Communications Operator

• The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $79,328 per annum.
• Base salary + additional allowances when in Antarctica starts from $152,264 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 Communications Operator with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) you will operate the Communications Centre on a station and/or voyage to ensure the safety of personnel travelling by air, sea and in the field.

You may assist telecommunications technical staff in the administration of communications devices and equipment. You may also help other expeditioners with minor computer problems.

Communications Operators are employed in summer jobs primarily at Casey and Davis stations and on some round-trip voyages.

Senior Communications Operator

• The annual base salary (while in Australia) is $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.

The Senior Communications Operator is selected from the pool of successful Communications Operators and will take on a leadership role.

As a Senior Communications Operator with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) you will coordinate and operate the Communications Centre on a station and/or voyage to ensure the safety of personnel travelling by air, sea and in the field. You will mentor and train Communications Operators. You will assist with the training of other expeditioners in the use of communications devices on station.

You may assist telecommunications technical staff in the administration of communications devices and equipment. You may assist other expeditioners with minor computer problems.

Senior Communications Operators are employed in summer jobs primarily at Casey and Davis stations and on some round-trip voyages.

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

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

Qualifications/licences

Provide copy with application

• Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC) or equivalent
• Driver’s licence – Current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence
• Citizenship – In accordance with the PS Act 1999, Australian Public Service 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
• 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

Knowledge and experience

Within the last 5 years:

• Hands-on operation of radio communications equipment (VHF and HF experience preferred)
• Air-ground-air radio operations experience
• Radio communication experience with remote field parties, for example outback travellers or vessels at sea

Desirable

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 copies in your application:

• A Long-Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) or equivalent
• Other relevant radio communications qualifications or licences
• A current Coxswain 1 certificate
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or equivalent (Senior Communications Operator role only)

Knowledge and experience:

Within the last 5 years:

• Demonstrated capability in communications operations in a major public, private or defence network
• Experience with handheld GPS tracking devices such as InReach systems, SPOT trackers, and NAL Shout Nanos
• Experience with emergency communication devices such as PLBs, ELTs, and EPIRBs
• Working knowledge of HF radio propagation, frequency selection, and tools to assist with planning
• Demonstrated experience in training adults (Senior Communications Operator role only)

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 Recruitment at antarctica@hays.com.au.