At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
* Temporary Full-Time up to 4 years (until 30/09/2029)
* Location: Wollongong
* Salary: Clerk Grade 9/10 with salary ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 + super and annual leave loading
* A unique opportunity to be part of a supportive and collaborative team driving the future of cleaning services
Join a newly formed team leading the way in smarter, safer, and more efficient cleaning services for NSW public schools.
About Cleaning Services
The NSW Government's reforms to public sector cleaning services entail the NSW Department of Education taking over management of the state's Whole-of-Government cleaning contracts from January 1, 2026.
A team has been established to deliver an enhanced Whole-of-Government cleaning contract for alignment and delivery of all program streams. Including Governance, ITD, Recruitment and Risk Management.
About the role
This role offers the opportunity to support safe, consistent, and high‑quality cleaning services across a rural region, covering multiple sites spread over a large geographic area. As the Cleaning Services Lead, you will play a key role in coordinating inspections, monitoring compliance, and maintaining the records and reporting that underpin strong contract performance. While the work is predominantly focused on school cleaning services, you will also contribute to the oversight of other government cleaning contracts, giving you exposure to a broad service portfolio. You'll collaborate with principals, contractors, and internal teams to resolve issues and support continuous improvement, making this a rewarding role for someone who values autonomy, community impact, and the variety that comes with servicing diverse locations.
For further information please click here to view the role description
About you
You are a motivated and detail‑oriented professional who thrives in environments where accuracy, accountability, and collaboration are essential. You bring a practical understanding of contract management and a proactive approach to identifying issues, supporting inspections, and ensuring compliance across a wide geographic area. Your ability to balance day‑to‑day operational demands with longer‑term service improvement makes you a valuable contributor to high‑quality cleaning service delivery for schools and other government sites.
The ideal candidate will have:
* Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records, interpret data, and support effective reporting across multiple locations.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, enabling productive relationships with principals, school staff, contractors, and internal teams.
* Confidence in coordinating inspections, preparing assurance documentation, and contributing to performance reviews and compliance activities.
* A sound understanding of contract management, service delivery monitoring, and relevant WHS, industrial relations, and Modern Slavery obligations.
* A commitment to safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement in all aspects of contract oversight and service delivery across a rural region.
Are you ready to lead and make a difference? Apply now.
Key Knowledge and Experience
* Knowledge of contract management and compliance processes, ideally within facilities or cleaning services.
* 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.
Essential requirements of the role
* Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent workplace experience in contract management, facilities management, or a related field.
* Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment.
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
Benefits
* Flexible working arrangements
* 35 hour working week
* Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
* Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
* Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth
How to apply
Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.
Targeted Questions
1. Describe a time when you identified a process or system improvement that enhanced service delivery or operational efficiency. (300 words)
2. Outline your experience managing service contracts, including monitoring compliance, tracking performance, and resolving operational issues. (300 words)
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 National Criminal History Check.
This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). 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: Monday, 16 February 2026 at 11:59pm.
For role enquiries please contact Jamie Cave via email on
For recruitment related enquiries contact
For technical issues contact
We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ( or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.
A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment 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.