ERO’s appointment process is in four stages.
This is based on your application, your covering letter and your CV.
This is a behavioral interview lasting about one hour. The interview questions relate to the Review Officer competencies and ask for examples from your experience to demonstrate your ability in such areas as project management, data management, communication and relationship management.
Following the interview, preferred candidates will go through two further stages.
This is carried out for ERO by an external contractor and comprises three formal tests. It takes about 105 minutes and feedback is given later to the applicant by the contractor.
At least two referees from the three provided by you are contacted, one of whom will be your last employer.
Review Officers spend most of their time carrying out Education Reviews in schools and early childhood centres. About half the time allocated to a review is spent at the school or centre. The rest of the time is spent preparing for the review and compiling the public report on the review findings. Review Officers may also be involved in other ERO activities such as special projects and reference groups.
Yes. All Review Officers are required to travel and have overnight stays away from their home base. The number of nights away from home varies from office to office. All costs associated with this travel including accommodation and transport, are paid for by ERO.
In recognition of and to compensate for the time away from home Review Officers currently earn special leave at the rate of one day for each period of 10 nights away up to 60 nights away. At that point the special leave accrues at 1 day every 5 nights.
The training programme for Review Officers is comprehensive and ongoing. Typically it is likely to include an initial induction programme in the local office becoming familiar with the theory and procedures of Education Reviews and the requirements of the role, as a reviewer and as a public servant. New staff also attend a two day National Induction Course.
You will then have a period when you are attached to a review team as an observer. Gradually as you develop in confidence you are given work as part of a team. Where possible, it is usual for Review Officers to work first in institutions in the education sector where they have the greatest experience.
A typical review week includes travel to and from the school or early childhood centre being reviewed and between one and four days at the centre or school carrying out the review. This is followed by time in the office as the team synthesises the evidence and compiles the report. This routine varies depending on the type of institution being reviewed.
No. All work is carried out by a team of Review Officers. Teams vary in size from two Review Officers for early childhood and small schools to four or more for larger primary and secondary schools. Teams may be in larger schools for more than a week.
Yes, probably, but normally over time and as experience is gained in other sectors. As previously mentioned most Review Officers start out reviewing in the sector where they have most experience - early childhood, primary or secondary. In time all Review Officers are expected to play some role in reviews across all sectors.
If you are appointed to Te Uepū ā-Motu, ERO’s national team that reviews Ngā Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori, you will join other Review Officers fluent in Te Reo Māori in reviewing Māori immersion schools and centres.
If you join Moana Pasefika, the Pacific unit based in Auckland, you will review in Pacific early childhood centres and schools with high numbers of Pacific students as well as other mainstream centres and schools.
Yes. ERO has a strong tradition in supporting and encouraging staff to further their education in areas relevant to their role in ERO.ERO has arranged with Massey University for staff to undertake a Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Sector Evaluation Research (PGDipSSER) and gives full support to up to 10 staff a year through this two-year course as a priority. Support is extended to other qualifications as resources permit.
Because the first year as a Review Officer can be challenging in terms of coming to grips with the role we encourage staff to keep study to a minimum in that early period.
The starting salary for Review Officers is $78,000. Review Officers progress by incremental steps through a structured salary scale up to $87,000. Salary movement beyond $87,000 to a maximum of $92,500 is based on performance. A performance review is carried out at least annually.
The Education Review Office supports membership of staff who are existing members of the State Services Retirement Savings Scheme, Individual Retirement Plan and the Government Superannuation Fund. As required by legislation all new employee will be enrolled in KiwiSaver.
The leave provisions for permanent full time staff are: