As a Station Mechanical Supervisor (SMS) you will lead the mechanical team in the safe undertaking of all onsite activities. These activities include the operation and maintenance of station power generation facilities, mobile plant, fuel farms and the mechanical workshop. The SMS is accountable for all mechanical operations and decisions on station.

Your priority as the SMS is to ensure all mechanical works are carried out in a safe and appropriate manner.

An Antarctic station has limited trades, plant and equipment, materials and resources, and there can be conflicting priorities for the work program due to science support, station operational requirements, community assistance and the disrupting influence of the weather. It will be your responsibility to schedule the daily work tasks of the mechanical team based on the predicted weather and availability of plant and resources to meet not only the works program, but the overall station needs.

As well as managing the section and leading a small mechanical team (1–6 staff), you will also perform some mechanical work and operate equipment as part of the mechanical team. As part of the wintering crew you are required to participate in an on-call roster, to respond to out of hours issues – mainly related to the station powerhouse.

Station Mechanical Supervisors are 12 month deployments at Casey, Davis or Mawson stations.

A Mechanic for Macquarie Island and a Wilkins Aerodrome Diesel Mechanic will also be selected from suitable Expedition Mechanic and/or Station Mechanical Supervisor applicants

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 $94,838 per annum
• Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $160,179 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.

Eligibility

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

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

Qualifications/licences (provide copies in your application):

• A suitable mechanical trade, certificate III MEM or AUR qualification or recognised equivalent such as motor mechanic, diesel mechanic, plant mechanic, fitter and turner, or auto electrician.
• A Forklift (High Risk) Licence, or the ability to attain prior to commencement.
• A current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence.
• Valid passport when travelling to the Antarctic or sub-antarctic. 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.
• A current statement of attainment in the following units of first aid, or the ability to attain prior to commencement:
  • 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.

Recent experience (within the last 5 years):

• maintaining appropriate work site safety procedures, including knowledge of work health and safety standards
• diesel engine maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and overhaul (such as Caterpillar, Cummins, electronic and non-electronic)
• maintenance and repair of heavy plant, including tracked, wheeled and stationary equipment (such as Cat loaders, tractors and excavators, Grove cranes, Komatsu crushers)
• managing plant and equipment and workshop facilities and supervision of a mechanical trades team.

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 Richard Evans at richard.evans@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.