Technical Officer Level 3, Antarctica and Sub-Antarctica

Technical Officer Level 3, Antarctica and Sub-Antarctica

We are seeking adventurous and suitably qualified people for 12-19 months in a remote posting to Antarctica, supporting the Bureau's Surface, and Upper Air Observations programs.

The Bureau's National Observing Operations section maintains a year-round presence at Casey, Davis, Mawson Stations with our staff embedded within the Australian Antarctic Program's expeditioner community.

Our work focuses on the provision of raw, high quality meteorological data used in a variety of ways worldwide, including for the production of weather forecasting products and long-term climate research.

Our remote staff undertake manual weather observations and weather balloon releases, and also use real-time data generated by automatic weather stations. In addition, our technicians maintain all of the meteorological instrumentation at their respective station ensuring seamless service performance.

Immediate Supervisor: Bureau's Remote Operations Lead South (Pos. No 60014481)

Core Functions

As a Technical Officer Level 3 Weather Observer/Technician, you will help deliver the Bureau's highly regarded Surface and Upper Air Observations program at your respective station. You will work according to a seven-day roster with your team, observing and recording various characteristics of the Antarctic meteorology. Depending on which station you are deployed to, you may also support the maintenance or delivery of external parties' programs, such as the CSIRO's Clean Air sampling.

You will play a vital role in supporting Bureau Forecasting services throughout aviation activities. You will be required to perform Aviation Observations which will directly influence the safety and success of fixed wing and helicopter operations at - or in the vicinity of - your station.

Depending on the staffing and operational requirements, you may also be tasked with several maintenance shifts each month, providing moderately complex technical assistance to the maintenance program led by the Technical Officer Level 4 Senior Technician. You will use the Bureau's asset management system (EAMS) to document and report on all maintenance activities and service outages affecting the Bureau's systems at your station. You will also produce monthly reports documenting the state of observations programs at your station.

Support Functions

All expeditioners must also actively contribute to their respective station community. These additional duties will include kitchenhand roster, weekly housekeeping, and any other community duty as requested by the Station Leader. Bureau staff may also be requested to be on Fire, Search and Rescue, or Lay Surgical Assistant teams, for which they will receive formal training through the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).

Training & Suitability

Your participation in the Bureau's Antarctic Observations program is conducted under authority of the AAP. As an expeditioner, you will undergo rigorous pre-deployment assessments to determine your suitability to the extreme environment and isolated community. Station allocation of successful applicants will be decided by the program management to meet operational requirements.

Specific training relating to meteorological equipment and practices will be provided by the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre. Technical Officers are required to have completed all training and maintain currency of all relevant competencies relevant to their role.

Successful applicants will need to be available for station specific Bureau training in Melbourne and AAP expeditioner training in Hobart from May 2027 before departure to their allocated station.

Departure for Antarctica is expected to be from late October 2027 to February 2028 dependent upon which station expeditioners are allocated to, and the AAP shipping program. Return to Australia is expected to be from around November 2028 to February 2029, again depending on the location of the station you are allocated.

Antarctic postings are generally 12 to 15 months in duration; dependent upon which station you have been selected for, the specific training requirements for that station and the shipping or flight schedules. This period includes pre-departure training; therefore you must be available for training and deployment between the dates June 2027 and January 2028.

Designation to a specific station will be determined by operational need, therefore you must be prepared to work at any of the three Antarctic stations.

