Area State College is situated on the tip of Cape York Peninsula. The College (NPASC) is a K-12 College with 3 campuses. Ama Mary Eseli Injinoo and Bamaga Primary Campuses have Kindy to Year 6, while Year 7 - 12 secondary student needs are met by the Senior Campus in Bamaga. All campuses are managed by a Head of Campus, with the College Principal overseeing strategic direction.

About the Northern Peninsula Area Communities

The NPA communities consist of people who identify strongly with Aboriginal culture, Torres Strait Islander culture and non-indigenous cultures. Many local families originate from Saibai Island and Badu Island, as well as many other islands in the Torres Strait.

The people of Injinoo are descendants of the original Aboriginal people of this area, while other Aboriginal communities have strong ties with Old Mapoon near Weipa or Lockhart River. There is a regular flow of family members visiting relatives and relatives visiting from throughout the Torres Strait and other mainland centres such as Townsville, Cairns and Weipa. This makes for a variety of cultural practices, experiences and expectations.

About Living in Bamaga

Living and working in the remote town of Bamaga, you will have access to the generous benefits the Department offers for temporary teachers and staff employed in rural and remote locations. These benefits include travel, location allowances and subsidised departmental housing.

About the Role

As the Head of Department - Student Engagement you will:

• Focus on initiatives to support the educational outcomes for students.
• Incorporate the vision of Early Childhood and State Schools Division into school planning.
• Develop the quality of teaching and learning.
• Nurture positive relationships between students, teachers and the community.
• This role incorporates a notional teaching load to be negotiated.

As the Head of Department - Student Engagement, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and guidance for the implementation of innovative measures aimed at improving student
  learning outcomes and attendance in schools where a significant percentage of students may have a
  disadvantaged background, ensuring quality learning outcomes for all students.
• Monitor students' individual performance and behaviour and develop and implement intervention strategies
  where necessary.
• Develop and implement community engagement strategies and programs with other organisations, local
  businesses and not for profit organisations.
• Liaise with external agencies (for example, indigenous support agencies) to support new arrivals and their
  families through integrating them into the new environment and incorporate the holistic needs of new students
  including academic, social and emotional.
• Embed socially just practices in daily school life through leadership in relation to student attendance and
  improved academic outcomes.

Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.

Interested? To Apply

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should be familiar with your relevant work history).
• Attach a written statement (2-page maximum) addressing Key Capabilities 1-4 from the 'How you will be assessed' section of the Role Description.  

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. 
When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services. 
Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE).
The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies. 

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached role description and candidate information fact sheet and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  FNR640934_25T - Role Description (PDF, 389KB)
  Role Description