Senior Aircraft Ground Support Officer

Contract/Temp

Working for the Australian Antarctic Program, you'll become an Antarctic expeditioner, living and working at Australia's only ice runway Wilkins Aerodrome, based out of Casey Station, about 70km away. The continent of Antarctica is in the Southern Ocean, some 4000km south of Tasmania. The wildlife, scenery and role in global climate and ocean systems make it one of Earth's most spectacular and environmentally important locations. Wilkins Aerodrome is home to a small and supportive community of tradespeople, station leaders, scientists, doctors, chefs, and telecommunications experts.

The Opportunity
• Become an Antarctic Expeditioner - do your everyday job in an extraordinary place.
• Be part of something big. Your work will support the program’s scientists conducting globally significant climate and ocean research.
• Experience Antarctic wildlife and life in the coldest place on Earth.
• Make the most of station life by making new friends, learning new things, having unique experiences, and participating in social activities.
• Travel and accommodation expenses covered, including return travel from home to Hobart and accommodation in Hobart.
• Meals prepared by our professional chefs and access to recreation facilities.
• Earn extra allowances while in Antarctica/Macquarie Island in addition to the base salary you receive while working for us in Australia.

The Job
Senior Aircraft Ground Support Officers (SAGSOs) are responsible for a diverse range of duties in support of fixed and rotary wing operations in Antarctica, leading teams of typically between two - six Aircraft Ground Support Officers (AGSOs). The Casey AGSOs routinely assist at Wilkins Aerodrome as operational needs dictate.

Employed in summer jobs at Casey and Davis stations, the SAGSO is responsible for the day-to-day tasking and supervision of a small team of AGSOs, ensuring the team is kept updated on work plans, scheduling of tasks and delegating individual responsibilities, as well as ensuring the safe operations of the Ski Landing Areas and helicopter landing sites. You will have strong communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of complex situations, given the remote nature of Antarctic aviation operations.

This is a hands-on role, which will require you to operate a wide range of heavy and light machinery, along with servicing the needs of ground support requirements for a wide range of Aircraft. This involves operation of machinery and manual work, including the construction, maintenance and operation of ski landing areas. You will handle aviation fuelling equipment and interface with fixed/rotary wing aircraft. You will also transport passengers and cargo to and from aviation facilities and aircraft.

Aircraft schedules are heavily influenced by weather conditions. SAGSOs often work long hours (up to 12 hours) to capitalise on periods of good weather.

Key duties will include, but are not limited to:

1. Ensuring rotary and fixed wing Antarctic Operations are safely conducted in accordance with AAD manuals and procedures;
2. Actively attend Operations briefings and update the AGSO team with the plans for the current week’s flying program, and any other relevant information provided by the Operations Coordinator/ Station Leader and pilots as part of the daily operations brief or otherwise.
3. Assist in supervision and mentoring during the pre-departure training period and while in Antarctica.
4. Delegate individual responsibilities in the most appropriate way to achieve the desired outcome.
5. Construction, maintenance and reporting of Ski Landing Areas to agreed standards.
6. Operate machinery used to construct and maintain Ski Landing Areas varies widely depending on the type of surface and location.
7. Assisting the Diesel mechanic/s where necessary to complete all reactive and preventative maintenance and repairs to mobile and stationary equipment fleet as required.
8. Aviation fuel handling, including the management and transportation of station-based aviation fuel stocks.
9. Passenger and cargo manifesting.
10. Coordination and conduct of safety briefings for expeditioners.
11. Coordination and assistance with the transport of personnel and cargo to, from and within the aircraft, including the preparation and hook up of helicopter external loads.
12. Provision of Ski Landing Area weather observations to pilots and Bureau of Meteorology.
13. Providing basic emergency first aid and aviation firefighting and emergency response services as required.
14. Maintaining inventory registers of station-based Aviation ground support equipment.
15. Completing required reporting documents including Serviceability and Runway Condition Reports, Aviation Facility Logbooks, Aviation Fuel inventory system updates, Fortnightly and season reports which include making recommendations for the ongoing development of such for future seasons.
16. Supporting station, field operations and science programs as required.

As a proactive and positive member of the community you will:
• Maintain a personal and practical commitment to AAD policies and standard operating procedures (including work, health and safety and environmental policies). Training and guidance in regard to all responsibilities relevant to your position will be provided.
• Be rostered to perform duties to support the community life of the expedition, such as general kitchen duties, garbage clearance, general cleaning duties, and assisting other expedition members with official programs, to ensure an equitable contribution.
• Work in areas outside of your primary role, for example, aiding other areas or science projects, or participating in general labouring tasks such as clearing snow or handling cargo.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the AAD, we value diversity in all its forms—background, experience, and perspective. We recognise the challenges that come with our work and are committed to fostering an inclusive culture for all. We encourage applications from everyone, especially people from under-represented groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, gender-diverse people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

How to apply
Go to jobs.antarctica.gov.au/jobs-in-antarctica/ for more information about:
• How to apply for the role
• Position description including essential criteria and qualifications to address in your application
• Employment conditions, salary, allowances, superannuation and annual leave
• Life in Antarctica and Macquarie Island

$98,632 pa while in Australia, increasing to $166,586 pa while in Antarctica/sub-Antarctic (including allowances)