Watercraft Officer

APS 5 - $84,794 - $93,020 per annum plus superannuation
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Hobart, TAS
- _Support the Australian Government's Antarctic and sub-Antarctic maritime operations. _
- _Train Watercraft Operators and expeditioners within the Hobart region. _
- _Work on the water with a professional and collaborative maritime team._

**Who we are**
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals. These goals are to:

- maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
- protect the Antarctic environment
- understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
- undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The Operations and Logistics Branch oversees our operations in Antarctica - supporting people in our year-round research stations and remote field bases. The branch oversees air and sea transport (and the contracts to manage Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina and Aviation capabilities) to transport expeditioners south and enable them to travel around Antarctica. We have staff with diverse skills, located primarily in Tasmania, in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island.

The Maritime Logistics Section is a key element of the branch and is responsible for the effective delivery of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic maritime operations, including marine science activities, within the Australian Antarctic Program. Primarily this relates to operational planning and management of Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, but will also include other ships the AAD may charter. The Section is also responsible for managing capabilities and interfaces used in support of the AADs maritime operations, including management and operations of the AAD’s domestic commercial vessel fleet.

**The Job**
- Conducting watercraft familiarisation, induction, and training activities to support the seasonal program, training approximately 45 Watercraft Operators and over 100 Competent Crew each season.
- Prepare and support all training courses and training activities.
- Issuing, assessing, auditing, acquitting and procuring safety gear and equipment.
- Conduct and organise local (Tasmanian waters) on-water movements and operations which can include sea trials and supporting other government agencies or AAD agreements.
- Support contractor watercraft maintenance, inspections and surveys.
- Conduct basic maintenance and maintenance records.
- Support Watercraft Operator (Expeditioner) recruitment and assessment processes.
- Prepare and stage the watercraft and associated equipment for each voyage which will require the creation of consignments, and the bio-security preparation activities.
- Support the development, maturing and creation of the Safety Management System and associated SOPs.

**What you'll gain from the experience**
The successful applicants will work in a highly collaborative and professional maritime team who provide critical support to nationally significant goals with a clear social and environmental impact. This role offers career development opportunities and operates in a supportive and inclusive culture in one of Australia’s most unique government programs.

**What we are looking for**
- Proven and recent experience operating similar vessel types across a range of operations.
- Ability to train and prepare large volumes of personnel on an annual basis.
- Experience in supporting maintenance, inspection and survey programs for Domestic Commercial Vessels.
- Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of briefing and training programs.
- A strong safety culture with demonstrated experience in analysing, developing, and operating to, risk management processes within the maritime industry.
- Strong communication skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively and liaise extensively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience in procurement, financial and records management.
- Experience in analysing and interpreting procedural, regulatory and legislative documentation to facilitate the production of procedural documentation and training programs.

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments.

In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:

- demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Ant