Are you looking for a new and exciting career opportunity where you will lead a small school and play a vital role in their community, ensuring that all students regardless of where they live, have access to a quality education?

If so, we are seeking dynamic educators to lead Level 1 and Level 2 small schools in delivering a clear, inspiring vision while driving improvements in student outcomes.

This recruitment pool is for aspiring principals, current acting Level 1 and 2 principals and those who wish to progress from Level 1 to Level 2. This opportunity is open to Departmental employees and non-Queensland Department of Education employees providing you have Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) registration.

If you are driven and wish to leave a lasting positive impact for our students, apply now!

Job details

About the Department of Education

The Department of Education is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community and schools we support by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This starts with recruitment and selection. The methods of assessing suitability in the recruitment process may vary. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support applicants at all stages of the process and employee lifecycle.

Your Opportunity

The Education Futures Institute is establishing a recruitment pool for educators who would like to be Level 1 and Level 2 principals during the 2026 school year. This new recruitment process will support aspirants, current acting Level 1 and 2 principals and those who wish to progress from Level 1 to Level 2. Ensure you apply for this process to take up an opportunity to lead or continue to lead a Small School with the Queensland Department of Education. 

Successful applicants have the opportunity to complete the 6-month Small School Principal Preparation Program. This is a targeted leadership capability development program providing participants the opportunity to develop their personal and professional capabilities in a hands-on learning environment. 

The program includes two intensive leadership workshops and two work shadowing opportunities in a SL1 or SL2 school. Detailed information about the program can be accessed as an attachment below. More information can be found on the EFI Catalogue (Department of Education staff only).

Face to face Intensive 1 will take place in Brisbane 17-19 June 2025.
Face to face Intensive 2 will take place in Brisbane 29-30 October 2025.

During the program participants will complete a suitability statement and undertake an interview. Applicants deemed suitable, following their interview (during final intensive phase) may be offered (subject to availability) Level 1 or Level 2 principal positions in 2026.

Recruitment Process:

Step 1:
Complete the SmartJobs application process including a CV, questionnaire response and principal endorsement. Successful applicants will be offered a place within the Small School Principal Preparation Program.

Step 2:
Complete the Small School Principal Preparation Program. Throughout the program participants will submit a written suitability statement.  Some participants may not be required to complete the program if they have completed a similar program previously. This will be assessed on an individual basis with the panel.

Step 3:
Successful applicants will undertake a suitability interview.

Step 4:
Participants deemed suitable in step 3 will be placed in a pool for future Level 1 and Level 2 vacancies. When a vacancy arises the suitable applicants from the pool will be considered by the School Supervisor and a suitable officer will be offered a position.

Please note this recruitment process will occur twice per year. 

Mandatory Requirements:

• Applicants must possess full registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.

How to Apply

• Please attach a CV including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant previous work history); and
• A completed and signed copy of the attached Principal/Supervisor Endorsement document.
• Responses to the online questionnaire (the questionnaire will open after you have clicked apply and entered your personal details).

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. 
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.

• Small School Principal Recruitment Process (PDF, 824KB)
  Other
  
  Small School Principal Preparation Program Overview (PDF, 1.10MB)
  Other
  
  Small School Principal Preparation Program - Principal or Supervisor Endorsement (Word, 838KB)
  Other
  
  DOE632805_25E - Role Description (PDF, 387KB)
  Role Description
  
  Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants