Storm - Compliance Response Officer
Sea change: How Storm Clark navigated troubled waters to create an incredible new career at Redland City Council
Imagine starting and finishing your work day gliding across the sparkling blue waters of Moreton Bay. Storm doesn’t have to imagine - it’s her reality! Like any career that improves a community, Storm’s work as our Compliance Response Officer isn’t always smooth sailing. But Storm relishes the challenge and has found a work-life balance that brings out her best.
Riding the wave of success
When we catch up with Storm, she’s on a double-decker barge en route to North Stradbroke Island. The air is crisp, the sky a flawless blue, and there’s coffee brewing in the upstairs cafe. In other words, it’s a typical morning for our Compliance Response Officer!
“It takes 45 minutes to get from the mainland to Straddie,” Storm says. “I use that time to catch up on my note-taking and make phone calls. I do feel lucky - it’s a very picturesque view.”
Unlike the visitors who flock to Straddie each week, Storm isn’t heading there for a holiday. She’s about to do what she does every day: make a positive difference in the island’s community. Storm and her team investigate complaints and infringements, including damage to council land, parking-related matters, and animal management.
“We look at what we do from a whole-picture perspective: we work for the people. And we get really positive feedback. It’s all about providing great customer service, building relationships and educating people so they can enjoy where they live.”
Striking a balance
Storm’s 20-year career in sales and retail came to an abrupt halt in early 2020, when the travel store she managed was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Storm took her future into her own hands, and in November 2020, successfully applied for a role as a Local Law Officer at Redland City Council (RCC).
Storm rose to the challenge of re-skilling, and quickly identified a new career goal: joining our Compliance team.
“I made that known to my leaders, who supported me in getting there. I did a secondment in Animal Management, and when the position of Compliance Response Officer came up, I applied and was successful. It just shows that when you have conversations with your leaders about your goals, they’ll back you.”
As Storm has proactively shaped her career at Redland City Council, she’s discovered a work-life balance she never knew existed. Working 60 to 70-hour weeks had been the norm at her travel store. Storm invests the nowavailable precious extra hours into what’s truly important: her health and family.
“I go to the gym with my daughter and son, and we run together, too. It’s really special being able to do those things with my kids. RCC has been the best thing for my work-life balance.”
Your opportunity to achieve
Storm looks forward to growing in her role and one day taking on a Team Leader position. For now, she’s focused on building her close-knit, collaborative Compliance team.
“There are so many opportunities to step up here. You just have to be adaptable and flexible, and be willing to help your team. We've all got different roles, but we’re always happy to help each other.”