Watercraft Officer

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 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 key duties of the position include:

• 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.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job DescriptionApply Now
Eligibility

• Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
• Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
• Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.
• Mandatory qualifications – your suitability for employment will be dependent on you holding relevant mandatory qualifications. Applicants must hold and maintain a current:
  • Coxswains 1 (NC) Certificate or higher.
  • Level 2 First Aid Certificate.

Notes

We currently have one vacancy available for immediate filling in Hobart. A merit pool for filling the same or similar position may be established at the conclusion of this selection process.

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