What's your job about?
Steadfast Risk Services help insurance brokers and underwriters identify, understand, manage, control risks and advise on different remediation options. It is my role as a consulting engineer to undertake property inspections to identify and report on potential risks. My job is to review the properties compliance with necessary laws and standards (e.g. Australian Standards, building standards etc.) and raise recommendations to the clients that will assist in reducing the potential risk exposures, while improving they operational performance where possible. My role as a risk engineer consists of weekly travel, both locally and across Australia, to review the locations and write reports for different audiences including the insurance and direct clients. Working with Steadfast Risk Services has allowed me to travel across Australia and experience different industries (e.g., mining, agriculture, hospitality etc.).
What's your background?
I grew up in the south-eastern suburbs of Sydney and completed the HSC at my local Public School. From High School I enrolled at the University of Technology Sydney to complete a Bachelor of Science, majoring in applied physics. After two years, I decided to also complete a civil engineering degree, allowing me to expand my career options. Studying both science and engineering allowed me to develop my technical skills from a theoretical and practical point of view. Whilst studying, I undertook a cadetship with a Sydney construction company to get firsthand experience and complete the required internship hours for my degree. This is where I was able to learn management skills and professional practices in the construction industry. After completing my studies, I applied for a range of engineering jobs. With different offers available, I selected a job that would I enjoy and provide a great career option; then accepting an offer from Steadfast Risk Services.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Being accredited with an engineering degree is required to be a risk engineer; however, the degrees can be from many engineering disciplines (civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical etc.). The typical skills required to undertake this job include good communications skills with both brokers and clients, a good understanding of laws and Australian Standards and a sound ability to undertake report writing.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The most enjoyable thing about my job is communicating with a range of people from different industries and learning about their businesses and processes. The role allows for travel across the country, including regional and metropolitan locations; allowing myself to see parts of the country that I would not otherwise see in an office-centric role. The rewarding aspect of this job is being able to help the clients to identify current work practices, to ensure we create a safer and compliant work environment at their location.
What’s the coolest thing about working for Steadfast?
The best thing about working at Steadfast is the diversity of people, culture and skills operating as one team. The network that is available to me as an engineer stems across all aspects of the business, allowing me to learn more about engineering, compliance and insurance.
What are the limitations of your job?
The limitations that come with being a risk engineer is the constant travelling, both locally and interstate. Although the rewards of constant travel might sound enticing, this role involves fast-paced travel between sites, scheduling accommodation, flights and long drives. Scheduling times for site inspections may result in early starts and or weekend flights.
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