Investigator, Heavy Vehicles and Identity

Organisation: Roads and Maritime Services

Job Title: Investigator, Heavy Vehicles and Identity

Word Limit: Maximum of 4000 characters per point

Location: Sydney Region – Sydney- Greater West

Certificate IV in Government (Investigation) or equivalent or demonstrated experience in performing complex investigations leveraging a broad range of investigation methods and techniques

Subsequent to the completion of meticulous training with the Australian Defence Force, I held a twenty year career with the Army Ordnance Corps and Corps of Military Police. As a Military Police Officer, I was responsible for ensuring that the military adhered to defence and civilian laws, conventions, policies and directives, and utilised my investigative skills on a regular basis in the conduct of minor criminal investigations. This challenging position provided a solid foundation for my future employment within numerous compliance and investigative roles, including my previous role with Centrelink as a Fraud Investigation Officer. Whilst undertaking this role, I successfully completed a Certificate IV in Government (Investigation), thus providing me with the formal competencies required for statutory investigation under a range of legislation, regulations, mandated government and organisational policy and instructions.

My experience in performing complex investigations leveraging a broad range of investigation methods and techniques was demonstrated extensively as a Fraud Investigation Officer, and led to a record of accomplishment for a 100% success rate of confessions during my investigative process. The investigations that I conducted determined the facts relating to specific allegations of fraud through the collection and examination of evidence, and consistently complied with the minimum standards for investigations set out in the Australian Government Investigations Standards (AGIS), in addition to Centrelink’s policies and procedures for managing fraud investigations. This included various states of a fraud investigation, including investigation management methodologies and practices such as witness statements, interviews, evidence handling, and the use of surveillance, the use of informants, and the use of legislated powers such as coercion and the execution of search warrants. My success within this role was attributed to my strong preparation and organisation skills, as well as my interpersonal skills and ability to develop rapport with people from all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels. This involved implementing investigation plans to enable me to take a considered approach to planning and conducting investigations, thus providing assurance that my investigative approach was appropriate to the alleged fraud and situation, and that my practices clearly met legislative requirements. Moreover, my approach was on no account forceful, and by initiating my interviews prepared with evidence and a list of questions subsequent to first developing rapport, I ensured that all appropriate facts and admissions were gathered.

These methods and techniques were clearly demonstrated and further verified my success during the investigation of a customer suspected of thousands of dollars of Centrelink fraud. Subsequent to the alert of the suspected fraud, my initial information-gathering identified that the customer in question was claiming single Parenting Payments whilst her husband worked away in another state. Equipped with substantial evidence of the fraud gathered from retrieving financial records and interviewing the customer’s neighbours, in addition to preparing five questions relating to the five factors to be considered when determining a relationship status as per Centrelink guidelines, I conducted a successful interview. This enabled me to collect substantial evidence for all five of the factors and allowed me to form an opinion that the customer was in fact classed as living in a married relationship, thus leading to the determination that the customer was committing Centrelink fraud. My ability to perform this complex investigation whilst leveraging a broad range of investigation methods and techniques, led to prosecution of the customer; thus supporting Centrelink’s strategic Fraud Control Plan to deliver business integrity outcomes through a focus on prevention, detection and deterrence of fraud.

Demonstrated ability in formulating allegations, analysing information / evidence against allegations, reaching a conclusion, and recommending actions adhering to legislation

 During my career as a Fraud Investigation Officer with Centrelink, I gained extensive experience in formulating allegations, analysing information and evidence against allegations, reaching a conclusion and recommending actions adhering to legislation. This involved managing a high volume of cases and investigating potential cases of fraud and preparing briefs of evidence for consideration of prosecution action by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Moreover, my current role as a Review Officer with Roads and Maritime Services brings with it many challenges that require an astute ability to analyse information and evidence against allegations, reach sound conclusions, and recommend actions adhering to legislation. Through the application of high-level research, interview and analysis skills, I demonstrate my ability to investigate complex and often confronting customer issues in order to make determinations or negotiate outcomes relating to offence allegations. The conclusions that I reach are based on thorough interpretations of established departmental guidelines and legislation, and are appropriate based on the circumstances of each individual case.

 Whilst working as a Military Police Officer, my skills and abilities in this area were firmly developed and demonstrated through the wide variety of investigations and allegations that I dealt with through the conduct of Garrison Policing. This involved formulating allegations regarding minor criminal investigations, including traffic accidents and offences. When preparing a case file and conducting and investigation, I was required to collate and prepare evidence, prepare and hold interviews with witnesses and suspects, collect and record forensic evidence, maintain transcripts of taped interviews, update the national computer system, write reports, and attend the Australian Military Court of unit orderly room to provide evidence against the allegations. As an advocate for data-driven decision making, all decisions that were made were based on a careful analysis of the facts.

