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Consultant Focus: Meet Paul Cullen
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Consultant Focus: Meet Paul Cullen
11 months ago By Emily Harris
Within the Public Sector, there are many different departments and divisions that require very specific knowledge and skills. Which is why at Public Sector People we have a number of consultants who specialise on recruiting for these particular areas- whether Finance and HR or Construction and Engineering. By focusing on one or two disciplines, our consultants can absorb and develop an extensive knowledge on the market and know what organisations are looking for when hiring new talent. Our consultants can then utilise this knowledge to ensure their candidates have the best and most-up-to-date information when applying for roles as well as guiding them to roles that will best match their needs.
One of our key consultants for the Construction and Engineering space in Sydney is Paul Cullen. We’ve provided a little more information on what Paul does at Public Sector People below; how he manages the recruitment process, the relationships he builds with both clients and candidates and the current roles he has available.
Can you explain your role at Public Sector People?
I am a full 360 consultant, working across local governments in NSW.
What are the types of positions you recruit for?
While I work across a lot of industries my focus is technical roles. These can be Project Manager roles within both the construction and engineering space. Some of the roles I have recently placed in the engineering space would be design, drainage, traffic, assets and development.
Within engineering and construction, what are the key skills and capabilities you look for on a resume?
A lot of councils I work with will specify the software skills and experience a successful candidate must have- especially for contract work - so that they can easily transition into a role, so having software experience for a candidate is invaluable. Obviously, for project manager roles I recruit for, the more project experience a candidate can demonstrate - especially multidisciplinary projects- the better.
You’ve built some lasting relationships with both clients and candidates while at Public Sector People. Can you explain the key to maintaining and strengthening these connections?
I think the best way to build trust with your clients is through transparency and honesty. I always try and be honest with both my clients and candidates in regard to feedback, rejections or any job or market updates. I think it’s also important to get back to people regularly so they feel they can rely and depend on you. Finally, being able to check in with your clients and candidates, ask how they are, how their day’s been and showing a general interest demonstrates a level of care that I think people appreciate and can help foster stronger connections.
What commitment will you make to the active job seekers you choose to work with?
For my candidates, I will always have their best interests at heart and do right by them. I try to demonstrate this through letting them know of all suitable opportunities which might be of interest to them and assisting them to the best of my ability to secure the right role for them This will include providing tips and checking in with them before each interview, helping to format their resumes and providing general market advice.
How do you conduct the aftercare process in the roles you recruit for?
It’s important to ensure that the candidates you’ve placed are happy in their new role, as starting a new job can be a daunting process. I like to regularly check in with my candidates every few weeks after they start their role to make sure they are happy, they are enjoying working in the team and the workload is manageable. If the client is going well, I might extend these check-ins to every few months and if the candidate flags anything negative, I can identify these issues as they arise and act as a facilitator to both the candidate and the client to negotiate a best outcome for both parties.
Paul’s Current Opportunities
Project Engineer
Location: Sydney
Contract Type: Contract
Job Summary: A local council is looking for a Project Engineer to work with their Infrastructure Projects Engineer, Works Manager and Roads Work Crew in implementing operations, maintenance and renewal strategies and works programs for council’s road infrastructure assets.
Click here for more information
Design Engineer
Location: Sydney
Contract Type: Contract
Job Summary: A local Sydney government’s City Infrastructure and Traffic Operations (CITO) Unit is looking for a Design Engineer to join their team on a 12-month basis to provide technical, operational and business support to the unit’s core responsibilities.
Click here for more information
Contact Us
To Find out more about any of the roles listed above, or to reach out to Paul for a confidential chat about the job market within the public sector and his upcoming opportunities within the NSW construction and engineering space, you can contact him at:
Email: paul@publicsectorpeople.com.au
Phone: 0403 242 600
Linkedin: Click here
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Paul Cullen's Job
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Project Manager - Major Tree Planting
SydneyAbout the role: The primary purpose of the Project Manager - Tree Planting is to improve the quantity and quality of the City’s urban forest and to maximise the benefits they provide the community. The Project Manager is responsible for the coordination of the City’s street and park tree planting program, ensuring effective work systems and procedures that delivers high quality public trees. The position also assists to manage tree contracts and operations, stakeholder consultation, and overall project management to achieve strategic objectives, governance requirements, customer expectations and industry best practice approaches. Key Responsibilities: Provide expert technical advice in relation to tree planting projects, young tree management and broader urban forestry principles to City staff, internal and external stakeholders and community to ensure the best tree management outcomes are achieved. Develop, oversee and manage the planting program using best practice contract and asset management principles. Ensure the program is delivered within the constraints of adopted time frames and budgets. Ensure service provider compliance with specifications through appropriate controls and effective performance management and ensure outcomes are monitored and measured. Contribute to planning, implementation, and delivery of the tree management and urban forest program of the City’s strategies, policies and plans to ensure new tree assets are well planted, maintained, and managed to maximise the benefits that canopy cover provides to the community, and meeting performance targets and standards. Develop technical investigations, procedures and other service delivery arrangements for young tree assets and operations. Ensure quality service delivery and value for money. Deliver a high standard of customer service through establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships, provision of advice, consultation with and sharing of information with internal and external stakeholders. Key Skills: Tertiary qualifications or currently studying for an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF Level 5) Diploma in Arboriculture, or equivalent demonstrated industry experience with a minimum AQF Level 4 horticultural or landscape design qualification. Demonstrated comprehensive understanding and experience in tree supply, young tree health and establishment assessment, planting operations, conflicts with infrastructure, and operational WHS requirements. Demonstrated experience and/or comprehensive understanding in developing, implementing and monitoring tree planting programs and contracts that respond to customer expectations, provide value for money and achieve corporate objectives. If you meet the above criteria and are looking for your next contract opportunity please apply via the appropriate link with a CV attached. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity please contact Paul Cullen on 0403 242 600
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Project Manager - Services
SydneyAbout the role: Our local government client is looking to add to the team a Project Manager with a background and experience in the design and construction of mechanical, lifts, electrical, fire and hydraulic services works. The Project Manager whilst experienced in construction services must be capable of project managing the whole project which could also include building, engineering, and landscape components. The Project Manager will be required to provide advice and support to other Project Managers which have services components. Key Responsibilities: Manage the day to day implementation of multiple and complex capital works projects including: The assessment of risks and support in the preparation of mitigation plans The preparation of Project Plans and preparation of tender documentation The administering of contracts, including evaluation of progress claims, variation claims, extension of time claims, and performance monitoring; Investigation of compliance conditions with all relevant authorities to avoid any delays to projects; Inspect works in the field to ensure that the desired intentions and quality are being achieved. Liaise with the consultants and contractors Prepare and issue timely documentation to enable proactive project reviews, including preparation of regular cost reports, project status updates, construction photographs and compliance reporting; Apply and uphold to a high level the project management and governance process; Positively contribute to a collaborative work environment offering ideas to continuously improve. Deliver a high standard of customer service through consultation and sharing of information with all levels of staff across all divisions of Council. If you meet the above criteria and are looking for your next contract opportunity please apply via the appropriate link with a CV attached. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity please contact Paul Cullen on 0403 242 600