Organisation: Rockhampton Regional Council
Job Title: Plant Operator/Labourer
Word Limit: Two Pages
Location: Rockhampton
Please detail your abilities and personal qualities that you feel are relevant to this position
Possessing a diverse work history in a wide range of industries, I have gained considerable
experience in the operation and maintenance of plant. One of the key positions in which I gained
relevant experience was a three-year tenure as a Driver / Plant and Machinery Operator in the
Civil Construction industry with Clyde Construction. In this role I was engaged on civil construction
sites, primarily undertaking truck driving and plant operation. My tasks included semi tipping,
truck and dog tipping, operation of excavators for bulk earthworks and sand extraction, tilt bucket
operation and final trimming, and operation of dozers, bobcats, rollers and front-end loaders for a
range of civil construction tasks.
Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in plant maintenance. In my role at
Clyde Construction for example, on days where I was not required to drive, I undertook repairs
and scheduled maintenance activities on the full range of plant and machinery. Having worked for
14 years in a family-owned sawmilling operation, I have been responsible for ongoing
maintenance, repairs and servicing for a wide range of equipment and developed a strong
knowledge of mechanical operations. As a result of my extensive work experience, I am
competent and confident in working with mechanical equipment and vehicles and with
undertaking repairs and maintenance on motors both small and large.
In a previous role as a Plant Operator with Rockhampton Regional Council, I operated a backhoe
working on highways and creating drainage on gravel roads. In that role I also worked as a truck
operator and operated the Council crusher to produce maintenance gravel. As Foreman at peak
Hill Quarry for Gary Anderson Earthmoving, I supervised all production activities, including the
crushing of material for road base and bitumen. This provided me with an understanding of the
process and materials used to complete civil construction activities. That knowledge has been
further contributed to through roles such as that with Clyde Construction where I performed
tipping for the paving crew to complete kerbing and channelling.
I am a reliable and committed employee with a strong work ethic, and am willing to ‘get my hands
dirty’ and contribute in any way in order to get the job done. In addition, I work well with others
and can be relied upon to be a strong contributor to a team environment. Throughout my work
history I have demonstrated a capacity to communicate well with a wide range of people and build
strong and productive workplace relationships.
Please outline any experience you have in relation to operating a Roller within a Civil
Construction environment
In my previous roles with both Rockhampton Regional Council and Clyde Construction, I regularly
operated a roller for civil construction projects such as highways and gravel roads. Other plant
and machinery with which I have gained experience from various previous roles include wheel
loaders, forklifts, truck-mounted Hiab cranes, semi tipping, truck and dog tipping, operation of
excavators for bulk earthworks and sand extraction, tilt bucket operation and final trimming, and
operation of dozers, bobcats and front-end loaders for a range of civil construction tasks.
Teamwork is essential in this role. What skills do you have to promote effective teamwork?
Having worked in such diverse organisations, with teams both small and large over a long career, I
have demonstrated the ability to work harmoniously and productively with a wide range of
individuals and teams. My strong communication and interpersonal skills are integral to my
capacity to work effectively in team environments. I use clear verbal communication, and roles
such as my position with Clyde Construction, required the use of two-way radios for
communication between staff, meaning I am experienced and capable in the use of two ways in
civil construction environments. In my approach to my work I am professional and practical, and as
an effective team member am always willing to pitch in to complete the work that needs doing.
Having held various management positions over the course of my career, I have always made a
point of never asking someone else to do a task that I would not do myself, and I am happy to
pitch in as required to meet team objectives. Previous roles where I have been responsible for
overseeing the filling of customer orders have demonstrated my customer-focused approach to
my work.
What are your Workplace, Health and Safety responsibilities when working on a jobsite and/or
around Council depots?
In all work roles, I take my responsibilities very seriously to ensure the safety of myself and others,
and to perform all work in accordance with safe working instructions, processes and procedures.
Having devoted many years of my career to management roles within my family’s sawmilling
business, I possess a thorough understanding of workplace health and safety obligations and
practices in high-risk environments. As Mill Manager, I developed and implemented safe working
procedures and risk assessment processes and monitored the mill’s operations to ensure that safe
work practices were followed. As Foreman of the quarry crushing plant, I was responsible for the
safety of employees and visitors to the site. All visitors were required to report to me for a safety
briefing upon entering the site, and I conducted workplace safety inductions for new quarry
employees. In this role I was also responsible for developing and implementing safe work
procedures and ensuring compliance.
One of the key safety responsibilities on a job site is to conduct risk assessments where required,
prior to performing a task. In operating machinery, I observe a practice of always conducting a
safety check prior to operating the vehicle, plant or equipment. During my role at Clyde
Construction, I observed that the requirements of the vehicle safety check procedure were not
practical for the drivers to follow on early shifts, so I reviewed and redeveloped this procedure in a
way that ensured that following the policy was achievable and practical, ensuring a higher
compliance rate. I am committed in all of my work practices to conducting my work in a manner
that is safe for me and for those around me.