This was clearly demonstrated during an instance when I was called to investigate a traffic accident on the military base. It was alleged that the driver was a trainee and had lost control of the military vehicle in icy road conditions, causing it to roll over. As the passenger had been thrown from the vehicle, it was suspected that the occupants were not wearing seatbelts, thus resulting in the potential allegation of a traffic offence. As the Officer in charge of this investigation, I was responsible for gathering substantial evidence and information against the allegations. This involved conducting site and vehicle inspections, examining vehicle maintenance documentation, gathering evidence, including photographs of the accident, vehicle and the injured occupants, as well as conducting numerous interviews with the driver, passenger, witnesses and experts such as mechanics. Subsequent to thoroughly analysing the information and evidence that I had gathered, I identified that at the time of the accident, the vehicle’s tyres were bald, and that the seat in which the passenger had been sitting was missing the bolts that secured it to the vehicle. These facts enabled me to come to the conclusion that neither the driver nor the passenger had committed an offence and that an accident had in face occurred, however it could have been prevented. As such, the occurrence of this case prompted me to provide recommendations that all drivers, particularly trainee drivers, conduct and record specific vehicle maintenance and safety checks prior to driving on public roads. This would ensure that the integrity of all vehicles was maintained, whilst ensuring that all possible measures were undertaken to support the prevention of an accident of this nature in the future.

 Well-developed communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders at all levels

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my exceptional communication skills through my ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. My current and previous roles have provided me with extensive experience in responding appropriately to a diverse range of situations, including legally sensitive issues. As an Australian Public Service (APS) employee, I have a thorough understanding of the APS Values and Code of Conduct and how they apply to my official and personal communication. A confident and experienced communicator, I have the ability to negotiate, liaise and consult to achieve corporate and client service objectives. This is demonstrated in my current role as Review Officer with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) where I am required to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders in order to support the strategic aim of ensuring that the practices of drivers, vehicle operators and responsible parties in the road transport and logistics supply chain lead to improved compliance, asset protection and safer roads.

This involves consulting and liaising with customers, investigators and industry professionals regarding the review of penalties for non-compliance of road transport legislation by some sectors of the road transport industry. Non-compliance issues, often significantly embedded in the road transport industry, can include speeding, speed limiter tampering, vehicle standards, driver fatigue, and load restraint requirements. Due to the fact that I have extensive experience in the trucking industry and am in possession of a truck licence, I find that I am able to easily develop rapport and communicate with customers who are in receipt of an alleged offence. Often the circumstances that have led to the offence have stemmed from lack of education and/or knowledge of legislative requirements. Taking this into consideration during my decision-making process, I am diligent about communicating substantial reasoning as to why an offence has occurred in a drive to continue to improve compliance. Demonstrating my commitment to this, in line with Roads and Maritime Services’ customer-focused vision and placing the customer at the centre of everything we do, I worked on modifying the letter templates that communicates information regarding decisions made on representations. Prior to my implementation of the updated format, the information that was included was confusing for customers which in turn, resulted in high numbers of phone calls to the Branch with customers asking for clarification. The new letter now includes tangible information that is specifically tailored for each individual response and clearly communicates to customers how they can take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with mass, load restraint, dimension and other obligations to avoided future issues.

The strong relationships that I have developed with investigators within RMS have facilitated my ability to effectively and thoroughly carry out review processes. This has been a result of my effective communication skills and showing a genuine interest in the work that they undertake and their resulting decisions. Open communication has promoted collaboration and unity between myself and the investigators by allowing communication channels that enable all parties to discuss viewpoints relating to a variety of matters. This played an imperative role when I developed and introduced a communication feedback sheet which is now used to elicit pertinent information from inspectors as evidence toward my reviews. As a result of our already strong communication channels, the investigators took on board my suggestions and could appreciate the benefits of the new feedback sheet. The implementation of this sheet has resulted in a five-day turnaround for information requests, as opposed to the 21-day turnaround that was previously experienced.

A thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant Acts, Regulations and other applicable legislation administered by RMS

Having worked for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for over 18 months, I have developed a thorough knowledge and understanding of the relevant Acts, Regulations and other applicable legislation administered by RMS. All decisions that I make regarding the review of penalty, infringement and breach notices are governed under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which establishes the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (the Regulator) and a single national system of laws for heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes GVM. The regulatory framework under the HVNL prescribes requirements regarding the standards heavy vehicles must meet before they can use our roads, the maximum permissible mass and dimensions of heavy vehicles, securing and restraining loads on heavy vehicles, ensuring parties in the chain of responsibility are held responsible for drivers of heavy vehicles exceeding speed limits, preventing drivers of heavy vehicles from driving while impaired by fatigue, and nationally consistent penalties. I refer to, interpret and apply these documents on a daily basis and also provide advice to others based on my research and interpretation. Having worked with a wide variety of Acts, Regulations and legislations throughout my career, I am quick to learn and able to transfer my skills in interpretation to new and unfamiliar documents when necessary.

My knowledge and understanding of the relevant Acts and Regulations under the HVNL supports my decisions regarding reviews, whilst at the same time enables me to clearly educate and inform customers who have offended or breached requirements. For example, I recently received a representation regarding a customer who had received a notice stating that his log carrying truck was over-wide, subsequent to being assessed at an automatic Heavy Vehicle Safety Station (HVSS) in accordance to the prescribed dimension requirements for heavy vehicles set out under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation 2013. The customer and his employer were confused as they had assumed that they had followed all guidelines and regulations for their Class 1 heavy vehicle access permit as issued by the NHVR, and that they had taken all reasonable steps to prevent breaches of road transport laws under the Chain of Responsibilities Legislation. During my review and analysis of photographs that were provided of the truck, I identified that the issue had occurred due to a bent stanchion on the truck that had resulted in a reading that deemed the load to be too wide. Successive to presenting my findings in support of the issued fine, utilising my knowledge of the legislations and regulations I took the time to write to the driver and his employer to clearly explain how the issue occurred. Appreciating my explanation and the fact that it was in understandable terms, the employer paid the fine and arranged to fix the stanchion to prevent further occurrences of the issue.

Moreover, my thorough knowledge and understanding of relevant Acts, Regulations and other applicable legislation administered by RMS played an integral role in settling a dispute between a driver and inspectors regarding an indivisible item load. The inspectors had issued a breach notice due to the fact that they had determined the driver had breached the condition of his permit as they believed that the combination of the goods being transported caused the dimension limit to be exceeded. As a result of the breach notice, the driver was unable to continue with transporting the goods and contacted me in dispute of the notice. Utilising my knowledge of Class 1 Permits and their associated mass limits set out in Schedule 1 of the Road Transport (Mass, Loading and Access) Regulation 2005, I determined that the driver was not in breach of the permit and was in fact carrying an indivisible item. As a result, the fine was withdrawn and the driver was able to recommence his transportation journey.

Demonstrated ability to conduct compliance and enforcement activities associated with regulating industries and commercial entities

As a Review Officer with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), I view my position as a proactive role in educating and influencing customers at a strategic level, in addition to addressing issues as they occur. This includes liaising closely with and educating customers, including regulating industries and commercial entities in order to change the culture within the transport industry from reactive responses to proactive behaviours. Through providing timely and clear explanations of the decisions that I make relating to the reviews of penalty, infringement and breach notices, I have contributed to the mitigation of risk, the prevention of breaches of legislations, in addition to enabling customers to address issues early. In doing so, I ensure to refer to the appropriate legislation, whilst remaining careful to present the related information in a meaningful way, highlighting the features and benefits of the recommended course of action, rather than merely quoting policy and legislation. I find that by drawing alongside customers and taking partial ownership of their education relating to their problem or issue, I am able to influence them more successfully and at a more strategic level than if I were to just provide them with a list of rules.

Dedicated to assisting industry operators and drivers to understand their compliance and obligations, I ensure that I not only provide reasons for the issuance of certain notices, but additionally provide them with advice as to how they can avoid future occurrences. For example, subsequent to an instance of a driver of a refrigerated truck in breach of the Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Notice 2014, I provided advice on certain ways that he could ensure the truck was loaded so as to avoid overloading. This included placing empty pallets at the very front of the truck so that goods would not be loaded there and therefore an even distribution could be ensured that adhered to load limits. My experience with RMS has heightened my awareness of the importance of conducting compliance and enforcement activities through intercepting and inspecting heavy vehicles which may be operating illegally or in an unsafe manner on New South Wales roads and which therefore pose significant risk to road users, the road infrastructure and the environment. Experience gained throughout my career in conducting a wide variety of compliance and enforcement activities has provided me with strong transferrable skills that will facilitate my ability to correctly issue enforcement documentation to drive compliance to relevant Acts and Regulations from state and federal jurisdictions, including Road Transport Law, the Passenger Transport Act 1990, the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001, and the New South Wales Evidence Act 1995.

