- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $86,147 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $156,684 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.
As a Refrigeration Mechanic with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) you will be part of the team which maintains and develops the Australian stations on the Antarctic continent and at Macquarie Island. You will install and maintain station domestic and commercial refrigeration plant as well as assisting with general maintenance and construction as required.
Refrigeration Mechanics generally work in summer jobs only, with the station location dependent on requirements. Winter jobs are occasionally available when required for a specific project.
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/Apprenticeship – or recognised equivalent as a Refrigeration Mechanic
- Australian Refrigeration Council – Current, full registration and air-conditioning licence
- Driver’s licence – 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), or the ability to attain prior to commencement
- 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 (HLTAID0011) 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
- A minimum of 3 years’ post trade experience
- Broad general experience within the refrigeration mechanic trade.
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.
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years)
- A current, unrestricted electrical worker’s licence which qualifies you to undertake electrical work in Australia
- The installation and maintenance of packaged refrigeration units for −18 degrees Celsius and +4 degrees Celsius cool rooms up 20 kW
- Maintenance of refrigeration systems for temperature-controlled shipping containers
- Maintenance of glycol chillers which employ shell and tube heat exchange and ice ball systems
- Construction and maintenance of cool rooms using insulated panel systems and associated cool room hardware
- Configuration and fault finding of electronic refrigeration controllers and sensors
- Managing cylinder stocks of refrigerant gases including conducting leak testing and reclaiming refrigerants
- Experience with R404A, R134A and R409 refrigerants and experience with upgrading from legacy refrigerants such as R12 and R22
- Maintenance of laboratory refrigeration systems including controlled temperature cabinets.
- Maintenance of domestic heat pumps and refrigerators
- Experience in the installation or maintenance of building heating and ventilation systems (air handling and heating/cooling water) is desirable.
Additional
Although not critical for your application to be successful, it is useful to have some understanding of any additional licenses you may have.
- Restricted Electrical Licence
- Working Safely at Heights
- Confined space
- Remove non-friable asbestos
- Supervise asbestos removal
- Dogging
- Rigging
- Scaffolding
- Forklift
- Elevated work platform
- Operation of a crane
- Telescopic materials handler
- Dozer
- Loader
- Excavator
- Skid steer loader (Bobcat).
Contact
For general enquiries, please email the Hays Expeditioner Recruitment Team at antarctica@hays.com.au.
