Station Leader Bec Jeffcoat and expeditioners pose with some penguins. Photo: Rebecca Jeffcoat

To apply for the role of Station Leader you will be able to demonstrate experience in successfully leading teams of 15 or more people from multi-disciplinary and diverse backgrounds; preferably in remote settings. Having experience in leadership situations where employees both live and work and where development and maintenance of an inclusive community would be highly valued. You will be a safety leader with demonstrated experience assessing and managing risk and safety in industrial or field environments. Similarly you will demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting environmental values and implementing related policy or protocols. You will need to be self-aware and resilient, with skill in managing and leading through adverse situations or emergencies. If this sounds like you we look forward to seeing your application for the role of Station Leader.

As a Station Leader on one of Australia’s Antarctic stations (including Macquarie Island) you will lead a diverse team of multi-skilled expeditioners on a wide range of exciting science, infrastructure and logistics programs in one of the most remote, isolated and beautiful places on the planet.

The Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) stations provide the infrastructure and operational support capability to undertake Australia's Antarctic land based program for all participating agencies. You are responsible for ensuring that programs receive the necessary support to meet the goals for the Australian Antarctic Program.

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.

Employment arrangements with the AAD may be flexible and could be for a full winter season (12–15 months) or for a shorter season (6–8 months). Please be aware that a shorter employment period may affect the total of the remuneration package.

Suitable candidates will be included in a pool of candidates who may be considered for engagement/employment as a Station Leader in respect of one or more Antarctic seasons over a period extending from the 2023/24 season through until 2025/26, subject to:

  • medical fitness for duty in Antarctica – this may include comprehensive drug screening for compliance to undertake Safety Sensitive Aviation Activities (SSAA)
  • psychological suitability
  • appropriate personal attributes – consistent with the Antarctic Service Code of Personal Behaviour
  • performance standards

As a successful candidate you may also be offered an opportunity to participate in an Antarctic voyage or Antarctic station familiarisation that may require between four and eight weeks of employment with the AAD during the 2023/24 season.

A final decision to assign an applicant to a Station Leadership role will also take into account performance during any familiarisation trip.

Employment conditions

  • The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $136,722 to $145,012 per annum ($5,241 to $5,559 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 Rory O'Connor via email rory.o'connor@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.

Qualifications/licences (provide copies in your application):

  • A current, unrestricted "C" class (manual) Australian driver's licence.

This position is not currently open for recruitment. If you would like to be notified when applications open, please register your details.

Register interest

Gallery

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Woman in black pants and jacket with beanie and sunglasses stands centre picture, on rocky outcrop with snow covered mountainous landscape behind
Two expeditioners on a hill overlooking the Macquarie Island station
Four station leaders in front of a building
A group of smiling expeditioners pose in front of a helicopter.
2 expeditioners stand on the sea ice in front of a small red and white aircraft.
Station leader standing on the ice with the sunrise behind
Field training and station leader amid the tussock grass with the old rusting digesters pressure cookers in background
Two expeditioners standing in front of ship parked in ice
Station leader in red coat standing on snowy balcony with red building in background.
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