The Leading Hand Trades (LHT) will be an experienced tradesperson who will assist in the co-ordination, management and scheduling of either construction and/or operational & maintenance of station infrastructure.
The Station trades team consists of a core group of electricians, plumbers and carpenters. Other specialist tradespeople such as boilermakers/welders, fitter & turners, refrigeration mechanics, etc. are recruited each season depending on work requirements.
The Leading Hand Trades (LHT) must fill one of these hands-on trade roles concurrent with undertaking LHT duties. As LHT you will spend most of your time carrying out your specific trade role (80-90%) as an active part of the trades team, with a short time each week dedicated to the support supervisory role.
LHTs are typically employed at Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island stations.
Important Note: You must also apply for and be found suitable in your trade (carpenter, electrician, plumber, boilermaker/welder, etc.). If you do not complete an application for your trade, your application for LHT will not be assessed.
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 (while in Australia) is $85,876 per annum ($3,292 per fortnight before tax).
- Additional allowances totalling $65,341 per annum are payable while working in Antarctica.
- 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.
Contact
For general enquiries, please use our contact form to speak to the Expeditioner Resourcing team.
For job specific (technical or trade related) enquiries, or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact the technical supervisor Glenn Blackwell via email glenn.blackwell@aad.gov.au.
Eligibility
You must be an Australian citizen, Australian resident with work rights in Australia, or a New Zealand citizen. Please note: Jobs requiring a security clearance are only open to Australian citizens. Applications from persons who are not Australian citizens will usually only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants.
To apply for this role you must have the skills and licences listed below.
Be found suitable for a relevant trade job with Australia’s Antarctic Program (carpenter, electrician, plumber, boilermaker/welder, rigger, and/or fitter and turner).
Qualifications/licences (provide copies in your application):
- A suitable trade qualification such as carpenter, electrician, plumber, boilermaker/welder, rigger, and/or fitter and turner.
- A current, unrestricted "C" class (manual) Australian driver's licence.
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Leading, supervising and working as a member of a multi-disciplined trade team.
- Undertaking work in your relevant trade (carpenter, electrician, plumber, boiler maker/welder, etc).
