Assistant Director

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Kingston, TAS

**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.

Antarctic Operations and Logistics 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 the leadership of station and field programs, supporting project delivery and emergency management.

**The Job**
Under broad direction from the Director - Station & Field Operations, the Assistant Director - Field Operations will be a senior member of the Station and Field Operations Section management team, providing strong leadership and have responsibility for:

- The delivery and safe conduct of field operations in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic that meet the season deliverables.
- Leading and managing the Field Operations team, supporting team development through the leadership framework, training, mentoring and the performance cycle.
- Developing the strategic plans for new capabilities in deep fieldwork, driving innovation and continuous improvement for the conduct of safe field operations, and search and rescue operations, across the AAP.
- Leading the safety management system for field operations including managing risks, controls and quality assurance processes associated with field safety, adhering to relevant WH&S requirements.
- Ensuring AAD’s field training system is fit for purpose and delivered appropriately.
- Develop and deliver the resourcing plan for recruitment and selection of staff and contractors, including Antarctica and the Sub Antarctic field staff (Field Training Officers).
- Develop and manage the field operations budget and procurement of field, and search and rescue equipment.
- The delivery of the search and rescue capabilities across the AAP and supporting the AAD’s Incident Management activities, training exercises and incidents.
- Effectively representing the Operations and Logistics Branch to build and maintain strong working relationships across the AAD, and with external stakeholders and other Antarctic operators.
- Working with stakeholders across the AAD to identify operational risks and devise effective mitigation strategies to manage those risks.
- Supporting general Operations and Logistics Branch initiatives and activities as required.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- Proven leadership experience bringing credibility into team management, development and mentoring support.
- Extensive experience in planning, delivery and management of remote area field operations.
- Experience with polar environment is desirable.
- Demonstrated proficiency/qualifications in project management, emergency management and workplace training and assessment.
- Experience in planning, monitoring and steering budgets and financial related decisions.

**Skills and capabilities**
- A demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines and inputs from various internal teams with a view to guiding and influencing positive outcomes for field operations.
- Strong communication skills to engage stakeholders and put complex field considerations in readily understood ways.
- Strong personal qualities that inspire trust and confidence in achieving field objectives and in AAD's cultural journey.

**The successful applicant must**:

- Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.

**Please note**:

- 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-Antarctic environments.
- Demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment.
- Be certified