Kara Fournie
Hastings
Summary
Dynamic Health and Safety Systems and Compliance Manager with a distinguished history at the Department of Education, specialising in strategic planning, change management, and health and safety advisory services. Renowned for exceptional team-building and analytical skills that drive operational excellence while cultivating productive relationships across all organizational levels. Achievements include implementing significant improvements in safety protocols and compliance standards, consistently delivering results under pressure. Committed to enhancing workplace safety culture and ensuring regulatory adherence through innovative solutions, proactive leadership, and a strong focus on collaboration and operational efficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Corporate OHS and Stakeholder Management
Department of Education and Training
07.2021 - Current
- Leadership and people management
- Establish and manage team practices
- Ensure continuous improvement in policy, programs, and services
- Stakeholder engagement and management
- Lead health, safety and wellbeing program and policy design
- Conceptualise, implement, promote, and evaluate complex and innovative health, safety and wellbeing programs and initiatives
- Leading a diverse team, as an integral part of a broader executive and management team
- Provision of support to the Director, Strategy and Capability Branch, as required
- Development and oversight over key team project communications are developed.
- Development of Briefs, project reports, consultation materials
- Provision of health and safety related training
- Budget management
- Leading my team to develop the employee COVID-19 vaccination system specifications and confirmed case process
- Streamlined operational workflows to enhance team efficiency and productivity.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement innovative process improvements across departments.
- Developed and monitored key performance indicators to assess team productivity and service quality.
Health and Safety Systems Compliance Director (Secondment)
Department of Education
07.2024 - 12.2024
- Long service leave coverage and an additional 12 months of Acting coverage
- Reporting directly to the Employee Safety, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Executive Director.
- Leadership of the Branch including three teams and people manager to four direct reports
- Strategically lead the Safe and Well in Education Strategy 2019-2024 evaluation being conducted by an independent evaluator
- Strategic planning of multiple stakeholder management meetings for school and corporate staff including with unions, principal associations and the regulator
- Oversee the development and commence implementation of a data strategy for the Division
- Oversee the development of health, safety and wellbeing policies and functions for the new Early Learning and Childcare Centres
- Collaborate across the department on the implementation of a VAGO recommendation including developing and implementing an evaluation framework that monitors and reports on key health and safety indicators for Victorian government principals
- Strategic leadership of the independent OHS assurance program which supports the implementation of the department's OHS Management System (OHSMS) in schools
- Oversee new major programs and procurements including the Conflict Resolution Support Service and Principal Health Checks programs
- Oversee a large OHSMS policy review project, new eLearn development and health safety and wellbeing training for school leaders
- Oversee the development of strategic communications for the Employee Safety Wellbeing and Inclusion Division
- Oversee project governance and performance reporting.
Employee Safety, Respect and Inclusion Director (Secondment)
Department of Education
05.2024 - 06.2024
- Reporting directly to the Employee Safety, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Executive Director.
- Oversee systems of work to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations and standards;
- Development of strategic initiatives to prevent work related violence and other behaviours that pose a risk to health and safety, and to promote and embed diversity and inclusion;
- Oversee project governance, and ensure the delivery of initiatives and commitments.
- Engage with stakeholders, and ensure programs and initiatives are effectively consulted upon, and are responsive to employee feedback and data insights.
- Oversee initiatives and services that aim to improve the capability of the Department's workforce
- Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships with unions, regulator agencies, health and safety representatives, staff networks, Whole of Victorian Government committees and other agencies and departments.
- Management of two teams:
- The Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Team develops policies, programs, and initiatives to ensure diverse and inclusive workplaces in DE's workplaces, including schools and corporate offices.
- The Respectful and Safe Workplaces team develops, implements, and leads initiatives to ensure DE staff experience respectful workplaces through the prevention and management of psychosocial hazards, including bullying, sexual harassment, and work-related violence in DE's workplaces, including schools and corporate offices.
