This is a full-time continuing position with salary in the range $82,133 - $91,295 (HEW 5), plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%.
Empower senior secondary students from under represented and low socio-economic backgrounds through the Young Achievers Program, offering mentorship, financial support, and critical pathways to tertiary education.
Join a passionate team dedicated to student success, providing the tools and opportunities necessary to achieve academic and career goals.
Based at our St Lucia campus (this role involves travel with overnight stays to rural locations).
We are seeking a proactive Program Officer to provide crucial administrative, logistical, and event planning support for the Young Achievers Program. This role is vital for coordinating communication and engagement with schools, students, and parents/guardians, ensuring the successful delivery of this key initiative within the broader Widening Participation team.
Key responsibilities will include:
Program and Event Delivery Support
Provide critical administrative and logistical assistance for the Young Achievers Program, including the organisation and effective delivery of on and off campus events.
Mentor/Ambassador Program Administration
Manage the administrative aspects of the ambassador/mentor program, specifically assisting with the selection, training, and rostering of mentors to provide effective guidance to secondary school students regarding higher education pathways.
Creative Communication and Engagement
Collaborate with the widening participation team to develop and implement creative communication strategies (web-based and print) to encourage student engagement. You will also create resources to support student transition to higher education.
Administrative and Data Management
Manage diverse administrative tasks for the team, including data entry, database maintenance, and resource management. You will utilise university systems to analyse student survey data to inform future planning and assist with budget management and supplier payments.
Please note this role requires a high degree of flexibility, including mandatory participation in two back-to-back weeks of residential camps in January annually. You must also have the capacity for overnight travel to rural locations/schools and occasional weekend work (e.g., Open Day, Welcome Events, etc).
Degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education, with a background in student services, support, or similar student-facing roles.
Excellent communication skills and the proven ability to adjust your style when engaging with various stakeholders. You also possess an understanding of the systematic barriers faced by students from underrepresented groups, including low socio-economic and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Possess high-level administrative and organisational skills, demonstrating an ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail. Demonstrated event planning experience is also required.
High level of computer literacy, with knowledge of Microsoft and Adobe suites. You must also have the ability to rapidly gain competency in specialised programs such as Vision6, Canva, InDesign, and Drupal.
Possession of a valid open driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Hold and maintain a valid Queensland Government Blue Card.
Hold and maintain a valid First aid and CPR certification.
You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment, and may be required to complete background checks including, criminal history and education checks. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.
As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.
Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.
Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:
26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave, 17% superannuation contributions, 17.5% annual leave loading.
Access to flexible working arrangements.
Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family.
Cheap parking, On campus childcare and Salary packaging options.
All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Cover letter addressing the ‘About You’ section
Resume
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Emma at e.vowles@uq.edu.au. For application queries, please contact talent@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.
Applications close 23 January 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (Job Reference Number - R-58911). Please note interviews are tentatively scheduled on 5 February 2026
UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.
We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to talent@uq.edu.au for accessibility support or adjustments.
If you are a current employee (including casual staff and HDR scholars) or hold an unpaid/affiliate appointment, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board.