I am a highly accomplished Public Administrator with a unique professional history working across several government and non-government agencies, in natural resource management, rangelands management, environmental regulation and Aboriginal advancement and currently Aboriginal land Rights. I have built and maintained effective relationships within the Department and with other state and commonwealth departments, non-government agencies, key peak organisations, and a number of stakeholders in all of my roles. I have demonstrated an expert ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes in all my positions. I have a Masters in Public Administration (MPA)
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager ORALRA
Port
11.2021 - Current
In my current role as Senior Manager ORALRA, my responsibility is to provide high-level executive, secretariat, and project support services to the Registrar including providing strategic advice and implementing strategies to support achievements of the office's strategic and operational objectives
Provide day to day operations to the Office of the Registrar, including administration and some human resource and financial functions to ensure efficient delivery of services
In this role I am responsible for ;
Manage day-to-day operating functions, administration, and finances of the Office of the Registrar to ensure the Office complies with its statutory requirements
Manage and maintain the Register of Aboriginal Land Claims and Register of Aboriginal Land Agreements in accordance with ALRA
Support NSW Audit Office’s performance audit in relation to Aboriginal Land Claim processes
Manage and maintain consolidated membership roll and provide support to Local Aboriginal Land Councils in relation to matters relating to Aboriginal Land Claims and membership
Lead the upgrade of the Aboriginal Land Claim Register
Work closely and in co-ordination with the Office of the Registrar’s Compliance Team to provide advice and assistance to LALCs on the interpretation and application of the ALRA and ALRR
Staff Managed – 7+
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
Unit Head, EPA
01.2020
EO12) 6 months of postings over, and 2021
I was provided the opportunity on 4 occasions to act in higher positions directly managing teams within regulatory operations branch of the EPA
I was responsible for managing a Unit providing day to day frontline integrated service delivery using regulatory, advisory and other tools to protect the environment
Develop and maintain strategic projects, proactive programs and improve compliance with contemporary environmental standards
Manage the involvement of staff in assessing breaches of legislation, license conditions, and other reports of pollution or environmental harm and determine the most appropriate regulatory response to breaches in accordance with the EPA compliance policy
Undertake issues management for significant or controversial issues within the geographical or functional area
Manage implementation, including review and approval, or recommendations of planning applications and develop and maintain ongoing licensing requirements
Consult and liaise on a regular basis with management and staff within Region/Branch to seek expert advice to assist in the regulatory work and other EPA and specialist Branches to discuss the implementation of strategies, audits and campaigns
Oversee drafting, issuing, reviewing and varying of licenses issued by the Region and associated instruments, such as pollution reduction programs
Staff managed – 5
Senior Operations Officer
Environmental Protection Authority, EPA
01.2019 - 01.2021
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is the state’s primary environmental regulator
We work to protect our community and the environment as a leader, partner and protector
Our vision is for New South Wales to have a healthy environment, healthy community and healthy business
We believe healthy ecosystems are the foundation for healthy communities, a healthy economy and for enhancing liveability
In my role as the Senior Operations Officer I am responsible to perform diverse activities relating to the application of EPA legislative responsibilities involving major issues affecting EPA or broader issues for EPA to regulate the environmental aspects of native forestry on public and private land in NSW; undertakes major projects involving technically complex tasks and provides direction and expert advice to team members
I contribute to the development, review and implementation of relevant aspects of the Branch’s, Section’s and Region’s Work Plan, contribute to internal and external reporting, and manage salient industries/issues as a senior team member responsible for day-to-day protection of the environment
Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of standards and guidelines in protecting human health and the environment, identify and recommend appropriate, solutions that address poor environmental performance of industry, the public sector, landholders and general community to deliver appropriate levels of environment protection
Identify, recommend and implement relevant actions to address poor environmental performance of industry, the public sector, landholders and the general community to ensure the environment and human health is protected
I contribute to full delivery of EPA statutory activities such as licensing and approvals and a diverse range of environment protection activities and approaches, including response to environmental incidents and emergency situations, including after-hours response, and handling day-to-day complaints
I lead and undertake investigations and recommend future actions including potential prosecution or other regulatory or non-regulatory actions to deliver effective compliance with EPA’s legislative responsibilities and appear in court as an EPA witness when required
Assess and review Environmental Assessments which are significant, complex or contentious for local government areas, major projects, sites and premises in relation to relevant environment requirements and ensure appropriate regulatory functions are in place
Provide advice to senior officers both internally and externally and maintain a network with industry, the public sector, landholders, the community and other groups on the EPA’s regulatory framework and regional planning and development issues with the EPA’s regulatory responsibility; advise and negotiate on environmental improvement programs and initiatives and the application of regulatory tools such as economic mechanisms and compliance audit requirements
I lead and participate in regional teams to consider, develop, implement, monitor and review of specific policies and strategies and provide direction and expert advice to team members.
