Finance Officer

About the Department The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services. The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres. About the Victorian School Building Authority The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s. The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants. With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program. About the Division The Corporate Division provides corporate support to all VSBA teams and fulfills an important assurance and oversight role. They guide VSBA to achieve strategic objectives and ensure decision-making is transparent and accountable. About the Role This position is Fixed-term - Part Time 0.5FTE until 30/06/2027 The Finance Officer provides high quality finance and administrative support to the Budget and Finance team within VSBA. The key responsibilities of the Finance Officer include: * processing payments to suppliers and schools in a timely manner using the Oracle system and multiple modules in VSBA project systems * checking payment documentation to comply with financial policy and legislation * checking financial delegations and obtaining approvals from financial delegates * performing financial queries and checks using the Oracle system and multiple modules in VSBA project systems * working with VSBA project officers and other parts of the department to address payment or financial process queries * facilitating the lodgement and return of bank guarantees for construction contracts * attending to payment issues arising from internal and external stakeholders * working with finance business partners to verify budget information for payments * assisting with month end close process including preparation of accrual reports * assisting with financial reporting – ensuring data integrity in monthly reporting, journal entry, data analysis and reconciliation, variance analysis * providing information and records as required for the department's annual financial audit * ensuring that financial activities are compliant with the Department's policies, procedures and legislative requirements * maintaining proper records in financial and information management systems * building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team. Attributes The ideal candidate will have the following skills, capabilities and qualities: Planning and Organisation * ability to plan ahead, prioritise tasks and manage progress in proactive manner * ability to deal with high volume of transactions, tight timeframes and various stakeholders * ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve common goals Problem Solving * ability to identify issues, analyse them from different perspectives based on evidence and provide recommendations to resolve them * ability with work collaboratively with stakeholders to find effective solutions Service Excellence * ability to deliver timely and high-quality support services in a complex and challenging environment * strive for innovation and continuous improvement opportunities to improve outcomes, systems and processes * commitment to take responsibility and be accountable for actions, outputs and behaviours. Customer Focus * understanding of customers' needs and strive to deliver high quality outcomes for them * proactive in seeking feedback and improving delivery of services Detail Focus * strong attention to detail to ensure timely and accurate processing of payments * ability to identify gaps in information, analyse data and ensure compliance with the Department's policies, procedures and legislative requirements Qualifications and Experience Essential: A degree in Accounting/Finance is preferred, with applicants currently undertaking their studies also encouraged to apply. Desirable: Demonstrated experience in using Oracle and Excel. Demonstrated experience in processing payments in a construction-related setting Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Kimberly Dang on Kimberly.Dang@education.vic.gov.au Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 2nd October 2026