Assistant Project Officer

Guiding the future of NSW education

Position details

• Clerk Grade 5/6

• Full-time, Ongoing

• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available (50%25 in office per fortnight)

During the NAPLAN Test Period (month of March), the successful applicant is required to attend the office 5 days a week.

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), we are dedicated to carrying out meaningful work that drives improvements and elevates student achievement across NSW, now and into the future.

We accomplish this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards)

NESA is a unique organisation in NSW (of around 740FTE staff) with significant state-wide impact, visit our website to learn more about the important work we do.

About the role

The Assistant Project Officer sits within the Assessment Services directorate which is primarily responsible for designing, managing, and delivering the high-stake assessment programs for NSW students.

 Working within the NAPLAN team, the Assistant Project Officer undertakes a range of project research, analysis, reporting, implementation and administrative activities to support the development and delivery of projects, in line with established project plans and objectives.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Providing project management and operational support.

• Maintaining and updating project documentation and records.
• Conducting basic research and analysis in assigned project areas and contribute to the preparation of project briefs to support informed decision making and planning.
• Providing operational and administrative support for the NAPLAN Helpdesk, including staff onboarding and offboarding, maintaining records, and assisting the Project Officer to coordinate Helpdesk activities.

• Managing shared inboxes by triaging, allocating, and responding to enquiries in a timely manner

   

• Responding to high volume, call-center style enquiries, providing clear and efficient support to schools
• Working across multiple systems simultaneously to manage competing tasks efficiently
• Onboarding approximately 30 casual Helpdesk staff. The successful applicant will deliver training and assist with the bulk hiring of these casuals to ensure they have a smooth and quick transition into their roles.
• Developing, preparing, and delivering training and communications for a range of stakeholders, including schools and Helpdesk staff.

To be successful, you will need:

• Flexibility to be available for the phone rostering system which can start at 8am or finish at 5pm. During NAPLAN testing period (the month of March) some days will require a 7:45am start time.
• Previous experience delivering multiple project support activities given tight deadlines and competing demands and priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in a high volume, call-Centre or helpdesk environment
• Demonstrated experience training and communicating with large groups of people Self-motivation to follow up with pending requests and proactive in completing tasks in restricted timeframes.
• In exceptional circumstances you may be required to work outside of normal business hours and at other Sydney locations during peak periods.
• A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment.

We invite you to download the role description for additional information on the position.

Note:

A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment is required before commencing in this role. It is not required at the application stage. The cost of the WWCC clearance is the responsibility of the successful applicant. 

At NESA you will benefit from:

• An organisation where your contribution has a big impact.

• An enviable CBD location (all modes of transport nearby, and excellent coffee and eateries) with refurbished offices.

• Flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements.

• Access to discounted health and fitness memberships via Fitness Passport, an employee assistance program and annual flu vaccinations.

• Salary packaging options.

• Working in a purpose driven and ethical organisation with committed colleagues.

Ready to join us?

 Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application (maximum of 400 words per response - approximately):

 Targeted Question 1: Describe a time when you had to manage multiple tasks or projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritise your work? What was the result?

Targeted Question 2: Describe a time when you worked in a busy or high-pressure environment providing operational or administrative support. How did you respond to stakeholder needs? What challenges did you face and how did you handle them?

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to recruitment@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Close date: 3 May 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

NESA’s Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

All children and young people have the right to be respected, feel safe, be safe, and protected from harm. NESA is committed to child safety and child safe practices underpinning our purpose of helping children and young people leave school, ready to take advantage of life’s opportunities and rise to its inevitable challenges.  

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.