- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $116,348 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $186,885 per annum.
- A generous employer superannuation contribution of up to 15.4% will be paid in addition to salary and allowances.
- You will accrue recreation leave at the equivalent of 20 days per annum pro rata. Please note that recreation leave is not available in Antarctica but will be paid out on return to Australia.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) employs a number of Trades Supervisors to manage the delivery of infrastructure works and supervise the safe undertaking of all on-site activities carried out by our trades teams over the Antarctic "summer" and/or "winter" period. Trades supervisors are supported by a team of trades people, project managers and engineers and administrative staff within the Antarctic Infrastructure group at the Division’s head office.
The Station trades team are typically engaged in all operational aspects of the station buildings and infrastructure, including power generation, water production and supply, wastewater treatment, station heating. The trades team also undertakes minor new works and larger capital building projects, both new constructions and renewal.
As a Station Trades Supervisor, you will oversee the station's scheduled preventive maintenance program while also managing trade response to breakdowns and corrective maintenance as they occur. Typically, most outdoor maintenance tasks, refurbishment projects, and new construction works are carried out during the summer months (October to March), when conditions are more favourable. Balancing these planned activities with unscheduled repairs will require careful coordination and adaptability.
An Antarctic station operates with limited trades personnel, equipment, materials, and resources, often requiring careful management of competing priorities. In addition to supporting scientific research and general station operations, the weather can pose additional challenges to the work schedule. Your responsibility will be to coordinate the daily tasks of the trades team, considering the forecasted weather and availability of equipment and resources, to ensure the works program is met while addressing the broader needs of the station.
The Station Trades Supervisor role typically involves approximately two months of pre-departure training in Hobart, followed by five to twelve months stationed in Antarctica or on Macquarie Island. The pre-departure training period includes position specific briefings on work priorities, the computerised maintenance management system, and general Antarctic training requirements.
As the Station Trades Supervisor, you will also be part of the station leadership team and will be expected to demonstrate attributes that align with an AAD leadership role.
What we are looking for
Essential
To apply for this role, you must have the skills and licences listed below:
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Trade or Technical Certificate – A relevant trade or technical certificate (Certificate III) and demonstrated experience or relevant engineering degree from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas institution.
- Driver’s Licence – A current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence.
- Citizenship – In accordance with the PS Act 1999, Australian Public Service employees are required to be Australian citizens. Persons who are not Australian citizens will generally only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants, with next considerations being Australian residents with work rights and New Zealand citizens.
Obtain prior to commencement:
- White Card (issued after May 2009)
- Valid Passport – The expiry date of the passport (and any relevant visa) must be at least 6 months beyond the planned end date of your intended stay in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic.
- Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
- Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
- Provide CPR (HLTAID009) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of commencement
Knowledge and experience
Recent demonstrated experience (within the last 5 years):
- Direct leadership and supervision of onsite maintenance and/or construction trades personnel in the building or general construction industry.
Required capabilities:
- Well-developed leadership skills with a proven ability to inspire and guide teams effectively.
- High level verbal and written communication skills to communicate clearly and effectively across a broad range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated planning and project management capability and knowledge of construction and upgrading of building and services.
- Technical knowledge and experience in maintenance and/or construction of buildings, structures or building services, including understanding quality control methods and assessing compliance with relevant standards and specifications.
- Proven ability to maintain appropriate work site safety procedures, including sound understanding of work health and safety standards.
- Capability across a variety of technology including computer-based maintenance management systems, project management software, and Microsoft Office suite to identify programmed maintenance requirements, and produce detailed project documentation, budgets, plans, schedules and reports.
- Current or recent experience in conducting risk assessments and job hazard analyses relating to building and construction works or maintenance.
Desirable
These are not essential to the role, however, to be suitable you will need to have at least some of these. We encourage you to apply even if you do not fit 100% of the requirements.
Qualifications/licences
Provide copies in your application:
- Other training, courses or qualifications relevant to supervisory or managerial roles in the industry.
Knowledge and experience
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Technical knowledge and experience in the maintenance and/or construction of buildings, structures or building services.
- Implementation of appropriate work site safety procedures, with a strong awareness of work health and safety standards.
- Proficiency in conducting risk assessments and job hazard analyses relating to building and construction works or maintenance.
- Experience using computer-based maintenance systems and/or construction program software.
- Assessment of site progress against an approved program, including monitoring of progress for compliance with standards and specifications, to ensure appropriate quality control.
- Production of reports, documents and summaries using spreadsheet and word processing software.
- Specification and procurement of materials related to building maintenance programs and the construction of new works.
Additional
Should your application be successful, it is useful to have some understanding of any additional licences you have. Examples of some of these are:
- Confined space
- Working Safely at Heights
- Remove non-friable asbestos
- Supervise asbestos removal
- High-Risk Work Licence
Contact
For general enquiries, please email the Hays Expeditioner Recruitment Team at antarctica@hays.com.au.
For job specific (technical or trade related) enquiries, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Infrastructure Team at aadinfrastructure@aad.gov.au.
Applications will not be accepted via email.
How to apply
- Read about the essential information for all applicants and life as an expeditioner. This is an overview of the recruitment and selection process.
- Review the job description. This describes the job and specifies essential qualifications and experience. It also tells you what documents you need to attach to your application.
- Have your documents ready to attach (e.g., licences, qualifications and current CV/résumé). You must include these to be considered for the job.
- When you have completed steps 1 to 3 above, click ‘Apply Now’✱ to start your application. Applications will not be accepted via email.
