Field Support Officer

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Australian Antarctic Division
- Hobart, 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.

Operations & 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 & 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, deep field capability and inland station operations.

**The Job**
The Field Support Officer will work within the Field Operations team under the broad direction of the Senior Field Support Coordinator - Field Camps, 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 and be required to work with a level of autonomy, capable of managing and prioritising personal workloads in parallel to those of the section more broadly. Specifically, this position supports delivery of field camp capability through construction, research, design and delivery to support significant science research objectives.

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, environmentally sensitive and sustainable field activity to the AAP.

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

- Design, construct and deliver field camps of varying scales.
- Support field camp project management, including the end to end provision of field camp delivery.
- Support research and development activities enabling innovative and contemporary field camp solutions.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including members of the international polar operations community and other end-users of remote field camps, to identify best practice field camp solutions.
- Identify and remain abreast of best practices and emerging technology to support and improve AAP field camps and broader field support activities.
- Facilitate production of a templated system of field camp delivery which simplifies and coordinates support to field-based science activities.
- Support management of field camp asset holdings.
- Procurement of goods and services required to deliver field camps of varying scales.
- Anticipate problems and contribute to issues management and risk mitigation.
- The role may require deployment to Antarctic or Sub-Antarctic stations and/or field camps to fulfil key camp delivery functions.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
Required:

- A demonstrable background in project management or project support.
- Demonstrated skills and/or experience in equipment and/or process research and design.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven experience undertaking research and analysis to support informed decision making.
- Demonstrated successful internal/external stakeholder engagement.

Desirable:

- Demonstrated experience in supporting projects or similar activities in remote and/or hostile environments.
- Trade skills or qualifications relevant to the design, construction and delivery of field camps or similar.
- Broad understanding of field camp support logistics such as aviation and shipping.
- Experience working safely in remote field environments.
- Demonstrated knowledge computer systems including Word, Excel, Outlook, CM10 (or similar electronic records management system) and other related programs.

**Skills and capabilities**
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to clearly message and positively influence others.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic working environment.
- Proactive problem-solving skills with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a