Principal Investigator

Principal Investigator

At the NSW Department of Education we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• 1 x ongoing position and the creation of a talent pool for future permanent and temporary vacancies


• Full time role located in Parramatta with flexible and hybrid working arrangements available


• Clerk Grade 11/12 - Salary range $149,739 to $173,174 plus superannuation and annual leave loading

About Professional and Ethical Standards Directorate

Professional and Ethical Standards (PES) is comprised of Investigations, Employee Performance, Feedback and Complaints, PES Legal, Support Services and Strategic Initiatives and Projects. The role of PES is to respond effectively to employee misconduct, support workplace managers to address employee underperformance, and ensure that sound systems are in place to manage community and staff complaints.

PES does this by:

• undertaking investigations into allegations of misconduct, including allegations of a child protection nature and allegations of serious wrongdoing


• fulfilling the department’s statutory responsibilities as they relate to investigations, including by reporting to external agencies as required


• oversighting performance improvement programs for department employees and assisting leaders to effectively manage underperformance


• leading and positively influencing complaint practices by building capacity and assisting schools to foster productive relationships with families.

About the role

Investigation work is rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s not an easy job. Practitioners need to be skilled in investigations, confident, highly analytical, resilient individuals who can work collaboratively with students, families and department employees, including members of the senior executive.

Reporting to a director, the principal investigator plans and undertakes investigations into allegations of improper conduct by department employees. The principal investigator provides advice and guidance to managers and supports all stakeholders throughout the investigation process. The principal investigator supervises and mentors investigators and senior investigators within an investigation team and is involved in training and development across PES.

To support you in your role, we offer flexible working arrangements, a comprehensive induction program and in-house and external training.

For further information please view the role description .

About you

Our ideal candidate is self-motivated, resilient and confident in undertaking complex and high-risk employment investigations. 

You have experience managing risk throughout an investigation and writing well-reasoned evidence-based reports within legislative and policy frameworks. You readily share your knowledge to guide less experienced investigators and to support the overall work of the team and improve investigative practice.

You are an excellent communicator who creates strong stakeholder relationships.

Essential requirements of the role

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.


• Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check) for paid employment.


• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Key knowledge and experience

• High level skills and experience in conducting complex investigations and writing investigation reports.


• Experience in supervising and providing mentoring and support to less experienced investigators.


• High level internal and external stakeholder management skills, including consultation, negotiation and influencing skills.


• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to make a difference at the Department of Education


• Flexible working arrangements with a 35-hour working week


• Competitive salary, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading


• Flex leave entitlements, generous holidays and leave conditions


• Fitness passport


• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the department to support your career growth

How to apply

When applying you will need to:

Attach a resume (maximum 4 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

You must also include a separate response to the two targeted questions below (maximum 400 words per question).

PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONS

1. How would you approach obtaining evidence from a child or vulnerable witness? What challenges have you experienced, or would you foresee in eliciting evidence in these circumstances?

2. Principal Investigators are required to produce clear, balanced and evidence-based written reports to support senior decision makers. Please describe a time when you were required to analyse complex or conflicting information and produce a written report, briefing, recommendation or other formal written outcome.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment to the department’s values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a Working with Children Check and National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number and complete a National Criminal Record Check. Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. 

Closing date: 9 July 2026 at 11:59 pm.

For role enquiries please contact Amanda Sharwood, Director Investigations on 0436 811 259 or at [email protected] and for recruitment process enquiries please contact [email protected]

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.