Department for Education
Job reference: 858739
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a excellent education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role

The Principal Investigator is responsible for providing investigative leadership and expertise to a team of senior investigators in relation to serious employee misconduct.

The Principal Investigator plans and conducts efficient and objective investigations into complex, serious and highly sensitive matters arising from allegations of employee serious misconduct, that are free from bias and able to withstand internal and external scrutiny. The Principal Investigator also leads and advises on how matters will be best dealt with and monitors progress of investigations to meet specified timelines, desired targets and public sector objectives.

The Principal Investigator formulates misconduct prevention strategies and policies and ensures ethical standards and best practice in departmental investigations into alleged serious misconduct.

The work is challenging and highly sensitive. Staff within the Incident Management Directorate (IMD) must maintain high levels of confidentiality, professionalism and ethical conduct.

Qualifications

Essential: NIL

Desirable: Qualifications or training in:

- Criminal investigations or equivalent
- Certificate IV in Government (Investigations)



or equivalent
- Law enforcement or other relevant investigative experience / background.

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.
Remuneration

ASO8 $130,046 - $134,956 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%) and leave loading

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Tim Kirtland, Manager, via tel: (08) 8226 14***or email: ************@sa.gov.au

Application instructions

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional note

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) ongoing role.

Applications close: 04/10/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments:
- Application Cover Sheet - PSAct..pdf
- How to Apply PS Act guidelines.pdf

- Signed
- 18-02-2026
- Position Description
- ASO8 Principal Investigator
- IMD.pdf

- VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

📌 Principal Investigator (Adelaide)
🏢 Department for Education
📍 Adelaide