Manager Commercial
Culture
01.2018 - 01.2019
Development – SAO1
The Parks and Wildlife Division, part of the Department of Tourism and Culture, is the Northern Territories peak body whose charter is to monitor, protect and preserve a comprehensive and representative system of parks, reserves and marine areas for people, biodiversity and economic growth
In my role as the Manager Commercial Development I was responsible for the ongoing review and analysis of the economic viability of the Territory Wildlife Parks’ and Botanic Gardens existing commercial arrangements including identifying, reviewing and examining common issues and opportunities for the Parks
I worked cooperatively with Park Directors to develop and implement initiatives, strategies and programs to increase brand awareness, visitor attendance and spend at the Parks
I was responsibility to oversee the negotiation and development of (and on occasion conduct negotiations) funding agreements, contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure an excellent return on investment for the Parks
Ensure that procurement processes are compliant with relevant government policy and procedures
Undertake regular and periodic audits, reviews and assessments
In collaboration with the Park Directors and the Department of Tourism and Culture’s media and marketing unit develop Park specific promotion and marketing masterplans to identify suitable advertising campaigns, manage the production and placement of promotional collateral and track the success of various advertising campaigns
I provided proactive and evidence-based advice to Senior Management and the Executive Director
Actively participate in and contribute to work unit, division and agency
Assistant Director
Department, Tourism and Culture
01.2016 - 01.2018
Business Services – SAO1
The Parks and Wildlife Division, part of the Department of Tourism and Culture, is the Northern Territories peak body whose charter is to monitor, protect and preserve a comprehensive and representative system of parks, reserves and marine areas for people, biodiversity and economic growth
In my role as the Assistant Director Business Services I am responsible for managing the branch with the Director, which supports the Commission’s executive leadership team and senior managers in relation to governance, including audit and risk management, facilitating the delivery of the Commission’s Indigenous Employment Strategy, Strategic Workforce Plan and the Work Health and Safety management system
Specifically, I was responsible for the departments;
Financial and Human Resources
Capacity building and Indigenous engagement
Boards and committee secretariat services (including Joint Management on National Parks with traditional owners)
Quality control over the division’s high-level correspondence e.g
Ministerials and other briefings and all employment actions / recruitment business cases
Coordination of Parks and Wildlife’s 8 WHS committees and there reporting to Leadership Team
Staff managed -10 direct
Indirect – 12 apprentice rangers (directly managed by the ranger staff who are not my direct reports)
Since taking on the Assistant Directors role, I still maintained my role in managing the Indigenous Engagement Unit, as described below.
Manager
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
01.2015 - 01.2016
Capacity Building and Indigenous Engagement – SAO1 (EL1 / EO14 equivalent)
The Parks and Wildlife Commission is the Northern Territories peak body whose charter is to monitor, protect and preserve a comprehensive and representative system of parks, reserves and marine areas for people, biodiversity and economic growth
In my role as the Manger Capacity Building and Indigenous Engagement I was responsible to provide strategic advice and leadership to the Commission on work health and safety, training and development and Indigenous employment
Actively lead and managed the CB&IE Branch comprising a dispersed team based in Darwin and Alice Springs
Developed policy, strategies and make recommendations to the Parks and Wildlife Commission Leadership Team (PWLT) to provide the direction in managing and monitoring the WHS system to ensure compliance with current legislation
Develop employment and training policies and programs across the Commission aimed at maximizing outcomes in recruitment, retention and progression of staff
Develop strategies and action plans as officer accountable for the achievement of Indigenous employment targets including innovative ways to leverage resources and form partnerships and participation of Aboriginal people in employment programs and contract opportunities
Represent the Commission at inter-agency forums on work health and safety, training and development, Indigenous employment and Aboriginal affairs and liaise with senior management as a conduit of information
Prepare Ministerials, Legislative Assembly Briefs, Cabinet Submissions and other documents as required
Report to the PWLT on performance against targets and contribute to agency / whole of government high level reporting e.g
Election Commitments, Budget Estimates, and Annual Report
Staff managed -5 direct
Indirect – 12 apprentice rangers (directly managed by the ranger staff who are not my direct reports)
Education
Masters of Public Administration -
Flinders University SA
2016
Public Sector Management Program (Darwin NT -
2014
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Management
Flinders University SA
Bachelor of Applied Science - Natural Resources Management
University of Adelaide SA
1997
Skills
Database Administration
Problem Resolution
Human Resource Professional
Public Speaking
Conflict Resolution
Excellent Communication
Research
Decision-Making
Verbal Communication
Relationship Building
Timeline
Senior Manager ORALRA
Port
11.2021 - Current
Unit Head, EPA
01.2020
Senior Operations Officer
Environmental Protection Authority, EPA
01.2019 - 01.2021
Manager Commercial
Culture
01.2018 - 01.2019
Assistant Director
Department, Tourism and Culture
01.2016 - 01.2018
Manager
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
01.2015 - 01.2016
Masters of Public Administration -
Flinders University SA
Public Sector Management Program (Darwin NT -
Graduate Certificate - Public Sector Management
Flinders University SA
Bachelor of Applied Science - Natural Resources Management