Praveena Balu
Summary
My career has included roles in climate research, administration of water conservation measures, and administration in a communications role. I offer over 15 years professional experience and during this time, I have undertaken various training and development in technical and administrative areas. For almost five years, I've held the position of Water Conservation Officer for Icon Water and fulfilled the role of Communications Business Officer. Prior to my role at Communication Link as a Communication and Administration officer I have fulfilled the role of a Relieving Medical Receptionist further enhancing my administrative and customer service skills and also volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul Society assisting in administrative duties at the Gungahlin store.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Communication and Administration Assistant
Communication Link
05.2021 - 11.2023
- Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
- Executed record filing system to improve document organization and management.
- Restocked supplies and placed purchase orders to maintain adequate stock levels.
- Recorded expenses and maintained accounting records.
- Consulted with leadership to identify processes requiring improvement to support growth and success.
- Prepared weekly employee work schedules to meet operational needs.
- Drafted agendas, recorded minutes and generated documents to facilitate meetings.
- Booked airfare, hotel, and ground transportation to coordinate office travel.
- Received and sorted incoming mail and packages to record, dispatch, or distribute to correct recipient.
- Scheduled office meetings and client appointments for staff teams.
- Assisted development and implementation of new administrative procedures.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Performed research to collect and record industry data.
- Increased office participation in special events by creating newsletter with detailed calendars and other office updates.
Volunteer in Administration Duties
St Vincent De Paul Society
01.2020
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Provided administrative support to department leads to help organize events and fundraisers.
Engagement Officer
The Communication Link
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Set up event props and ensure company logo is well displayed
- Listening and engaging with members of community to seek their feedback on projects and initiatives and providing feedback to on the learnings
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Relieving Medical Receptionist
Fullerton Health
05.2019 - 07.2019
- Coordinated patient scheduling, check-in, check-out and payments for billing.
- Helped patients complete necessary medical forms and documentation.
- Maintained current and accurate medical records for patients.
- Supported office staff and operational requirements with administrative tasks.
- Invoiced patients accurately in line with charging guidelines.
- Printed prescription requests and queries in compliance with practice protocol.
- Managed multi-line phone system and pleasantly greeted patients.
- Checked patient insurance, demographic, and health history to keep information current.
Communications Administrator
The Communication Link
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Streamlined internal communications for improved employee engagement and productivity.
- Managed the community feedback email inboxes, responded to emails as appropriate based on approved responses, coordinated responses from others as required
- Data entry of emails and other community correspondence into community consultation database for analysis of community consultation
- Data entry of 'record of discussion' forms from community roadshows
- Complied weekly Progress Reports with accurate figures and graphs
Communications Business Officer
Icon Water
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Managed day-to-day development issues.
- Undertake general administrative duties including general word processing, filing, copying and faxing, collation and distribution of minutes, reports and other documents, undertake and assist in the recording and processing of invoices, receipts and payments as required
- Integrate and implement Icon Water's communication strategies, concepts, plans and initiatives into all marketing and and communication materials, digital and print
- Responsible for coordinating Icon Water's participation in relevant events, exhibitions and conferences
- Driving the publishing of content on the Icon Water website, intranet and social media channels, in line with communication and branding strategies
Water Conservation Officer
Icon Water
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Providing appropriate advice to members of community via correspondence and telephone calls, including reception duties as required.
- Preparing notices to customers, ensuring quality procedures and updating customer records.
- Processing exemptions, monitoring and administering compliance issues. This would require the ability to quickly acquire a good understanding of relevant policies, regulations and procedures.
- Maintaining accurate records in the Office database.
- Acting as a reliable backup for the other team members in communications and event support services.
- Assisted in revising the Permanent Water Conservation Measures - Temporary Water Restrictions Scheme for ACT Government
-
- Attended personnel meetings and training sessions to improve skills and learn new policies and procedures.
- Prepared and submitted detailed reports regarding assignments and ongoing investigations.
- Responded to emergency calls relayed from dispatcher or supervisors and communicated situation details to other officers.
Climate Scientific Officer
Fiji Meteorological Services
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Use of Geographical Information System to plot historical Tropical Cyclone tracks
- Research for various queries from clients using climate data and information
- Prepared Monthly Weather Summary for the general public
- Analysis of weather data from climate stations around the country
- Update the Climate Web Page for Fiji Meteorological Website
- Contributed to a positive work environment by sharing responsibilities equitably among team members.
- Enhanced research quality by implementing advanced analytical techniques and methodologies.
- Presented research findings at conferences and seminars, promoting the organization''s expertise in the field.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of The South Pacific
Skills
- Well developed communications and stakeholder liaison skills
- Good analytical and problem solving skills, drawing on research background
- Demonstrated organisational skills to help teams stay focused and deliver results
- Effective time management and ability to meet deadlines under pressure
- Computer literate – Microsoft Packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and also Geographical Information Systems
- Strong administrative skills; maintaining accurate records, database and document management
- Event management; organising stakeholder meetings, liaising with industry representatives and local venues, arranging delegate travel, catering and coordinating company displays at major public events and varied locations
- Attention to Detail
- Empathy and compassion
Accomplishments
- Developed best practice measures relating to water saving for affected industries
- Prepared and updated relevant manuals for staff
- Assisted in revising the Permanent Water Conservation Measures – Temporary Water Restrictions Scheme for ACT Government.
- Plotted historical tropical cyclone maps using Geographical Information Systems which was then used by weather forecasters for research purposes
- Produced various climate bulletins for interested sectors (agriculture and health) by providing climate predictions based on climate models
- Analytical skills
Languages
English
Gujarati
Hindi
Career Overview
- 2021-2023, Communication and Administration Assistant, Communication Link, Canberra
- 2020, Volunteer in Administration Duties, St Vincent De Paul Society
- 2019 August-December, Engagement Officer, The Communication Link, Canberra
- 2019 May-July, Relieving Medical Receptionist, Fullerton Health
- 2018 June – August, Communications Administrator, The Communication Link, Canberra
- 2013-2015, Communications Business Officer, Icon Water, Canberra
- 2008-2013, Water Conservation Officer, Icon Water, Canberra
- 2003-2007, Climate Scientific Officer, Fiji Meteorological Services, Fiji
References
- Ellen Schwab, Executive Manager, Communication Link, ellen@communicationlink.com.au, 0427 250 183
- Belinda Roche, Corporate Coordinator, Communication Link, belinda@communicationlink.com.au, 0409 347 358
- Lina Blair, 0422 987 082
Timeline
Communication and Administration Assistant
Communication Link
05.2021 - 11.2023
Volunteer in Administration Duties
St Vincent De Paul Society
01.2020
Engagement Officer
The Communication Link
08.2019 - 12.2019
Relieving Medical Receptionist
Fullerton Health
05.2019 - 07.2019
Communications Administrator
The Communication Link
06.2018 - 08.2018
Communications Business Officer
Icon Water
01.2013 - 01.2015
Water Conservation Officer
Icon Water
01.2008 - 01.2013
Climate Scientific Officer
Fiji Meteorological Services
01.2003 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
University of The South Pacific
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