Brett K Burns
Facilities Manager
Marshall,Australia
Summary
Facilities Manager with proven expertise in optimizing operations across diverse environments, including state prisons and educational institutions. Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills have led to successful implementation of maintenance programs and significant cost reductions. Achievements include enhancing overall facility efficiency and maintaining high operational standards.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Mechanical Supervisor
KAEFER
Geelong,
Led team of mechanical fitters, trades assistants, and riggers to achieve largest turnaround in Viva's history on time and within budget.
Scheduled workforce for optimal employee utilization.
Maintained accurate records of maintenance activities, including work orders and reports.
Prepared maintenance schedules, assigned tasks, and reviewed team performance.
Supervised mechanical assembly operations to ensure adherence to safety standards.
Coordinated maintenance schedules to enhance equipment efficiency and reliability.
06.2025 - Current
- Led team of mechanical fitters, trades assistants, and riggers to achieve largest turnaround in Viva's history on time and within budget.
- Scheduled workforce for optimal employee utilization.
- Maintained accurate records of maintenance activities, including work orders and reports.
- Prepared maintenance schedules, assigned tasks, and reviewed team performance.
- Supervised mechanical assembly operations to ensure adherence to safety standards.
- Coordinated maintenance schedules to enhance equipment efficiency and reliability.
Facility Manager
Private College
01.2023 - 06.2025
- Led contractor management for hard and soft services across two campuses.
- Managed Facilities team, bus coordinator, builders, grounds personnel, and cleaners.
- Developed and managed CAPEX and OPEX budgets to ensure financial efficiency.
- Achieved compliance with Essential Safety Measures (ESM) for the first time in college history.
- Saved $200,000 annually by transitioning cleaning operations in-house.
- Delivered over $1 million in savings during AFL oval development.
- Implemented lifecycle replacement plan and preventative maintenance schedule to optimize operations.
- Introduced Take Five safety application and morning job starts to enhance safety protocols.
Acting General Manager Facility and Assets
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Directed operational strategies for community safety programs.
- Managed facilities managers and supervisors to optimize performance.
- Oversaw budget allocations for departmental initiatives and projects.
- Facilitated staff training sessions on compliance and regulations.
- Conducted monthly reports to general manager of state infrastructure team.
- Promoted change management initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Led monthly meetings with tier 1 builder for new prison (western plains).
- Interviewed and hired new staff for facilities team as needed.
Facility and Assets Manager
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Directed contractor management for hard and soft services across three prison facilities.
- Supervised Facilities team, including electricians, builders, plumbers, groundskeepers, and cleaners.
- Collaborated with leadership teams from all prison facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with essential safety measures and maintained security systems.
- Managed Capex projects worth 80 million dollars, coordinating with builders and contractors.
- Conducted contractor inductions and security checks to uphold safety standards.
- Implemented emergency management protocols and lifecycle management practices.
- Oversaw fleet management for all government vehicles and equipment in the precinct.
Facility and Assets Supervisor
Department of Justice and Community Safety
Supervised daily operations of 15 employees, ensuring compliance with justice and safety regulations.
Evaluated workflows to identify process improvement opportunities and enhance efficiency.
Managed staff scheduling to guarantee adequate coverage and resource allocation.
Implemented policies that upheld safety standards within the workplace environment.
Conducted regular performance assessments and delivered constructive feedback to team members.
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Supervised daily operations of 15 employees, ensuring compliance with justice and safety regulations.
- Evaluated workflows to identify process improvement opportunities and enhance efficiency.
- Managed staff scheduling to guarantee adequate coverage and resource allocation.
- Implemented policies that upheld safety standards within the workplace environment.
- Conducted regular performance assessments and delivered constructive feedback to team members.
Supervisor HM Prison Barwon
Department of Justice and Community Safety
Supervised staff to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
Coordinated training programs for new employees and ongoing staff development.
Maintained records of incidents and resolutions for reporting purposes.
Led team meetings to discuss objectives, challenges, and best practices in operations.
Provided guidance and direction to subordinates regarding job duties and responsibilities.
Acted as a liaison between upper management and staff, facilitating open communication.
Managed budget for department, ensuring all expenses stayed within allocated funds.
Implemented new operational procedures, increasing efficiency.
Developed and maintained a safe working environment, adhering to all safety protocols and regulations.
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Supervised staff to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
- Coordinated training programs for new employees and ongoing staff development.
- Maintained records of incidents and resolutions for reporting purposes.
- Led team meetings to discuss objectives, challenges, and best practices in operations.
- Provided guidance and direction to subordinates regarding job duties and responsibilities.
- Acted as a liaison between upper management and staff, facilitating open communication.
- Managed budget for department, ensuring all expenses stayed within allocated funds.
- Implemented new operational procedures, increasing efficiency.
- Developed and maintained a safe working environment, adhering to all safety protocols and regulations.
Employee
Corrections Victoria
VIC, VIC
01.2008 - 12.2018
- Developed training programs in project management and facility management.
- Facilitated workshops on managing difficult situations and respect in workplace.
