Skills & Experience Summary

Computer Skills / Programming

  • SQL Database Design, Creation and Management - MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite
  • Backend Web Development - PHP, Codeigniter, Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal
  • Frontend Web Development - HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, jQuery, AJAx, Bootstrap
  • API Intergration - SMS Gateways, Email Services
  • Version Control - GIT (Github, Bitbucket)
  • Server Management - Ubuntu, Apache, Amazon Web Services (EC2, S3, Cloudfront)
  • Network Design and Management - IP, Ethernet, etc.

Management and Leadership

  • Emergency and Disaster Management
  • Team Leadership and Mentoring
  • Project Management, Solution Design and Technical Documentation
  • Vendor Management

Self Education / Skill Development

  • Predominantly self-taught
  • Strong drive to expand my comfort zone, to learn new skills to handle new challenges
  • VETAB Qualified as a Small Group Trainer to help develop skills of colleagues
  • Thirst for knowledge

Technical Experience & Aptitude

  • More than 16 years in Web Development
  • 5 years in a Customer-facing Technical Fault Management Team
  • 4 years in a Tier 2 Fault Management Team
  • 8 years reverse-engineering the Optus HFC Network to develop reports, workflows, procedures and training materials for fault investigation and service restoration
  • 5 years in a Tier 1 Network Management Team in the Network Management Centre
  • More than 15 years in Volunteer Emergency Services, with 12 years in Management roles

Employment History

Lead Developer & Technical Creative

1000heads

2016 - Present

Joining the 1000heads Agency as an on-demand resource, assisting with the design, creation, execution and management of technical campaigns for various clients such as Microsoft, Lenovo, Samsung, Arrow, UNIQLO, Cleanaway, among others.

  • Ideation of concepts for clients
  • Development of bespoke online systems for promotional campaigns
  • Design and Creation of systems for Conference Attendee Engagement
  • Consultation on user behaviours with respect to software and hardware developers
  • Creation of the 1000heads Social Command in their Sydney Office

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, HTML, HTML5 (incl. HTML5 Video), CSS, Javascript (incl. jQuery), Various Services via API (SMS Gateways, Twilio, etc.), LAMP, AWS, Microsoft Azure, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, etc.), Arduino

Chief Technology Officer

Sourcr Recruitment Marketplace

2016 - 2018

Sourcr was a Sydney-based startup focused on revolutionising the way that Employers find the best candidates to join their team, how Recruiters find vacancies within their area of specialisation, and the management of the entire recruiting process.

  • Creation of Detailed Functional Specification for development by contractors
  • Management of development contractors throughout project lifecycle
  • Strategic planning for system development, marketing and business development

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, HTML, HTML5 (incl. HTML5 Video), CSS, Javascript (incl. jQuery), LAMP, AWS, Various Services via API (Mailgun, SMS Gateways, etc.), Wordpress, Codeigniter.

Co-Founder & Web Developer

Lumik Digital

2013 - Present

Founded by myself and Mik Cronin (the creative side of the partnership). We rapidly gaining a reputation for fast quality work, with a far greater hands-on mentality, and a focus on educating our clients as well as satisfying their needs.

Whereas most "digital" agencies are traditional agencies trying to change their stripes, Mik, myself, and our small team live, breathe and dream in digital, and that immersive culture is reflecting in our work. We take great pride in what we do, and, again, unlike more traditional agencies, we refuse to do work unless it will truly achieve the goals set out for the project.

  • Website design, development & maintenance, including Content Management Systems
  • Investigation and resolution of technical difficulties involving established software, custom programs/scripts and server difficulties
  • Management of client and supplier relations - managing conflict, negotiations to ensure greatest possible margins alongside lowest possible costs

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, HTML, HTML5 (incl. HTML5 Video), XML, CSS, Smarty, Javascript (incl. jQuery), LAMP, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, Joomla, etc.)

Senior Web Developer

Publicis Healthcare / Saatchi & Saatchi

2011-2012

Joining the newly established Publicis Healthware International team, I am working as part of a small group developing IT solutions for a number of global and well-known healthcare companies.

  • Creation of iPad-based training and product education packages
  • Development of website for marketing, customer education and information management purposes

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, HTML, HTML5 (incl. HTML5 Video), XML, CSS, Smarty, Javascript (incl. jQuery), LAMP, GIT, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, Joomla, etc.)

Programmer, Web Developer, Consultant

Lucanos Solutions (Sole Trader)

2006 - Present

Establishing my own freelance business as a second income stream, I have been working under contract on a number of projects involving web development, consulting and photography. These activities provide me with a good insight into market demands and the direction of current advances with regards to information technology. It also provides me with ongoing opportunities to expand and refine my development, project management and programming skills.

