Critical Incident Liaison Officer

Full time, fixed term until 11th May 2027
Opportunity to play a critical, frontline role supporting students during high-risk and traumatic incidents
Base Salary $112,628 - $122,702 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

As the Critical Incident Liaison Officer, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating and managing the University’s response to critical incidents involving students. Reporting to the Incident Manager within Student Wellbeing, you will act as a central coordination point, providing expert case management, triage, and referral to ensure timely, compassionate, and appropriate support.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders and external providers to manage complex and high-risk situations, contributing to a safe, supportive, and responsive student environment. Under direction of the Head of Student Wellbeing, Incident Manager, and/or PVC Student Life, the role is responsible for supporting students impacted by critical incidents.

Critical incidents include traumatic events, or the threat of a traumatic event (within or outside Australia) that causes extreme stress, fear, or injury to one or more students. Critical incidents include, but are not limited to:
• Missing students
• Severe verbal or physical aggression
• Critical mental health episodes
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Gender-based violence
• Physical, sexual, or other abuse or assault
• Death, serious injury or any threat of these
• Accidents
• Fire or natural disaster

Your key responsibilities will be to:

act as the central contact and coordination point for critical incidents involving students
provide direct case management for students impacted by traumatic or high-risk incidents
assess crisis support needs and triage students to appropriate internal and external services
collaborate with internal stakeholders and external agencies to manage incident responses
provide wellbeing guidance and support related to sexual misconduct and domestic or family violence
support the Incident Manager in liaising with senior leaders, faculties, and portfolios
contribute specialist knowledge to wellbeing campaigns, initiatives, and awareness programs
support the development and implementation of action plans, procedures, and triage guidelines
ensure accurate data collection, reporting, and identification of emerging risks.

About you

demonstrated experience in critical incident management, ideally within a higher education or similar complex organisation
strong case management capability, including support for complex mental health and wellbeing needs
well-developed judgement and problem-solving skills in high-pressure and sensitive situations
excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage distressed individuals with tact and discretion
proven ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
understanding of regulatory environments, reporting requirements, and relevant legislation
tertiary qualifications in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of training and experience
current Working With Children Check or willingness to obtain one prior to commencement.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Kale Claffey Recruitment Operations by email to kale.claffey@sydney.edu.au

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Sunday 28 June 2026 11:59 PM