Early Years Participation Officer

• Salary Range Band 6 $99,631 - $108,597 plus 12% Super
• Permanent Full Time role 
• Located at St Kilda Town Hall
• While the role is primarily community facing, hybrid working arrangements may be supported once established, recognising the need to balance flexibility with leadership, supervison and direct service responsibilities

About the Organisation 

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more. City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation. 

Whats the role about

The role focuses on turning early years policy, funding and integrated practice intentions into practical, coordinated support for families. You will work directly with families experiencing vulnerability to navigate early childhood systems, address barriers to participation and support sustained engagement with Early Childhood Education and Care.

You will provide practice to leadership and professional supervison to Early Years Outreach Officer, supporting reflective, trauma-informed and child safe practice. The role also works closely with internal teams and external partners to strengthen collaboration and integrated service pathways across the early years system.

In addition, you are responsible for the governance and financial management of the Early Education Grant, ensuring compliance, accountability and effective use of funding to achieve positive outcomes for children and families. 

What you might do

• Facilitate meaningful access to Early Childhood Education and Care by working alongside families to navigate systems, address barriers and support sustained participation 
• Supervise the Early Years Outreach Officer through reflective, trauma informed and child safe practice leadership
• Coordinate integrated responses across Council, early years services and community partners to strengthen pathways and service collaboration 
• Drive effective governance and financial accountability of the Early Education Grant to ensure compliance and strong outcomes for children and families.

Who we are looking for

• A suitably qualfied professional who holds a degree in Social Work or equivalent for senior practice in the Child and Family Services sector
• Demonstrated experience in strong sector knowledge within the Early Childhood Education and Care, including an understanding of systemic barries impacting families experiencing vulnerability
• Proven ability to apply best practice, trauma informed and child safe approaches when working with children and families in complex and high need contexts and to model high quality practice for others
• A confident practitioner with the capability to build, influence and sustain collaborative working relationships across multidisciplinary teams, services and agencies, contributing to coordinated and integrated services responses.

Our work environment  

We love what we do and are all proud to work at the City of Port Phillip. Yes, we are local council, and we are one with vibrancy, passion and ambition who are a welcoming, health conscious, diverse and inclusive. Our Main location at the iconic St Kilda Town Hall offers a heritage and modern open plan hub to work from where people can collaborate and develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community.  

Proudly as one we all work together, and grow together, thinking creatively and strategically with courage, integrity, and accountability to put our community first.  

What’s in it for you 

• We offer a hybrid working model with our core setup being 50-60% in the office depending on team requirements and welcome further conversation to meet your working style and needs 
• Be supported and empowered to be your best by a passionate leadership team that encourages collaboration and innovation
• Discounted fitness membership with access to over 260+ gyms, pools, group classes and facilities across Melbourne for you and your family!
• Our work hubs are located close to our very own Child Care centres making accessing childcare a breeze!  
• Career development opportunities within your team and/or across council plus a great study assistance allowance of up to $4000 per year per person and 6 hours per week study leave (on approved courses only) 
• Flexible working conditions, an active social club, supportive health and wellbeing program, and a well- regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Our very own Pride Network, that helps create an environment where each and every person can feel safe, welcomed, seen, and supported to bring their whole selves to work   
• 20 weeks paid parental leave and our pioneering 24 weeks paid leave for single parents 
• Access to novated leasing and salary sacrificed technology

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations 

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and                                                       
• Sufficient proof of their identity. 
• Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider.
• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).  

So, what’s next?  

Hit that APPLY button now! 

Whether you think you meet all the requirements or not, we strongly encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. You’ve got this! 

Please submit; 

• Resume – latest and detailed version  
• Cover letter no longer than 2 pages that captures your response to the Key Selection Criteria found on the Positions Description.  

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered. 

For further information please contact Karla Coombes, Coordinator Family Services on phone 0403 749 895 or via email karla.coombes@portphillip.vic.gov.au

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 31 May 2026 

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability. 

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment and Employee Experience Advisor) on phone 0468 576 806 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

South Melbourne > Port Melbourne > Albert Park > Middle Park > St Kilda > Balaclava > Ripponlea > Elwood