Field Training Officer
- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $92,705 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $163,242 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.
Field Training Officers (FTO) with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) are essential to the safety and success of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic operations. You will plan and deliver field training, support teams in the field, and coordinate station search and rescue readiness.
Each station has one FTO during winter (March–November), who assumes SFTO responsibilities. Experienced FTOs may progress to SFTO duties or transition from a summer FTO to a winter SFTO position.
Senior Field Training Officer
- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $102,380 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $172,917 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 Senior Field Training Officer (SFTO) with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), you will lead the planning, scheduling, and delivery of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic field training. Depending on your station and the season, you may work independently or lead and supervise a team of FTOs. A key part of the role is coordinating field safety and developing search and rescue capability at station level.
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Summer SFTO: With larger station populations and multiple concurrent projects, the summer role requires a high level of technical expertise, leadership, and experience in remote alpine or polar environments.
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Winter SFTO: Winter deployments are well suited to those entering or building experience in the program. The smaller station community provides an opportunity to develop the skills needed to succeed in the more demanding summer season. If a candidate is considered suitable, a summer FTO can transition into a winter SFTO position.
For more detailed information about the requirements of the role and the selection process, please see the job description and link to more information on the application process below.
What we are looking for
Essential – Field Training Officers
To apply for this role, you must have the skills and licences listed below:
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Either:
- Significant experience (within the last 5 years) in outdoor guiding/leading with young people or adults in remote wilderness setting and:
- A relevant qualification in Outdoor Education such as a Certificate IV in Outdoor Education, a Diploma of Outdoor Education (preferred), a Bachelor of Education (Outdoor Education) or equivalent; and/or
- An Adult Teaching qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Education: Graduate Diploma; TAE); or
- Significant long serving experience in guiding (within the last 10 years) and leading in the outdoor sector, inclusive of adult guiding (preferably in adult training and instruction)
- Significant experience (within the last 5 years) in outdoor guiding/leading with young people or adults in remote wilderness setting and:
- Wilderness First Aid – (WFA, PHEC), or equivalent/higher
- Climbing Qualification – Single pitch climbing instructor’s qualification and/or multi-pitch climbing instructor’s qualification (ACIA, PACI or other recognised authority), or equivalent
- 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
You may be required to obtain prior to deployment:
- Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) 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
The certifications Provide First Aid (HLTAID011), Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010), and Provide CPR (HLTAID009) are typically completed as part of pre-departure training. However, if not delivered through this process, it remains the expeditioner’s responsibility to obtain them prior to deployment.
Knowledge and experience
- Instructional ability, including preparing presentations and delivering training in most of the following areas.
- field trip planning including risk assessment
- group management, including leadership theory and practice
- environmental awareness and minimal impact practice
- general field skills in relation to use of stoves, shelters, etc.
- field navigation including the use of GPS units
- communications including the use of radios and satellite phones
- snow survival skills
- search and rescue, including first response and operational coordination
- technical rope-work skills in steep slope and vertical slope - rock, snow or ice environments
- glacial travel experience in Antarctic-like conditions
-
Organisational ability and leadership experience in the support of remote field expeditions
-
The ability to work as part of a team, in a multi-skilled work environment, to work autonomously and follow directives (when required) from individuals such as the SFTO and Station Leader
Desirable – Field Training Officers
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.
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Coxswain Certificate of Competencies
- Chain saw Certification
- Quad Bike Certification
- Snow-mobile Certification
Knowledge and experience
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Instructional ability including preparation of presentations and delivery of training in the following areas:
- glacier travel and crevasse rescue
- cross country skiing
- Indoor climbing wall and supervision
- Field research program support
- Sea ice travel
- Development of training resource materials
- Operation of small marine craft such as an IRB
- Operation of Chainsaw
- Operation of Quad Bike
- Operation of snow-mobiles
- Active participation in helicopter and/or small fixed wing aircraft operations (including sling loading)
Essential – Senior Field Training Officers
To apply for this role, you must have the skills and licences listed below:
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Either:
- Significant experience (within the last 5 years) in outdoor guiding/leading with young people or adults in remote wilderness setting and:
- A relevant qualification in Outdoor Education such as a Certificate IV in Outdoor Education, a Diploma of Outdoor Education (preferred), a Bachelor of Education (Outdoor Education) or equivalent; and/or
- An Adult Teaching qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Education: Graduate Diploma; TAE); or
- Significant long serving experience in guiding (within the last 10 years) and leading in the outdoor sector, inclusive of adult guiding (preferably in adult training and instruction)
- Significant experience (within the last 5 years) in outdoor guiding/leading with young people or adults in remote wilderness setting and:
- Leaders Wilderness First Aid – (LWFA, PHEC), or equivalent/higher
- Climbing Qualification - Single pitch climbing instructor’s qualification and/or multi-pitch climbing instructor’s qualification (ACIA, PACI or other recognised authority), or equivalent
- 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
You may be required to obtain prior to deployment:
- Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) 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
The certifications Provide First Aid (HLTAID011), Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010), and Provide CPR (HLTAID009) are typically completed as part of pre-departure training. However, if not delivered through this process, it remains the expeditioner’s responsibility to obtain them prior to deployment.
Knowledge and experience
- Instructional ability, including preparing presentations and delivering training in all of the following areas.
- field trip planning including risk assessment
- group management, including leadership theory and practice
- environmental awareness and minimal impact practice
- general field skills in relation to use of stoves, shelters, etc.
- field navigation including the use of GPS units
- communications including the use of radios and satellite phones
- snow survival skills
- search and rescue, including first response and operational coordination
- technical rope-work skills in steep slope and vertical slope - rock, snow or ice environments.
-
Organisational ability and leadership experience in the support of remote field expeditions
-
The ability to work as part as a team, in a multi-skilled work environment, to work autonomously and follow directives (when required) from individuals such as the Station Leader
- Computing skills, document writing and editing, and ability to liaise with ICT services
SFTO applicants should have experience in Antarctic operations or a comparable environment.
Desirable – Senior Field Training Officers
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.
Qualifications/licences
Provide copy with application:
- Coxswain Certificate of Competencies
- Chain saw Certification
- Quad Bike Certification
- Snow-mobile Certification
Knowledge and experience
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years):
- Instructional ability including preparation of presentations and delivery of training in the following areas:
- glacier travel and crevasse rescue
- cross country skiing
- Indoor climbing wall and supervision
- Field research program support
- Sea ice travel
- Development of training resource materials
- Operation of small marine craft such as an IRB
- Operation of Chainsaw
- Operation of Quad Bike
- Operation of snow-mobiles
- Active participation in helicopter operations (including sling loading)
Hands-on experience (minimum 5 years):
- Leading and planning the delivery of multiple, complex and competing field, watercraft and aviation operations
- Developing mission plans for deep field operations
- Maintaining field training records
- Management of field equipment ensuring all items are adequately maintained and are safe and fit for purpose in the field
- Development of risk assessments
- Systems development and administration
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 Field Operations Team at FieldOperations.Recruitment@aad.gov.au.
Applications will not be accepted via email.
How to apply
- Read about the essential information for all applicants and life as an expeditioner. This is an overview of the recruitment and selection process.
- 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.
- Have your documents ready to attach (e.g., licences, qualifications and current CV/résumé). You must include these to be considered for the job.
- When you have completed steps 1 to 3 above, click ‘Apply Now’✱ to start your application. Applications will not be accepted via email.