EduSafe Plus Project Manager (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2020 - 09.2021
- Project Management
- Defining health, safety specifications for smarter system development
- Leading a diverse team within EHSWD and IMTD
- Internal and external stakeholder management
- Leading a sophisticated change approach
- Development and oversight over key communications developed
- Leading the review of the Department's OHS Management System
- Provision of support to the Project Director and EHSWD Director, as required
- Development of Briefs, project reports, consultation materials
- Managing and oversight over integration of OHSMS audit and Case Management system
- Management of budget
- Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
- Re-baseline of the eduSafe Plus Project, due to be rolled out July 2020
- Development of the OHSMS Tactical Solution, due to be rolled out July 2020
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
COVIDSafe Assurance Director (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2021 - 07.2021
- COVIDSafe Assurance Project Management and oversight, including project changes in line with Workplace Directions
- Leading consultation with the Department of Health and coordinating the development of next steps of the Assurance Program
- Leading a diverse team, as an integral part of a broader executive and management team
- Provision of support to the Executive Director, EHSWD, as required
- Development and oversight over key communications developed
- On-going engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
- Development of Briefs, project reports, consultation materials
- Leading the implementation of the digital COVIDSafe Assurance Checklist
- Provision of health and safety related training
- Budget management
- Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
- Leading my team to revise the COVIDSafe Assurance Program school selection methodology
- Leading my team to conduct 159 COVIDSafe Assurance Program visits in eight weeks
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
COVIDSafe Assurance Manager (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
09.2020 - 12.2020
- COVIDSafe Assurance Project Management
- Managing liaison with the Department of Health
- Leading a diverse team, as an integral part of a broader management team
- Provision of support to the A/COVIDSafe Assurance Director, as required
- Development and review of key communications developed
- On-going engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including the Department of Health
- Development of Briefs, project reports, consultation material
- Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
- Leading the team to complete 264 COVIDSafe Assurance Program visits
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
Manager, Employee Wellbeing Reforms (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
06.2019 - 12.2019
- Leading a diverse team, as an integral part of a broader management team
- Provision of support to the Project Director and EHSWD Director, as required
- Managing and oversight over eight complex projects with multiple deadlines, reporting requirements and budgets
- Leading a sophisticated change approach with multiple internal and external stakeholders
- Managing an implementation approach across various initiatives, with a knowledge of employee health, safety, and wellbeing highly beneficial
- Development and oversight over key communications developed
- On-going engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including preparation for key stakeholder meetings and responding to stakeholder concerns
- Development of Briefs, project reports, consultation materials
- Implementation of eduSafe plus new governance structure and re-baseline delivery
- Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
Safety Specialist (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Manage project Engagement of Specialist OHS Providers
- Report on project status
- Manage budget and deliverables
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders
- Conduct procurement activities (probity)
- Develop communication strategies
- Support the delivery of OHS and Workers' Compensation related reforms
- Establishment of a working group between FSD and (EHSWD) to understand school cash balances
- Establishment of a working group between the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) and EHSWB to streamline access to providers
- Provision of support for other related activities undertaken in the Branch (e.g., Marsh contract)
- Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
- Determination of a funding and support model in collaboration with Financial Services Division (FSD) and Schools Procurement
- Obtaining financial data from FSD key OHS Providers to inform market analysis
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
Senior OHS Policy Advisor
Department of Education and Training
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Manage and coordinate the DET's OHS Management System development and implementation
- Manage state-wide consultation for OHS Management System documents or projects
- Develop and manage state-wide projects to systematically reduce health, safety, and wellbeing risks e.g., risk reduction project, OHS Improvement project for the follow up of audits
- Management of the OHS Advisory and Consultancy Services contract to DET workplaces (over 1500 sites)
- Procurement/tendering of multi-million-dollar contracts
- Establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Develop and coordinate communication strategies to deliver changes in line with new policies or legislation
- Website development and management
- Developing briefs and reports of emerging OHS issues and providing strategies for action
- Conducting ergonomic assessments
- Company Overview: Employee Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion Division (ESWID)
Regional OHS Advisor
Yooralla
09.2013 - 12.2013
- Successfully reviewed Yooralla's OHS Management System
- Supported Yooralla's workplaces to implement the OHS Procedures
- Conducted incident investigations
- Liaised with senior executives on health, safety, and wellbeing matters
- Successful review of Yooralla's OHSMS, consisting of over 300 documents
Barwon Southwestern OHS Regional Advisor
Department of Education and Training
01.2012 - 09.2013
- Engaging and supporting 139 Barwon South Western schools to establish and implement DET's Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- Coordinating, monitoring, and supporting effective management of OHS and WorkSafe issues in schools to enhance compliance with legislation to build capability at a local level
- Providing specialist OHS advice via e-mail, phone, and on-site visits for both regional staff and school-based employees
- Developing briefs and reports on emerging health and safety issues and recommending strategies for action