- Conducted sessions on sexual harassment awareness and emergency response preparedness.
- Issued permits while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Completed Supervisor Intensive Program, enhancing leadership skills and team management.
- Achieved Cert IV and Cert III in Correctional Practices, demonstrating commitment to professional development.
- Obtained certifications in fire awareness, first aid Level 2, and OH&S/HSR standards.
- Acquired technical skills through diplomas in mechanical engineering, fitting and turning, PLC, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
Emergency Response Group Coordinator
HM Prison Barwon
01.2012 - 12.2017
- Trained and managed 40 emergency response staff members in tactical options, baton use, OC spray, riot training, fire response, and firearms handling.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure secure environments for staff and inmates.
- Facilitated conflict resolution among staff and inmates to promote harmony.
- Coordinated communication among team members to guarantee timely task completion.
- Responded promptly to all prison incidents, ensuring swift action.
Supervisor
BHP Roxby Downs
, Australia
01.2007 - 12.2007
- Oversaw operations within mining sector, managing turnaround and shutdown activities at acid plant in South Australia.
- Supervised daily activities to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
- Led a team of 20 tradesmen, achieving high productivity and quality standards.
- Established and maintained a safe working environment, adhering to all applicable safety protocols.
Business Owner
VISY
, Australia
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Owned and managed my own business of construction of VISY recycling plants around Victoria and maintained plant and equipment for these locations, I had several people working for me, and gained experience in budget allocation, positive returns and delivering the required training to staff.
Fitter and Turner
John Holland and Snowy Hydro
, Australia
01.2005 - 12.2005
- I worked as a fitter and turner in a small group of specialists on the construction and commissioning of the six gas-fired turbines.
- Operated tools and machinery to complete fitting tasks efficiently.
- Followed detailed schematics to ensure precise fitting of all components.
- Provided technical support to colleagues when required.
- Assembled and installed a variety of mechanical components, including pumps, motors, fans, valves and compressors.
Fitter and Turner
Danum Engineering
01.2001 - 12.2005
- Executed fitting and turning operations at Shell (ViVa) refinery for subcontractor.
Supervised team during construction of new water treatment plant, ensuring project milestones were met.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline production processes at refinery.
Conducted quality control inspections to maintain compliance with industry standards. - Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and project timelines.
- Followed detailed schematics to ensure precise fitting of all components.
Maintenance Fitter and Turner
Godfrey Hirst
01.1990 - 12.2001
- Supervised a maintenance division that had multiple staffing levels underneath me from all different trade backgrounds across multiple sites.
- Repaired and replaced defective components using hand and power tools.
- Collaborated with production teams to troubleshoot mechanical issues promptly.
- Trained junior staff on safety procedures and proper equipment handling.
- Assisted other technicians in more complex repairs when required.
- Conducted preventative maintenance checks on a regular basis to ensure smooth operation of machines.
- Followed safety regulations while performing maintenance activities onsite or in the workshop environment.
Education
Fitter And Turner (apprenticed) -
cert 3
01-1994
Cert IV -
Correctional practices
Cert III -
Correctional practices
Mechanical engineering -
Diploma
Hydraulics -
cert3
Skills
- OH&S management
- Construction methodology
- Schedule planning
- Contractor management
- Quality assurance and control
- Activity coordination
- Safety compliance
- Engineering construction experience
- Government administration
- Emergency response management
- Time management
- Project oversight
- Fleet operations
- Procurement strategies
- Stakeholder engagement
- Health, safety, and environment (HSE)
- Budgeting and cost control
- Preventive maintenance planning
- Performance development
- Commissioning processes
- Equipment maintenance and repair
- Mechanical assembly skills
- Leadership capabilities
References
Upon request
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 10/21/69
Affiliations
- Scuba diving
- Rescue diver
- Reef restoration and engineering (Gili Islands)
- National Service Medal
- 10-year state service medal
Timeline
Senior Mechanical Supervisor
KAEFER
06.2025 - Current
Facility Manager
Private College
01.2023 - 06.2025
Acting General Manager Facility and Assets
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2020 - 12.2020
Facility and Assets Manager
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2019 - 01.2020
Facility and Assets Supervisor
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2018 - 12.2018
Supervisor HM Prison Barwon
Department of Justice and Community Safety
01.2018 - 12.2018
Emergency Response Group Coordinator
HM Prison Barwon
01.2012 - 12.2017
Employee
Corrections Victoria
01.2008 - 12.2018
Supervisor
BHP Roxby Downs
01.2007 - 12.2007
Business Owner
VISY
01.2006 - 12.2006
Fitter and Turner
John Holland and Snowy Hydro
01.2005 - 12.2005
Fitter and Turner
Danum Engineering
01.2001 - 12.2005
Maintenance Fitter and Turner
Godfrey Hirst
01.1990 - 12.2001
Fitter And Turner (apprenticed) -
cert 3
Cert IV -
Correctional practices
Cert III -
Correctional practices
Mechanical engineering -
Diploma
Hydraulics -
cert3