This includes experience in conducting compliance and enforcement activities associated with regulating industries and commercial entities gained during my employment at Centrelink where I worked closely with harvesting regulatory agencies. Within this role, I found that seasonal harvest workers were consistently subjected to discrepancies in pay rates which in turn, affected the customer’s Centrelink benefit rates. In order to avoid the occurrence of this, I worked in collaboration with the Harvest Labour Services and the National Harvest Labour Information Service in order to support the requirements of workers in the industry who were also recipients of Centrelink benefits. This enabled me to promote and enforce the payment of wages by employers according to appropriate award levels to ensure that all Centrelink customers were paid correctly. Additionally, I was required to enforce certain best practice recommendations and mandatory conditions such as indicating the salary range or hourly rate if wages were to be negotiated, and stating the rate of commission and retainer if the salary was partly or wholly commission-based.

Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills, and a proven ability to analyse and manage information, including information from informants

Possessing highly developed judgement, initiative, analytical and investigative skills, I have the ability to analyse, manage and assess information, including information from informants in order to make informed and accurate decisions. These skills are clearly demonstrated within my current role at Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). As a Review Officer, I regularly have multiple reviews running at the same time regarding a wide variety of issues. When investigating the reviews, I use a variety of research methods to evaluate the situation, including research and analysis of relevant legislations, examination of similar breaches and notices, in addition to scrutiny of individual permit terms and regulations. Additionally, I consider all information provided by inspectors, as well as the viewpoint of the customer in question. Prior to reaching a determination, I ensure that I have gathered as much information as possible, whilst maintaining a holistic view of the issue through analysing the relationship between all facts. In all of my reviews, I demonstrate the ability to diagnose and analyse each situation and develop an individual conclusion for each case. In many instances this has required me to look beyond the present situation and think outside the box in an abstract manner, which I have done successfully. This then enables me to provide sound advice and recommendations to each customer.

Moreover, I use my analytical and conceptual skills daily in the planning and organising of my workload in my section, including coordinating investigation processes in relation to reviews and developing processes and procedures to ensure increased operational efficiency. Within my current role, I have achieved a record of accomplishment for developing systems and procedures that facilitate resolutions of complex customer issues and needs. Often, I have been relied upon for my proactive and innovative process improvements, which have afforded me the ability to exceed the service expectations of all internal and external customers and as such, achieve desired results for all stakeholders. This has included designing and implementing a database for tracking incoming representations that come through the Enforcement Review, Prosecutions Branch, resulting in faster responses and more efficient reporting functions. An additional internal process that has enhanced operational efficiency has been my introduction of a checklist for court attendance brief packs. As a result of its implementation, staff members are now able to ensure that all evidence and other relevant documentation are available in the pack, thus ensuring consistency and ease of data retrieval for the prosecutors who receive them.

Whilst serving with the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, my analytical and problem solving skills were demonstrated extensively. It was during this time that I ran a nine-month drink driving program in which I was tasked to reduced instances of driving under the influence and alcohol-related injuries in Darwin. With at least one serious alcohol-related injury  per month, I was required to investigate and analyse information as to why there was such a high number of occurrences. Through gathering information from a number of informants and analysing the statistics recorded from the incidents, I was able to come to a conclusion that the issue stemmed from military personnel pre-drinking at the barracks and then making the decision to drive 20km to town to continue to drink. The information that I gathered enabled me to design and implement a breathalyser and education program that resulted in reducing to zero, the number of alcohol-related incidents during the nine months that I ran it.

Demonstrated ability to show initiative, tact, and confidentiality and work independently and as part of a team

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience working within environments that have required adherence to matters of strict confidentially and compliance to specific rules and regulations. As such, I have consistently upheld high ethical standards in my work and treat seriously my responsibility to maintain confidentiality and discretion in all matters. Whilst working for Centrelink, I was exposed to a great deal of privileged and confidential information, including access to personal details such as addresses, bank account information and tax file accounts. During this time my approach to privacy, including handling practices of personal information in relation to the payments and services Centrelink delivered, was based on Centrelink’s Privacy Policy under Australian Privacy Principle One as set out in a Schedule to the Privacy Act 1988. Within all of the roles that I have held throughout my career, I have clearly understood the reasons for and implications of not adhering to strict confidentiality and with all information that I am privy to, I constantly use tact and discretion. I work in such a way that promotes integrity by adhering to strict ethical principles and maintaining high levels of professionalism. This includes standing up against what I believe is wrong and endeavouring to ensure that all stakeholders are treated with respect and courtesy. In various instances throughout my career, I have successfully managed situations in work practise were confidentiality has been challenged and as such, have demonstrated my ability to stand my ground and efficiently rectify the situation. As a professional with a commitment to ethical standards, tact and confidentiality, I always ensure to maintain appropriate confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest and advice on the avoidance of conflict of interest.