Role Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Observation Roster Carry out all duties of the Surface and Upper Air meteorological observations program, with a focus on timeliness and consistency, as determined by the roster for your respective station. Complete all supplementary reporting, stocktaking, and timely dissemination of meteorological observations, as required to maintain the program.
• Network Support and Data Quality Monitor the performance of local automatic weather station data feeds through a variety of web-based interfaces, both graphical and message based. Collaborate with the Bureau's IT Command Centre to identify faults as they arise, and initiate return to service plans (under the supervision of Technical Officer Level 4).
• Equipment Performance and Analysis Under local or remote supervision, participate in moderately complex diagnosis and repair of equipment including automatic weather stations, Hydrogen generation equipment, IT systems, space weather, satellite and ozone equipment.
• Work Package Delivery Under minimal supervision, help to deliver successful and timely outcomes from work packages and projects assigned to you and your team. These may be planned in advance or ad-hoc based on program requirements.
• Liaison and Representation You will be required to liaise with various internal and external stakeholders at the appropriate level and represent the Bureau in a professional manner in accordance with Australian Public Service values and Code of Conduct.
• Leadership You will be appointed as the Bureau's leadership representative at your respective station depending on your experience and personal qualities. If chosen, you will attend regular leadership team meetings, have input towards wider community decisions, act as a conduit between the Station Leader and Bureau team, and provide the Station Leader with Expeditioner Performance Review feedback for your team.
• Management Prepare technical reports and documentation. Complete administrative tasks such as monthly reports, WHSE auditing, EAMS Asset Management reports and stock re-ordering.
• Other Relevant Duties Under the supervision of AAP Station Leader, complete all community duties as requested.
• Compliance Comply with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance in the course of your work. Model APS Values, understand and promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity and complies with the Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment. Comply with all Bureau work, health, safety and environment policies and procedures, and take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of your team members, other employees, expeditioners and visitors who may be affected by your conduct. Comply by all AAP policies and procedures.

Media Enquiries

Under the coordination of the National Media Team, expeditioners may at times be requested to promote Bureau activities via the Bureau website, social media or traditional media.

AAP Personal Qualities Requirements

As a wintering expeditioner, you will become part of a small and very isolated community. The Australian Antarctic Program has determined that certain personal attributes are essential to expeditioners succeeding in this environment. Please familiarise yourself with the AAP's Personal Qualities webpage.

The AAD uses assessment centre methodology for the assessment of most applicants’ personal qualities. This involves bringing applicants who pass initial technical screening to a central location, where individuals’ personal qualities are assessed by an independent panel over a 24 hour period (overnight). It is expected that assessment centres will be held during April and May 2027. Shortlisted applicants who have not had recent Antarctic employment with an Expeditioner Performance Rating (EPR) or have not attended an assessment centre within the last three years, are required to attend.

Medical, Psychological & Security Screening

If you are assessed as meeting the above job related and personal quality requirements, you will be required to undergo medical, psychological and security screening.

Meeting these requirements is mandatory.

• The Australian Antarctic Division, Polar Medicine Unit (PMU) will assess and determine applicant medical fitness for duty in Australia’s Antarctic Program on the Bureau's behalf, following examination and tests conducted by a nominated medical practitioner. You will be required to complete an initial AAD Medical Checklist, via an online link sent directly to you from PMU, by email and SMS, to allow the Polar Medicine Unit Doctors to assess your medical history at the shortlisting stage. Those applicants who are progressing in the recruitment will require subsequent full AAP medical examination arranged by the Polar Medicine Unit.
• COVID-19 vaccination is a mandatory requirement prior to approved travel south with the AAP.
• A psychological assessment will be conducted by a psychologist nominated by the AAP.
• A National Police Check is required for all Antarctic Expeditioners.

Mandatory Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership experience. Proven interpersonal skills to work in a diverse team role.
• Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised in a time critical role on a rotating 7 day per week roster.
• Demonstrated level of oral and written communication skills sufficient to manage the observing operations program.
• First Aid qualification (minimum requirement HLTAID011) with at least 6 months validity remaining on Return to Australia
• Current unrestricted manual 'C' class Australian Driver's License
• Current Australian Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining on Return to Australia

Desirable Qualifications

• A Certificate III (AQF Level 3 or above) from an Australian educational institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the duties; OR
• relevant experience and training, which enables the employee to competently perform the duties at this level; OR
• other comparable qualifications, which are appropriate to the duties.
• Previous experience working and living in remote locations

Application Closing Time and Date: 11:30pm, Sunday 1 November 2026.

For further information please review the position description on ?jati=CBBDE721-D6A4-086D-DB97-ED504C4D96D7

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