  • Website design, development & maintenance, including Content Management Systems
  • Investigation and resolution of technical difficulties involving established software, custom programs/scripts and server difficulties
  • Management of client and supplier relations - managing conflict, negotiations to ensure greatest possible margins alongside lowest possible costs

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, HTML, HTML5 (incl. HTML5 Video), XML, CSS, Smarty, Javascript (incl. jQuery), LAMP, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, Joomla, etc.)

Project Manager / Web Developer (Secondment)

Singtel Optus

2006

As the lead for an internal project, I investigated opportunities to develop internal solutions for Knowledge and Information Management within the Network Management Centre and the Networks Division as a whole. As the only person allocated to this project full-time, my role spanned everything from high-level planning to develop a big-picture solution through to liaising with users and representatives to ensure that the solution addressed their needs through to the actual coding and programming of the system itself.

  • Creation of a Project Plan, identifying distinct phases for development and classification of goals which corresponded with those phases to provide a simple evolution of the system and usage
  • Investigation, installation and adaptation of Open Source solutions to create a single integrated system. (This produced massive savings on licensing costs, support and later development.)
  • Creation of a website design and layout, which provided for easy identification of the system, navigation through the provided menus and systems, and also further customisation to allow individual workgroups to tailor the site to their needs and establish their own identity
  • Analysis of existing knowledge management and information storage solutions, their strengths and weaknesses and planning their migration of into the solution
  • Communication of project achievements and challenges to the team leaders in charge to ensure that they were aware of the current status of the system and the associated needs as they arose

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, HTML, XML (incl. RSS), CSS, Javascript, LAMP, Linux, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, Joomla, TextPattern, etc.)

Network Engineer

Singtel Optus

2004 - 2009

Working within a medium-sized team, I assisted in providing around-the-clock monitoring, maintenance and support for the Optus National Network, specifically dealing with local, national and international voice traffic, SMS and associated services.

  • Handling of network faults, including major outages affecting critical services and equipment
  • Liaison with other technical workgroups, such as engineering, field services, customer service, customer fault management and other related groups
  • Prompt and effective handling of special and sensitive requests from Law Enforcement agencies
  • Pro-active reporting and investigation of network conditions to reduce impacts to services
  • Design, development and deployment of systems to assist with workplace co-ordination, knowledge storage and reporting

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript, Google Maps, LAMP, Perl, Linux, Open Source Packages (Wordpress, Joomla, etc.)

Project Co-Ordinator - Senior Analyst

Singtel Optus

1999 - 2004

Working within the small Tier 2 team supporting Customer Fault Management nationally, I provided an internal escalation point for difficult, repeat or escalated customer faults and investigations. In this role I deal with difficult and sensitive or high-value customers, as well as legal and regulatory matters.

  • Handling of repeat, difficult and unusual customer faults
  • Investigation of fault trends to identify root causes and options for proactive resolution
  • Liaison with vendors, internal stakeholders and providers to ensure the work practices used within the Tier 2 & Tier 1 groups were the most effective and efficient possible
  • Development and delivery of training material to the Tier 1 group to address skills gaps identified by fault trend analysis.
  • Discussions with vendors to escalate and resolve fault trends identified within their equipment
  • Acting in the role of the Network Engineer (my manager) during periods of absence or high demand, including management of the Tier 2 team, attendance to workshops and other meetings and delivery of technical reports
  • Design, development and deployment of in-house solutions to assist with fault trending, report production and workgroup performance/quality

Technologies Used: Filemaker Pro (incl. CDML), HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript

Customer Fault Consultant

Singtel Optus

1998 - 1999

Working within the Customer Fault Management (CFM) group on a 24/7 rotating roster, I provided a first point of contact for customer faults and technical enquiries with regards to the Local Access Telephony product. I performed first level investigation and diagnosis of faults, then applied a resolution, provided customer education or escalated to an internal group for action.

  • Managing customer complaints, sometimes involving an irate or upset customer
  • Communicating with many customers (internal and external) with differing levels of technical aptitude and experience to communicate the details of the problem and gain further information and assistance to develop a solution
  • Education and development of members of my team on the technical and procedural guidelines and resources governing this role
  • Preliminary reverse-engineering of the Cable (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) Network to develop working guidelines and procedures to expedite the diagnosis of faults and the handling of their resolution
  • Analysis and reporting on workplace statistics (Fault Data, ACD Call Records, etc.) to accurately record the performance of our team, and other teams in the group

Technologies Used: Filemaker Pro (incl. CDML), HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript

Volunteer Employment

Community Engagement Officer

New South Wales Rural Fire Service

2018 - Present

My RFS Brigade asked that I take on the Community Engagement Officer position due to my experience in a similar capacity within the New South Wales State Emergency Service.

  • Attendance to Community Events and Presentations
  • Design and Delivery of Community Engagement Campaigns

First Aid & Safety Officer

New South Wales Rural Fire Service

2018 - Present

My RFS Brigade asked that I fill the First Aid and Safety Officer positions due to my previous experience within the New South Wales State Emergency Service, as well as additional training and experience I have gathered in terms of the management of traumatic injuries.

