As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD, in close partnership with other government portfolios, is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic interests to:

• maintain Antarctica’s freedom from strategic and/or political confrontation

• preserve our sovereignty over the Australian Antarctic Territory, including our sovereign rights over adjacent offshore areas

• support a strong and effective Antarctic Treaty system

• conduct world-class scientific research consistent with national priorities

• protect the Antarctic environment, having regard to its special qualities and effects on our region

• be informed about and able to influence developments in a region geographically proximate to Australia

• foster economic opportunities arising from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, consistent with our Antarctic Treaty system obligations including the ban on mining and oil drilling.

You will be responsible for the safety, physical, and emotional well-being of the expeditioner community onboard the vessel and the coordination and management of all onboard programs and expedition personnel inclusive of all employment affiliations and nationalities.

The AAD’s Antarctic shipping program traditionally operates from October to April each season and is developed around the priorities for scientific research and station resupply activities, in-line with the ideal environmental periods for vessel access to the AAD’s stations. Each voyage will have a VL onboard and voyage duration can range from 25 days through to 80 days.

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.

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 on voyage to and from 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

To apply for this role you must have the skills and licences listed below:

Qualifications/licences

Provide copy with application:

• Project or Logistics Management - Tertiary qualifications in project or logistics management and/or demonstrated industry experience.
• 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:

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

Knowledge and experience

Manage to Achieve Results

• Outstanding leadership skills, a substantial record of achievement, and a reputation for taking a strategic perspective and delivers results.

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to current WH&S legislation and its practical application in the workplace to ensure field, scientific, industrial and domestic operations are conducted safely.

• Undertake complex analysis and interpretation and apply significant judgement in decision making while managing risk.

• Demonstrated commitment to contemporary environmental management principles and practices.

Lead the Community

• Possess strong people management skills, including the ability to build high performing and multi-disciplinary teams, creating a culture where people feel valued, supported, and satisfied in their role.

• A collaborative mindset, with demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong professional relationships to positively influence the achievement of results in a complex, operationally diverse environment.

• Be a thoughtful and courageous leader who experiments and innovates with a proven history of leading through ambiguity and tight time frames.

• Proven ability to assess the performance of others, provide appropriate feedback and counselling and prepare written performance reports.

• Demonstrated commitment to workplace diversity principles and willingness and ability to address discrimination and harassment issues.

Demonstrate Personal Effectiveness

• Exemplify a high level of resilience and personal integrity.

• Collaborate, communicate, leverage and influence relationships to deliver agreed business outcomes.

• Proven ability to work efficiently under both personal and general pressure in changing circumstances and to cope with physical and emotional isolation.

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 Andrew Deep at maritime.operations@aad.gov.au.