July 1995 – September 1998: Departmental Web Manager (SITOC / EL1) 

Highlights

My duties as the Departmental Web Manager (SITOC) for PIENet / DIG (Internet and Intranet) included HTML editing and converting, desktop publishing, graphics design, java scripting, UNIX admin, contractor management, training and development, software evaluation, policy development, software and hardware configuration/trouble shooting, client liaison and pearl scripting. I liaised with Statutory Authorities in regards to their web needs and handled technical queires from people who contacted the webmaster on the department’s electronic web sites. I performed various administrative and management tasks in relation to Departmental/Portfolio wide communication, meetings and task forces. I chaired the Portfolio Web Editors Group.

I jointly managed the development and implementation of several Whole of Government ICT systems including the inaugural Australian Government Web Portal and Search Engine.

I developed extensive experience in all facets of web development including online databases, site usability, e-commerce, business analysis, web marketing, programming, design, project management, multimedia, training, communication strategies and document conversion.

Awards

• My work has been recognized nationally and internationally with awards and commendations. For example John Hilvert of ‘the Australian’ awarded a Gold Medal in the 1996 Web Olympics to PIENet, the Commonwealth Government’s first Portal Website.
• PIENet was also a finalist in the first ever Telstra Internet Awards.
• In 1997 the Department of Primary Industries and Energy presented me with an Australia Day Award for Service. 

Infrastructure

• Managed the establishment and ongoing operations of the Department’s Internet and Intranet sites, including:
  • Sun Solaris (UNIX) Development, Testing and Production environments
  • Implementation and ongoing operation within the Secure Gateway Environment (SGE) Data Centre

Security

• Software and operating system patching updates (Sun Solaris, Netscape Suite Spot Web Server, Verity Search Engine, Java, Oracle)
• Role based access control and user management (restrict administrative privileges)
• User application hardening
• Application control
• Backup and restore

Transition into Service

• Established the ICT Systems, Policies and Architecture for the Australian Government’s first departmental website.
• Managed the development of Chief Executive Instructions and Procedural Rules (Standard Operating Procedures) for a new technology area.
• Implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Service Management practices for managing User Access, New Requests, Training, Projects and Faults.

Communication

• Produced written and verbal communication for the Minister and Senior Executives, often on complex ICT matters using language appropriate for the target audience.
• Produced and disseminated relevant Policies and Best Practice on behalf of the Department to the other Commonwealth Agencies engaged on Web Publishing.
• Demonstrated leadership while representing the interests of Regional Australian stakeholders in the dissemination of Government Information within the Commonwealth.
• Providing strategic direction to a highly efficient and diverse team of 4 staff.
• Chaired the Portfolio Web Editors Group.
• Trained departmental and staff from other Australian Government agencies on Web Publishing.

Projects

• Various iterations of the corporate Internet and Intranet sites as well as Division Sites and Corporate Publications including the Rural Book
• Design and implementation of the website of the Higher Education Division (HED) within the Department of the Education and Employment (secondment)
• Delivered a new Website for each of the 16 Research & Development Corporations (including Grains, Fisheries, Rural Industries, Cotton, Forest Wood Products) that fall under the Portfolio.
• Represented Grains Research & Development Corporation whilst presenting to their stakeholders on internet futures at a Grain Grower’s Conference in Dalby Queensland.
• Architected and oversaw the build of the Cotton Research & Development Corporation ICT network in Narrabri