  • Communication of Safety Bulletins to Brigade Members
  • Ensuring Compliance with any Safety Directives of Documents
  • Maintenance of First Aid and Safety equipment

Firefighter

New South Wales Rural Fire Service

2017 - Present

I joined the Rural Fire Service to explore and develop additional skills, to assist in the development of my fellow volunteers through sharing the training and experience I have received through NSW SES, and to assist the community in a more direct manner during bushfire emergencies.

  • Operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment and vehicles
  • Coaching, mentoring and training

Developer - Lighthouse Extension

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2016 - Present

The New South Wales State Emergency Service created a web-based job management system called Beacon. With limited resources within the organisation, experimenting with additional functionality and features was challenging. A fellow volunteer, Tim Dykes, created a Google Chrome Extension allowing additional Javascript and CSS to be inserted into the browser when using Beacon, thereby allowing features to be modified, interfaces to be changed, content to be replaced, etc.

As part of the Development Team developing and maintaining Lighthouse, the Chrome Extension, I discuss issues with userd, design solutions and then contibute my additions to the Team's repository via Github for review, testing and deployment.

  • Code review and refactoring
  • User requirements collection
  • Solution design
  • Code development, testing and submission

Deputy Local Controller - Rescue (Emergency Officer)

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2014 - Present

Advancing to the position of Deputy Local Controller, I am now responsible to my Local Controller for all aspects of the Rescue section within my local unit. I am assisted in this task by my Rescue Co-Ordinator who and Deputy Rescue Co-Ordinator.

Extending to strategic aspects of Unit management and planning, including developing plans for Unit recruitment, management of members, and execution of our duties under appropriate legislation, this role bears more responsibility and accountability than most of the volunteer positions I have held previously.

This role's focus consists of both the delivery of emergency assistance to members of the community, as well as driving the culture within the organisation to engage, motivate, retain and develop our volunteer members.

  • Team management, mentoring/coaching/training
  • Large-scale incident and disaster management
  • Identification of opportunities for Unit development and development of plans to facilitate same

Rescue Officer

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2013 - 2014

As the head of the Rescue Section of the Ku-Ring-Gai Unit. In this role I was responsible for the management, training and support of all volunteer members who take part in SES Operations. The Rescue Section comprised around 70 members and around 80% of the full unit strength.

This role's focus consisted of both the delivery of emergency assistance to members of the community, as well as driving the culture within the organisation to engage, motivate, retain and develop our volunteer members.

  • Team management, mentoring/coaching/training
  • Large-scale incident and disaster management
  • Identification and encouragement of leadership potential within the section

Rescue Team Leader

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2010 - 2013

As part of the Information Technology Management Team for the Administration Section of the Ku-Ring-Gai Unit. In this role I was responsible for the maintenance and support of servers (both shared remote web hosting and a local Fedora server) along with the design and development of the applications and resources hosted on these servers.

  • Desktop support for internal users
  • Supervision of training within the department, including delivery of training sessions and individual coaching
  • Troubleshooting of systems which rely on externally provided services (email, SMS, etc.)
  • Development and support of internal solutions for SMS, email and other requests for assistance from the community to ensure speedy and reliable communication to our teams

Technical Officer

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2006 - 2013

As part of the Rescue Section of the Ku-Ring-Gai Unit. In this role I was responsible for the management, training and support of a team of 15 members, spanning various levels of experience, and skills. This includes management in the field, on job sites and during major operations, as well as management of their personal development and coaching to ensure that they gain the skills and experience required of a volunteer rescue member.

  • Team management, mentoring/coaching/training
  • Supervision of members on jobsites and during major events
  • Identification and encouragement of leadership potential within the team

Technologies Used: PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript, LAMP, Perl, Linux, Third-party Services via API (Clickatell)

Deputy Rescue Officer

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2004 - 2009

As part of the management group for the Rescue Section of the Ku-Ring-Gai Unit, which comprised around 70 members, I was responsible for direct management of crew members when on jobs, higher level management of crews and resources during field operations and the training of members.

  • Management of teams and other resources throughout a designated area during operational periods
  • Supervision of training within the department, including delivery of training sessions and individual coaching
  • Co-ordination of Team Leaders and to ensure coverage 24hrs a day, 7 days a week

Rescue Team Member

New South Wales State Emergency Service

2002 - Present

As part of one of the teams forming the Rescue Section of the Ku-Ring-Gai Unit. In this role I take part in SES rescue operations. As a team member I maintain, operate and train in the use of various pieces of rescue and first aid equipment.

  • Establishing order from chaos
  • Working within a team, or taking command of a situation as needed
  • Managing stressful and dangerous situations, both within myself as well as assisting other members of the team or community to deal with their own reactions to these situations
  • Providing one-on-one coaching, or group instruction on technical and practical skills to ensure that their skills development continues throughout their time in the position