Chris Gurnett
Hamilton,Australia
Summary
Extensive experience in operational management and leadership with proven skills in ensuring that a high focus on staff unity and teamwork ensures a consistent, reliable and effective delivery of service. Meticulous, well-organized and decisive person skilled at cultivating, collaborating and enhancing productive relationships with staff, management and key stakeholders. Ready to bring an enthusiastic and proactive approach to an exciting and challenging role with aspirations for long-term career advancement and success.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Residential Manager - Detention Operations
Serco Justice and Immigration
02.2024 - Current
- Oversight and management of immigration detention centre operations within the Brisbane Immigration Detention Centre - BIDC.
- Developed strong relationships and provided trust, reliability and consistency of contractual obligations and requirements for Serco Justice and Immigration and with key stakeholders being Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs.
- Effective collaboration and engagement with departmental managers to ensure effective, consistent and reliable service delivery and compliance.
- Coordination of staff development, staff training and performance management, roster scheduling, oversight and management of staff and detainee welfare, support and effective dispute resolution.
- Highly developed verbal engagement, effective and approachable communication and excellent written reporting skills.
Facility Operations Manager
Serco Immigration Services
10.2015 - 02.2024
- Company Overview: Serco Justice and Immigration Services is contracted to Australian Border Force and the Department of Home Affairs to provide security, welfare and engagement, and transport and escort services for detainees held within immigration detention facilities within Australia
- I was previously employed as a Facility Operations Manager at the Brisbane Immigration Detention Centre - BIDC conducting and overseeing centre operations for detainees within the centre
- My knowledge of these services is extensive and my understanding and knowledge of a variety of different ethnic cultures and religious affiliations and faiths has allowed me to identify and relate to diverse ethnic views, cultural expectations and followings
- I have a thorough and extensive knowledge of identifying behavioural patterns related to cultural and religious backgrounds and a strong ability to mitigate and prevent adverse behaviours through security and risk management procedures
- Developing consistent, reliable and dependable service delivery and contractual compliance with key stakeholders has been an integral requirement to uphold trust, commitment and company reputation.
Facility Operations Manager
Serco Immigration Services
01.2014 - 10.2015
- As Facility Operations Manager in the Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre, the role in which I managed oversaw the daily operations of up to 1000 detainees in the immigration detention facility
- Management of detainee welfare and care, the oversight of security operations within the detention centre, the management, oversight and compliance of centre contingency structures and planning, liaising with key immigration stakeholders, guests and external government and private welfare organisations, company policy and contractual changes and the management and welfare of a staffing roster of approximately 70 individual staff members are all areas of the daily Operational role
- Due to the changing Immigration Policies structured by the Australian Federal Government, the ability to manage and adapt the changes of the Operational role and roles of the staff members, was integral to ensure and maintain a secure, safe and compliant structure of Operational Management within the detention centres
- Being a member of the Senior Management Team also greatly improved my understanding of key Operational and Contractual requirements from a Senior Management level
- Liaising with Senior Management personnel from other Immigration Detention Stakeholders, enhanced my skills in the required contractual obligations and at times negotiation of required implementations, structures and strategies due to the altered environment and policies instigated by the Australian Federal Government and Border Protection Services
- Detainee Welfare Management is a key area of my Operational role in managing and overseeing detainee welfare and managing long term detention and mental health issues
- Careful management and consideration to individual cases, liaising with medical personnel, implementation of Behavioural Management and Individual Care Plans and ensuring Staff Welfare are all key components my role oversees and a role that I perform passionately and exceptionally well
- Monthly contingency reporting, contractual reporting obligations and general maintenance and correct operation of Security and CCTV operations are all key areas of my role
Client Service Manager
Serco Immigration Services
08.2012 - 09.2013
