Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Position description
JAR:
QLD/QCAA49/16
Closing date: Wednesday 31st August 2016
Further enquiries:
Paul Ould - Telephone (07) 3864 0310
Email: Paul.Ould@qcaa.qld.edu.au
Position title:
Manager (Science)
Work unit:
Learning Areas Unit, Senior Assessment and Moderation Branch
/ Review and Transition Branch, Curriculum Services Division
Location:
South Brisbane
Classification:
AO8
Public Service Award — State
36 ¼ hours per week
Temporary full-time position (1 January 2017 to 31 December
2019)
Review date:
July 2016
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is a statutory body of the
Queensland Government established under the Education (Queensland Curriculum and
Assessment Authority) Act 2014. In collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders and partner
agencies, the QCAA plays a critical role in the design and delivery of education in Queensland. It
is responsible for the development, review and approval of guidelines and syllabuses for
Kindergarten to Year 12, as well as the development of associated professional resources for
teachers. It is also responsible for testing, assessment, moderation, certification, and tertiary
entrance procedures.
Work environment
The QCAA is a learning organisation that values service, innovation, partnerships and trust. The
staff of the QCAA believes these values are important and contribute to a productive and
enjoyable workplace and quality relationships with our stakeholders. All QCAA employees should
reflect these values on an ongoing basis when undertaking their role and interacting with internal
and external clients.
The Senior Assessment and Moderation Branch and the Review and Transition Branch are part
of QCAA’s Curriculum Services Division. Please refer to page 2 of QCAA’s Information for
Applicants booklet to see where these branches sit within QCAA’s organisational structure and
for a brief description of the functions of each division.
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Staff work flexibly and collaboratively across these two branches to support implementation of
new senior assessment and tertiary entrance systems for students commencing Year 11 in 2018.
The Queensland Government announced these changes following a review of senior assessment
and tertiary entrance in Queensland conducted by the Australian Council for Educational
Research (ACER) in 2014.
Features of the new systems most relevant to this position include:
• a senior assessment model that combines school-based assessment developed and marked
by teachers with common external assessment developed and marked by the QCAA
• new processes that strengthen the quality and comparability of school-based assessment.
A major redevelopment of QCAA syllabuses is required to support these changes. A key
responsibility of this position is to lead the redevelopment of senior syllabuses and the
development of resources to support syllabus implementation.
This position may also work in conjunction with existing positions to continue to support the
current assessment and moderation system for senior students throughout 2017 and 2018.
Please access the following link for further information on the ACER Review:
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/27090.html
Reporting relationships
The Manager (Science) will report to the Assistant Director, Senior Assessment and Moderation
and / or the Assistant Director, Review and Transition.
Various positions report directly to this role. These are:
•
Principal Education Officers (AO7). Each Principal Education Officer supervises the work of a
team of Senior Education Officers (AO6) and external teams.
•
Administration Officer (A03).
Role of the position
The role of the Manager (Science) is to lead and develop new initiatives and projects to support
the new system of senior assessment, including the redevelopment of senior syllabuses and
associated support materials for implementation.
The position may also be required to work with other officers across the division to support
Queensland’s current system of assessment and moderation.
The position also leads the development of policies related to the senior phase of schooling. In
this capacity, the Manager (Science) has a key leadership role in managing projects and
promoting consistent understandings associated with curriculum, teaching and learning, and
assessment.
Major responsibilities
•
•
Provide strategic advice to senior officers on senior phase curriculum; teaching, learning and
assessment; and professional development.
Lead and manage initiatives and projects including:
−
development and revision of senior syllabuses
−
development of resources to support syllabus implementation
−
development of assessment resources to support both school-devised and
external assessment.
• Provide expert advice on emerging issues in the senior phase of schooling, including the new
senior curriculum and assessment system and the Australian Curriculum.
• Provide leadership to officers of the division to enhance client satisfaction with senior
curriculum resources and professional development.
