Assistant Director Aviation Planning and Interface

EL 1 - $124,861 - $134,295
- Australian Antarctic
- Kingston, TAS
- Contributing to Australia's strategic interests in Antarctica.
- Delivering aviation planning outcomes to the Australian Antarctic Program.
- Leading and mentoring a planning team of aviation professionals.

**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 aviation section is responsible for the safe and efficient delivery of aviation services in the Australian Antarctic Program.

**The Job**

The Assistant Director Aviation Planning and Interface (EL1) is an AAD Head Office role located in Hobart that reports directly to the Director Aviation (EL2) and forms an integral element of the AAD’s Aviation Section & the wider Logistics Operations Group.

Key duties will include, but are not limited to:

- Managing the Aviation Planning section within Operations and Logistics Branch.
- Support the Director Aviation in developing and managing key strategic relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure Department objectives are met.
- Supporting internal and external stakeholders in broader Australian Antarctic Program strategic planning processes for future Antarctic seasons.
- Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and contractors to develop and maintain the necessary framework to ensure the effective operation of the aviation system.
- In conjunction with the Assistant Director Aviation Operations, develop and facilitate the implementation of AAD aviation policy and procedures e.g. aerodrome manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), aviation operations manuals and associated documentation.
- In conjunction with the Assistant Director Aviation Compliance, Assurance and Procurement, identify and resource suitable fixed and rotary wing capabilities to align with strategic future planning requirements.
- Coordinate with Operational Capability and Training for future season planning and training requirements.
- Provide the interface to CASA and other aviation regulatory organisations.
- Provide the interface to ADF for C-17 Globemaster planning support to the AAP.
- Liaise with science programs for any aircraft modifications and support requirements.
- In conjunction with the AAD Remote Pilot provide aviation planning advice for the oversight and planning of Uncrewed Aerial Systems and the regulatory governance of those systems.
- Working effectively and with mínimal direction within the multi-disciplinary Operations and Logistics Branch.
- Working with the Work Health and Safety section to implement and maintain safe work procedures across the aviation operations.

**What you'll gain from the experience**

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- A demonstrated understanding of aviation legislation (domestic & international and how this is implemented in Antarctic operations) so as to ensure that safety & management of aviation risk is always the first priority.
- Previous experience in, and a contemporary understanding of, rotary and fixed wing operations to inform “in-season” operations and provide future strategic planning guidance for AAD’s contracted aviation capabilities.
- An understanding of aviation regulatory ground support requirements for both rotary and fixed wing operations.
- Demonstrated experience in planning “in-season” and future aviation operations and resource management to ensure efficient and effective use of aviation capabilities, including the ability to manage competing priorities and operational support needs, recognising organisational, seasonal, operational and logistics constraints.
- Experience in an operational planning environment.
- A sound knowledge of contemporary workplace health and safety practices, including a demonstrated commitment to developing and maintaining a strong safety culture.

**Skills and capabilities**