Field Support Officer

APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168
- Australian Antarctic
- Kingston - TAS

The Field Support Officer (APS5) will work within the Field Operations team under the broad direction of the section’s coordinators, working on various projects and activities relating to the provision of field support to the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).The position has both operational and administrative focus where the successful applicant will be required to work with a level of autonomy and be capable of managing and prioritising their own personal workloads and those of the section more broadly. Specifically, this position supports delivery of field camp capability through construction, research, design and delivery to support ongoing science conducted under the auspices of the AAP.The field operations environment is a dynamic and changeable one which requires a flexible and nimble approach to the way daily functions are prioritised. This position plays a key role in ensuring the delivery of safe field operations to the AAP.

**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 and McDonald Islands.

Antarctic Operations and Safety Branch plan, coordinate, facilitate and deliver operations for the Australian Antarctic Program by safely resupplying and sustaining the Antarctic Stations and building operational capacity to deliver future Antarctic projects.

The Station and Field Operations Section is responsible for coordinating and providing operational support for science and other designated projects and programs. The section oversees leadership, management and sustainment of Australia’s four Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations; coordination and support of field activities including deep field capability; provision of clothing and kitting for all expeditioners; and implementation of a modern traverse capability and inland station operations.

**The Job**
Key duties will include but are not limited to:

- The Field Support Officer designs, constructs and delivers field camps of varying scales to support science activities conducted under the auspices of the AAP.
- The role supports field camp project management, including the end-to-end provision of field camp delivery.
- The role supports identification, trial and deployment of innovative and contemporary field camp solutions which support the ongoing Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic activities of the AAP.
- The role will liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including members of the international polar operations community and other users of remote field camps, to identify best practice field camp solutions which expand the reach of the AAP.
- The role will identify and remain abreast of technological advancements which may support and improve the endurance, effectiveness, efficiency and safety of the AAP’s field camps and broader field support activities.
- The role will help to facilitate production of a templated system of field camp delivery which simplifies and coordinates support to field-based science activities.
- The role supports management of the AAP’s field camp asset holdings including the ongoing process of research and design, fit for purpose inspection and the procurement of goods and services required to deliver field camps of varying scales.
- The role engages with both internal and external stakeholders, anticipate problems and contributes to issues management.
- The role assists in the delivery of deep field camps to the AAP by supporting the bespoke and evolving needs of field operations in extremely remote environments.
- The role may be deployed to field camps in Antarctica or Australia’s Sub-Antarctic island to fulfil key camp delivery roles.
- The role supports the vision and objective of the Field Operations section.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**

**Required**:

- Demonstrated experience in delivering or supporting activities such as field camp construction, field training, field station support or remote area operations.
- A demonstrable background in project management or support.
- Demonstrated skills and/or experience in equipment research and design.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated background in stakeholder engagement including the ability to build and maintain relationships and contribute to the negotiation of safe and mutually agreeable outcome