Aerodrome Plant Operator

The Australian Antarctic Program

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 Australian Antarctic Program is led by the Australian Antarctic Division, based near Hobart, Tasmania. The division is part of the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water.

 

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
As an Aerodrome Plant Operator (APO), you will be part of a small team, which will require you to operate a wide range of heavy and light machinery, in the construction, maintenance and operation of Wilkins Aerodrome, along with servicing the needs of Ground support requirements for a wide range of Aircraft. There are a number of hands-on APO roles, which are employed in either summer or winter jobs.

You will be a member of a small team (8-12 people) who live at this site for up to six months. For winter APO roles the deployment period will be 12-13 months. At the end of the summer period, you will be located at Casey Station for most of the winter period before relocating to Wilkins again for the recommissioning of the Aerodrome. Living in this environment requires all team members to complete a wide range of additional duties that are essential to maintaining the Aerodrome and camp facilities.

You should apply for this role if you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience and an interest in the challenge of living and working in a small community in a remote environment. Applicants will be assessed and if successful, placed in a role for training and deployment, or a merit pool that will be used for future seasons.

 

Key duties will include, but are not limited to: 
• Operate machinery in support of runway construction, maintenance and operation, including: 
• Tracked Dozer (DZ) 
• Wheeled Loader (LL) with various attachments including forks, jibs, snow blade and Overaasen snow blowers 
• Grader (LG) 
• Skid Steer Loader (LS)
• Tow-behind Scrapers 
• Prinoth Snow Groomer 
• Hagglunds all-terrain vehicles, and 
• Quadtrac tractors towing compaction/proof rollers, trailers, sleds 
• Perform operator level preventative maintenance and servicing on plant 
• Manually ‘de-blizz’ plant, equipment and buildings after weather events 
• Assist mechanics in conducting repairs and servicing for plant and equipment 
• Undertake other construction and maintenance tasks such as pothole repairs and assisting the surveyor 
• Undertake duties necessary for the operation of the Aerodrome such as assisting in the following tasks: 
• maintaining runway markers 
• operating and maintaining runway lighting equipment 
• establishing terminal facilities 
• assisting with VHF/HF/iridium communication schedules 
• marshalling and supervising passengers 
• aircraft loading 
• handling cargo 
• aircraft marshalling, and 
• responding to aircraft emergencies

 

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

 

Salary 

$73,911 pa base salary in Australia, increasing to $141,865 pa when in Antarctica/sub-Antarctic (inclusive of allowances)