Within my current role with Roads and Maritime Services, I work effectively as an independent member of a team of four within the Enforcement Review, Prosecutions Branch. As a Review Officer, I demonstrate a passion for consistently meeting at or above the desired level of results and consistently show a commitment to continuous improvement, whilst maintaining focus, integrity and drive. This has been demonstrated through the considerable amounts of time that I have spent working on the refinement, development and implementation of improvements in order to increase efficiency and the provision of quality services for the team. Included in my improvements has been the creation of a dedicated tracking sheet for incoming reviews, changing a letter template to ensure clarity of information provided to customers, as well as developing and implementing a feedback sheet which has contributed to the reduction of turnaround time for information retrieval. Recently, I have also devised a method of combining the templates of two separate forms in order to reduce the time it takes to enter information. While this was a simple change, my team have been appreciative of the efficiency it has created.

Moreover, my ability to work independently as part of a team was demonstrated during my time with the Australian Defence Force, where I took initiative for leading the writing and introduction of new administrative and logistical procedures and processes for two military police platoon relocations. These standard operating procedures insured that all preparations would be put in place in order for the relocation to proceed smoothly, whilst ensuring that all required tasks were completed. Additionally within this role, I contributed my expertise to writing, field testing and introducing a Tactical Aide Memoir and Standard Operating Procedures that formed the basis of the Military Police doctrine. As a result of my contributions and collaborative efforts, I received recognition through the award of an Australia Day Medallion for displaying exceptional diligence in the performance of my duties.

Computer literacy skills in word processing, spreadsheet and database software

 My computer skills are of an excellent standard and I possess noteworthy experience in using a wide variety of applications, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software. Throughout my career, I have been regarded as organised and skilled when it comes to my word processing abilities, and I have demonstrated my capabilities in coordinating and supporting daily operational and administrative functions within a variety of busy environments. In my current role with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), my word processing skills are utilised numerous times on a daily basis through the writing of review reports and letters to customers explaining key decisions and technical details that have been made regarding a variety of compliance issues, in addition to data entry. I am motivated to utilise my versatile administrative and technology skills to impact organisational success and customer satisfaction, as demonstrated through the numerous word processing improvements that I have introduced to the Enforcement Review, Prosecutions Branch. As such, I have been recognised for my ability to quickly learn and utilise new applications in order to support improved efficiency, accuracy, and productivity levels.

Whilst working for the Northern Territory Government, I completed intermediate training in Microsoft Excel, thus enhancing my skills in the use of spreadsheets. As a Review Officer with RMS, I use Microsoft Excel as a means of managing, assigning and tracking workload, in addition to extracting statistics and trends. My skills are of a high level in analysing, interpreting and organising this data, and I have been instrumental in introducing new processes to increase operational efficiency. This has included setting-up standard functions to record and extract data, as well as developing custom queries to extract specific data for particular requests, and has often been used by the management team for reporting purposes.

Additionally, during my time with RMS, I have demonstrated my competency in using a variety of database software applications, including

• NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle ad Driver Information System) to extract nation-wide information regarding drivers and vehicles. This includes information from the national Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) database and the national Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) database.
• Case to Court Management Systems to undertake case and prosecution functions, including management of case information from detection of breaches of the law to court attendance and court outcome capturing.
• DRIVES (Driver and Vehicle System) to extract state-wide driver and vehicle registration details.
• VRMIS to extract information entered by investigators to support the review process.

Confident and comfortable in the use of these database software applications, I utilise them on a daily basis in order to successfully and efficiently fulfil my duties and responsibilities as Review Officer. Furthermore, I am a competent user of the Internet and have extensive experience in using a variety of Internet search engines for research and clarification purposes. Having worked with a number of computer applications throughout my career, including word processing, spreadsheet and database software, I am familiar with learning new programs and I have demonstrated my ability to efficiently integrate them into my daily routine. I am confident in my computer literacy skills and I am eager to learn and implement new systems as I move forward in my