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 to 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 for Station Mechanical Supervisor (while in Australia) is $94,838 per annum ($3,636 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 Cameron Frost (03) 6232 3219.
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:
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.
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.