- My role as Client Service Manager involves the management, welfare and oversight of daily operations of a large number of Detainees in 2 separate APOD (Alternative Place of Detention) facilities on Christmas Island, and also management of approximately 30 - 40 staff in all departments or areas of operations
- My role also includes the interaction and liaising with other related stakeholder personnel involved in Detention Operations
- Oversight of strict compliance and contractual obligations is also another area that is part of this role in daily operations
- The role of a Client Service Manager is also to oversee and to ensure the welfare and safety of all detainees and personnel within the centres ensuring that Security Operations and Welfare needs are strictly monitored, and relevant and necessary procedures are followed
- Cultural and Religious expectations and requirements of detainees in our care is another area of paramount importance that is adhered to, to ensure respect, dignity, safety and uniformity for detainees in our care, to ensure correct, compliant and professional operations are performed and followed
- The Welfare, Safety and Management of multiple staff members is closely monitored to ensure their wellbeing and productivity is maintained
Proprietor - Mobile Food Vendor
Self Employed
01.2012 - 07.2012
- Company Overview: Mobicuisine was a mobile food / catering operation that I owned and managed servicing businesses and workplaces, supplying them with catering and food services
- This business involved daily operations of customer service, food preparation, stock control and ordering, financial and cash management of a small business operation
- The termination of this business operation was due to personal reasons
- Mobicuisine was a mobile food / catering operation that I owned and managed servicing businesses and workplaces, supplying them with catering and food services
Proprietor - Wall & Floor Tiler
Self Employed
04.1992 - 12.2011
- I was passionately involved in the Building and Construction Industry as a Wall & Floor tiler for a period of nearly 20 years
- This role of occupation saw myself as a self employed business operator for 16 of those years
- My primary roles included the facilitation and completion of numerous projects during this period in all aspects of my trade in domestic, commercial and industrial fields
- I was privileged to be involved in some unique projects and fortunate to have been the recipient of numerous awards on a number of projects
- The termination of this business operation was due to industry challenges and personal reasons
Trainee Customer Service Operator
Sheraton Brisbane Hotel
01.1990 - 02.1991
- I was employed by the Sheraton Hotel Group as a trainee Custom Service / Front Desk Operator
- This role entailed learning the role of Hotel Check in / Check out, Concierge, Portering and Valet Services
- I also was trained in areas of Food and Beverage, Catering and Functions, Housekeeping and reception and reservation duties
- The reason for termination of this role was to pursue further education and pre trade vocational training
Education
Certificate 2 - Security Operations
Serco Immigration Services
09.2012
Skills
- Operations Management
- Technical knowledge
- Staff Management
- Security management
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Hardworking, punctual and career driven
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Contractual compliance and service delivery
- Customer service-focused
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Reliability, trust and consistency
- Time Management and attention to detail
Accomplishments
- I have managed an overall team of 300+ staff to ensure that productive and efficient service delivery and operational requirements were completed consistently to a high standard and within mandatory and contractual timeframes.
- Developed strong and reliable working relationships with internal and external working groups to achieve a consistent and harmonious operation and delivery of service.
- Dual Global Award Winner for customer service relating to centre operations and detainee welfare.
Certification
- First Aid Certification
- First Response Negotiator
- Emergency Command Centre - Incident Controller
- Security and Risk Management
- Security Operations
Travel
I have a strong desire to travel internationally. I have travelled extensively within Australia and have been fortunate to have explored every state of Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos Island north west of Australia.
Timeline
Residential Manager - Detention Operations
Serco Justice and Immigration
02.2024 - Current
Facility Operations Manager
Serco Immigration Services
10.2015 - 02.2024
Facility Operations Manager
Serco Immigration Services
01.2014 - 10.2015
Client Service Manager
Serco Immigration Services
08.2012 - 09.2013
Proprietor - Mobile Food Vendor
Self Employed
01.2012 - 07.2012
Proprietor - Wall & Floor Tiler
Self Employed
04.1992 - 12.2011
Trainee Customer Service Operator
Sheraton Brisbane Hotel
01.1990 - 02.1991
- First Aid Certification
- First Response Negotiator
- Emergency Command Centre - Incident Controller
- Security and Risk Management
- Security Operations
Certificate 2 - Security Operations
Serco Immigration Services
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