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• Oversee quality assurance processes and procedures for the development and maintenance of
syllabuses and supporting resources.
• Guide the Principal Education Officers’ leadership of operational teams responsible for
developing syllabuses and liaise with the Manager, Professional Learning Programs on the
development of professional development and training to support state-wide implementation of
new senior curriculum and assessment systems.
• Coordinate and prepare correspondence, reports, briefing papers and policy advice in relation
to curriculum and assessment development and implementation.
• Manage and coordinate the work of Principal Education Officers and Senior Education Officers
to align with QCAA strategic priorities.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders in relation to the development, interpretation and
implementation of the strategic priorities, policies and procedures involving assessment and
certification.
• Contribute to a performance management and development culture by overseeing the
development and monitoring of Performance and Development Plans (PDPs) for staff, and
ensuring regular two-way feedback discussions occur between staff and their direct supervisor.
Key attributes
Within the context of the responsibilities described above, the ideal candidate for this role will:
 Shape strategic thinking through their understanding of QCAA’s objectives and displaying
their expert knowledge of curriculum when providing quality advice to senior management,
and their ability to provide a clear sense of purpose and direction for their staff.
 Achieve results through their ability to successfully lead the interpretation, implementation
and renewal of Queensland’s senior assessment and tertiary systems utilising resources
flexibly to achieve required outcomes.
 Cultivate productive working relationships through their ability to build and nurture
sustainable relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, and their ability to
anticipate and be responsive to client needs.
 Exemplify personal drive and integrity by modelling a professional, impartial and principled
approach to their work, a commitment to self-development, and their ability to continually
improve organisational processes with a focus on innovation and creativity.
 Communicate with influence through using highly developed written and verbal
communication skills, including the ability to negotiate persuasively with stakeholders based
on a strong understanding of all relevant issues.
You are only required to respond to the first three key attributes in your application. Please
refer to the Your application section on the last page for important information on what your
application needs to include.
Additional information
 Enquiries from potential applicants who would like further information on the role are welcome
and encouraged. Please refer to the contact details provided at the top of the position
description.
 Experience in the development and / or delivery of external assessment in an educational
setting would be an advantage.
 This is a temporary position from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. The vacancy will be
filled by temporary appointment or secondment negotiated with other employers.
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 Applications will remain current for identical vacancies that become available during the next
12 months.
 Selection is based on merit. The QCAA is committed to fair treatment and equality of
opportunity for all current and prospective employees.
 Salary will be at AO8 level.
 All QCAA employees are subject to the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.
Please refer to following website if you would like to view the code and other important
information on ethics in the Queensland public sector. (http://www.ethics.qld.gov.au)
 QCAA supports an appropriate work/life balance for all employees. Access is available to
flexible working arrangements that exist within QCAA.
 Travel and overnight absences from base will be required in this position.
 Applicants should possess a C class driver’s licence.
 For further information refer to the QCAA document Information for Applicants.
 URL: http://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au
Your application
Your application should consist of:
• A statement (maximum of two pages) that addresses the first three key attributes: Shape
strategic thinking, Achieve results, and Cultivate productive working relationships. Other key
attributes will be assessed over the course of the selection process.
• A current resume (maximum of two pages) outlining your qualifications and relevant
experience, and the names and contact details of two work-related referees. At least one
referee must have a thorough knowledge of your conduct and performance within the
previous two years.
To submit your application:
 Submit your application online through Smart Jobs and Careers website
http://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/
If you have any technical difficulties in submitting your application, please contact 07 3864 0204.
Application format:
 Applications must be in ‘Microsoft Word’ or ‘pdf’ format only and use at least font size 11.
 Please ensure that the attachments are the correct version you want submitted as your
application.
 Please ensure that all ‘tracked changes’ are accepted and you submit the FINAL version i.e.
do not attach a document that has ‘tracking changes’ on and is not showing the actual markups / changes. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority cannot accept the
changes to your documents and will use the ‘marked up’ version showing your changes.
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