Field Training Officer
- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $95,857 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $168,793 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 Field Training Officer (FTO) you are responsible for the planning, scheduling, and delivery of Antarctic and sub- Antarctic field training. You will lead and provide support to groups working in the field. You will coordinate field safety and the development of station search and rescue capabilities.
While Field Training Officers perform a broad range of functions, the strongest candidates typically demonstrate a combination of instructional capability, field leadership, risk management, search and rescue experience and the ability to safely lead and support others in remote and challenging environments.
There is one FTO at each station over the ‘winter season’ (March to November) which adopts the position and responsibility of a SFTO. Please apply for SFTO if interested in a winter role.
Senior Field Training Officer
- The annual base salary when in Australia starts from $105,861 per annum.
- Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $178,797 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) you are responsible for the planning, scheduling, and delivery of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic field training. Depending on which station you are at, or in what season you are deployed, you may work independently, or you may lead and supervise a team of Field Training Officers (FTOs) to provide support to groups working in the field. You will coordinate field safety and the development of station search and rescue capabilities.
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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/polar environments.
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Winter SFTO: the winter SFTO position is considered well suited as a pathway to build the specific skill and experience required to be successful during the more intensive summer months. 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.
These positions are designated as performing Safety Sensitive Aviation Activities (SSAA) under the organisation’s Aviation Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR Part 99). As a condition of employment, employees performing SSAA are required to comply with all applicable drug and alcohol management requirements
What we are looking for
Essential – Field Training Officer
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 guide qualification, 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 Officer
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 and/or
- Indoor climbing wall and supervision
- Field research program support
- Remote field camp setup and 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, 6x6, ATV or motorbike
- Operation of snowmobiles and/or
- Active participation in helicopter and/or small fixed wing aircraft operations (including sling loading)
Essential – Senior Field Training Officer
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
- 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
Recent hands-on experience (within the last 5 years)
- Instructional ability, including preparation of presentations and delivering training in 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 candidates should have experience in Antarctic operations or a comparable environment.
Desirable – Senior Field Training Officer
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 Hays at antarctica@hays.com.au.
