Simon Taylor
Summary
Proactive and meticulous Manager with over 28 years of experience in regulation, compliance and law enforcement industry's. Well regarded as a professional leader with comprehensive background developed on broad experience across regulatory context's and subject matter. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Flexible with changing needs and dependable in all situations. Skilled in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and stakeholder communication. Highly motivated and prepared to drive impactful results.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Regional Manager
NSW Environment Protection Authority
01.2024 - Current
- Successfully led and developed a high performing geographically dispersed team focused on strategic improvement in forestry regulation.
- Team was awarded category winner and highly commended for two different projects in NSW EPA Shine Awards 2024.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to address known and emerging risks.
- Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and performance feedback to staff members.
- Continually promote a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing process reviews, employee engagement initiatives, and open channels of communication across.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals.
Acting Regional Manager, Regulatory Operations
NSW Environment Protection Authority
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Led cross-functional teams in Dubbo and Narrabri across complex environmental issues, such as coal seam gas and pesticides.
- Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and performance feedback to staff members.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing process reviews, employee engagement initiatives, and open channels of communication.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with small regional local councils to drive environmental improvement across both licenced and un-licenced sites.
- Boosted employee morale by creating a positive work environment that encouraged teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities.
Unit Head, Regulatory Operations
NSW Environment Protection Authority
11.2022 - Current
- Permanently appointed to this role on 9/11/2022, following extensive period of acting across regional NSW.
- Developed high performing teams using exceptional communication and interpersonal relationship building teams.
- Proactively collaborated with small regional council to strategically address complex historical challenges with a landfill site, on a foundation of stewardship.
- Managed local response to emergency incident and statewide incidents such as bush fire and flood event.
- Drove continuous improvement in response and regulatory outcomes for non-compliance using expert investigation skills and knowledge.
- Applied risk based approach when assessing breach of legislation, licence conditions and report of environmental harm, to ensure appropriate response in a resource scare environment.
Senior Investigator
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
04.2019 - 09.2021
- Led numerous successful investigations into allegations against native vegetation legislation offences, including a NSW State Owned Corporation, resulting in penalty notices and prosecutions in the Land and Environment Court.
- Consistently demonstrated superior investigation skills, cognitive agility and capacity to investigate complex environmental allegations including radiation and pesticide offences.
- Developed and maintained strong professional relationships with internal legal advice and litigation teams.
- Actively mentored and developed operations officers, through supporting investigation and providing advice.
- Regarded as a subject matter expert in forestry regulation in EPA.
- Professional and respectful approach with regulated entities resulted in cooperative relationships in a traditional adversarial context.
Casual Teacher
Various Secondary School
07.2018 - 06.2023
- Casual teacher of various subjects across years 7-12 in secondary schools in QLD and NSW
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
QLD Compliance Operations Manager & National Fraud Incident Advisor
Department of Education and Training - Australian Government
05.2014 - 01.2018
- Lead and coordinate a team undertaking complex investigations nationally into alleged non-compliance with the family assistance law
- Ensure investigations undertaken are ethical and in accordance with the relevant Commonwealth legislation, investigation standards and procedures
- Develop, manage and coordinate special projects focusing on specific areas of noncompliance identified through risk management strategies
- Provide expert strategic and technical advice to senior executive officers in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of non-compliance and fraud to ensure the integrity of payments and mitigate associated risks
- Developed several procedures and resources to improve the investigative standards within the department, which have been adopted nationally
- Liaise closely with the Department of Education Training - Queensland Government providing information and assistance as permitted by legislation
Senior Investigator
Department of Education - Australian Government
06.2013 - 05.2014
- Efficiently and effectively undertake and manage complex criminal investigations into suspected (internal and external) fraud against numerous programs administered by the department
- Provide strategic advice on fraud risks within the department and contribute to the maintenance of the fraud control policy framework
- Provide timely, accurate and useful advice to stakeholders (including the Executive and the Ministers) concerning the referral, assessment and investigation of suspected fraud against the department
- Manage information and intelligence resources supporting the investigation of suspected fraud against the department
- Maintain and support a robust Occupational Health and Safety environment
Police Sergeant
New South Wales Police Force
08.1995 - 03.2011
- Held a number of positions in metropolitan and regional areas of NSW. Further information can be provided upon request.
Education
Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching -
University of Southern Queensland
01.2018
Diploma of Government - Fraud Control
College for Law, Education and Training
01.2015
Certificate IV in Government - Investigations
Australian Forensic Services
01.2013
Master of Leadership and Management - Policing
Charles Sturt University
01.2011
Graduate Certificate in Police Negotiation -
Charles Sturt University
01.2008
Bachelor of Policing -
Charles Sturt University
01.2003
Diploma of Policing -
Charles Sturt University
01.2000
Skills
- Operations
- Staff training and development
- Strategic planning
- Staff management
- Operations management
- Leadership development
Awards
- Government of NSW Premiers Award of Recognition, 01/01/02
- NSW Police Service, District Commanders Certificate of Appreciation
- NSW Police Medal for Ethical and Diligent Service (10 years)
- Second clasp to the NSW Police Medal (15 years)
- The National Medal
- The National Police Service Medal
Timeline
Acting Regional Manager
NSW Environment Protection Authority
01.2024 - Current
Acting Regional Manager, Regulatory Operations
NSW Environment Protection Authority
11.2022 - 06.2023
Unit Head, Regulatory Operations
NSW Environment Protection Authority
11.2022 - Current
Senior Investigator
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
04.2019 - 09.2021
Casual Teacher
Various Secondary School
07.2018 - 06.2023
QLD Compliance Operations Manager & National Fraud Incident Advisor
Department of Education and Training - Australian Government
05.2014 - 01.2018
Senior Investigator
Department of Education - Australian Government
06.2013 - 05.2014
Police Sergeant
New South Wales Police Force
08.1995 - 03.2011
Diploma of Government - Fraud Control
College for Law, Education and Training
Certificate IV in Government - Investigations
Australian Forensic Services
Master of Leadership and Management - Policing
Charles Sturt University
Graduate Certificate in Police Negotiation -
Charles Sturt University
Bachelor of Policing -
Charles Sturt University
Diploma of Policing -
Charles Sturt University
Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching -
University of Southern Queensland
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