- Developing policies, procedures, and documentation for DET's Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- Developing and delivering training sessions for OHS Management, Risk Management, manual handling, OHS Law, and chemical management to health and safety officers, health and safety representatives and senior management
- Providing assistance to employees with DET's incident and hazard reporting system ‘eduSafe'
- Managing state budget for OHS Training and approval
- Conducting Ergonomic Assessments for both regional and school base staff
- Providing specialist assistance to schools in Asbestos Management and chemical management
- Conducting Risk Assessments and developing Safe Work Procedures
- Conducting Incident Investigations and developing action plans
- The Employee Health Unit
- Successful implementation of DET's OHSMS across 139 sites
- 139 sites are successfully reporting into DET's incident and hazard reporting system ‘EduSafe'
- Company Overview: The Employee Health Unit
Eastern Metropolitan OHS Regional Advisor
Department of Education and Training
05.2011 - 12.2012
- Engaging and supporting 139 Barwon Southwestern schools to establish and implement DET's Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- Coordinating, monitoring, and supporting effective management of OHS and WorkSafe issues in schools to enhance compliance with legislation to build capability at a local level
- Providing specialist OHS advice via e-mail, phone, and on-site visits for both regional staff and school-based employees
- Developing briefs and reports on emerging health and safety issues and recommending strategies for action
- Developing policies, procedures, and documentation for DET's Occupational Health and Safety Management System
- Developing and delivering training sessions for OHS Management, Risk Management, manual handling, OHS Law, and chemical management to health and safety officers, health and safety representatives and senior management
- Providing assistance to employees with DET's incident and hazard reporting system ‘eduSafe'
- Managing state budget for OHS Training and approval
- Conducting Ergonomic Assessments for both regional and school base staff
- Providing specialist assistance to schools in Asbestos Management and chemical management
- Conducting Risk Assessments and developing Safe Work Procedures
- Conducting Incident Investigations and developing action plans
- The Employee Safety and Wellbeing Unit
- Company Overview: The Employee Safety and Wellbeing Unit
Environment Safety Officer/Administration
The University of Melbourne
06.2010 - 05.2011
- Promote University of Melbourne sustainability initiatives to staff
- Maintain awareness about sustainability issues
- Relay communication between staff and Sustainability Unit- to develop initiatives and resolve concerns
- Raising staff awareness about the impact of their work upon the environment
- Provide staff with tools to improve and minimize their impact on the environment
- Facilitating and supporting staff in creating their own sustainable initiatives
- Developing and implementing risk management solutions in the workplace
- Attending monthly safety meetings to discuss and share safety initiatives being carried out in the departments
- Completing incident reports
Education
Management of Budgets and Financial Plans - Finance
Institute of Public Administration Australia
Melbourne, VIC01.2020
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Training And Assessment
Open Training Institute
Melbourne, VIC01.2016
Provide First Aid -
St Johns
Melbourne, VIC01.2015
Lead Auditor in OHS Management Systems - undefined
SAI Global
01.2013
Gain the Policy Edge - undefined
Institute of Public Administration
01.2013
Incident Investigation Training - undefined
SAI Global
01.2012
Bachelor of Health Sciences - Occupational Health and Safety & Ergonomics
La Trobe University
09.2007
Certificate III Sport - Martial Arts
International College of KENSHUSEI
01.2007
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) - undefined
The Academy of Mary Immaculate
Melbourne, Victoria12.2006
Skills
- Long-term strategic planning
- Business process improvement
- Change management
- Team building and management
- Strong relationship management
- Analytical thinking
- Adaptability
- Integrity
- Budgeting
- Thrives in fast-paced environments
- Composed under pressure
- Stakeholder management
- Health and safety compliance
- Project management
Accomplishments
- Delivered the Employee Wellbeing and Operational Policy Reforms
- Delivered eduSafe Plus, the consolidated hazard, incident and reporting platform
- Managed the COVIDSafe Assurance Program for Victorian Government Schools
- Procured the new Employee Wellbeing Support Services, Conflict Resolution Support Services, Principal Health Checks and Chemical Management Solution
- Manage the strategic stakeholder engagements related to health and safety for the department of Education
ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
2020, Olympic taekwondo qualification, 2016, Silver medallist at the Oceania Taekwondo Championships, 2011, Quarter finalist at the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, Multiple, 5x national Taekwondo champion & 15x state champion
Timeline
Health and Safety Systems Compliance Director (Secondment)
Department of Education
07.2024 - 12.2024
Employee Safety, Respect and Inclusion Director (Secondment)
Department of Education
05.2024 - 06.2024
Manager, Corporate OHS and Stakeholder Management
Department of Education and Training
07.2021 - Current
COVIDSafe Assurance Director (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2021 - 07.2021
COVIDSafe Assurance Manager (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
09.2020 - 12.2020
EduSafe Plus Project Manager (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2020 - 09.2021
Manager, Employee Wellbeing Reforms (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
06.2019 - 12.2019
Safety Specialist (Secondment)
Department of Education and Training
01.2019 - 12.2019
Senior OHS Policy Advisor
Department of Education and Training
01.2014 - 01.2018
Regional OHS Advisor
Yooralla
09.2013 - 12.2013
Barwon Southwestern OHS Regional Advisor
Department of Education and Training
01.2012 - 09.2013
Eastern Metropolitan OHS Regional Advisor
Department of Education and Training
05.2011 - 12.2012
Environment Safety Officer/Administration
The University of Melbourne
06.2010 - 05.2011
Lead Auditor in OHS Management Systems - undefined
SAI Global
Gain the Policy Edge - undefined
Institute of Public Administration
Incident Investigation Training - undefined
SAI Global
Bachelor of Health Sciences - Occupational Health and Safety & Ergonomics
La Trobe University
Certificate III Sport - Martial Arts
International College of KENSHUSEI
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) - undefined
The Academy of Mary Immaculate
Management of Budgets and Financial Plans - Finance
Institute of Public Administration Australia
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Training And Assessment
Open Training Institute
Provide First Aid -
St Johns