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.

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 expedition ESS role typically involves approximately 2 months of pre-departure training in Hobart, followed by 5 to 12 months stationed in Antarctica or on Macquarie Island. The predeparture training period includes position specific briefings on work priorities, the computerised maintenance management system, and general Antarctic training requirements.

As the ESS, you will also be part of the station leadership team and will be expected to demonstrate attributes that align with an AAD leadership role.

The Australian Antarctic Program’s (AAP) vision is to ensure Antarctica is valued, protected and understood. Working with the AAP provides a unique opportunity to experience Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, while supporting world-leading science.

The AAP aims to support expeditioner growth, professionally and personally, with a focus on wellbeing. We strive to employ versatile, proactive and community minded people. Expeditioners will need to contribute to a small team and be resilient as they face the challenges of living in an isolated environment.

For more detailed information about the requirements of the role and the selection process, please see the job description document and link to more information on the application process below.

Employment conditions

• The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $112,089 per annum.
• Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $180,043 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.

What we are looking for

Essential

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, APS 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 AAD commencement.
• Provide CPR (HLTAID009) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of AAD commencement.

Knowledge and experience

• Direct leadership and supervision of onsite maintenance and/or construction activities 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. To be suitable you do not need any of these, but they may make you more competitive against other applicants.

Qualifications/licences

Provide copies in your application:

• Other training, courses or qualifications relevant to supervisory or managerial roles in the industry.

Knowledge and 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

Other requirements

As a proactive and positive member of the community you will:

• Maintain a personal and practical commitment to AAD policies and standard operating procedures (including work, health and safety and environmental policies). Training and guidance in regard to all responsibilities relevant to your position will be provided.
• Be rostered to perform duties to support the community life of the expedition, such as general kitchen duties, garbage clearance, general cleaning duties, and assisting other expedition members with official programs, to ensure an equitable contribution.
• Work in areas outside of your primary role, for example, aiding other areas or science projects, or participating in general labouring tasks such as clearing snow or handling cargo.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the AAD, we value diversity in all its forms – background, experience, and perspective. We recognise the challenges that come with our work and are committed to fostering an inclusive culture for all. We encourage applications from everyone, especially people from under-represented groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, gender-diverse people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Personal qualities

During the recruitment selection process the AAD assesses individual personal qualities expeditioners need to successfully live and work in an isolated Antarctic/sub-Antarctic community. 

Covid-19

Expeditioners must comply with the AAD’s Infectious Respiratory Disease Management Plan, including the requirement to have had a COVID-19 vaccination or a medically documented COVID-19 infection, within 12 months of deployment. More information is available.

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 Lisa Wilkinson at aadinfrastructure@aad.gov.au.

Applications will not be accepted via email.

How to apply

1. Read about the application process and life as an expeditioner. This is an overview of the recruitment and selection process.
2. 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.
3. Have your documents ready to attach (e.g., licences, qualifications and current CV/résumé). You must include these to be considered for the job.
4. When you have completed steps 1 to 3 above, click ‘Apply Now’✱ to start your application. Applications will not be accepted via email.