EL1 – Antarctic Operations Manager (Watch Supervisor)

Department of Education and Training of Australia; Kingston; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) invites applications for EL1 – Antarctic Operations Manager (Watch Supervisor). This role leads frontline operational teams and coordinates high‑consequence operations in one of the world’s most challenging environments across Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

You will exercise judgement in incident response and operational decision‑making, work closely with Antarctic stations, transport providers and key stakeholders, and maintain real‑time situational

Job description

EL1 – Antarctic Operations Manager (Watch Supervisor)

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:

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 Operations Management Centre (OMC) coordinates and monitors operational activities across the Australian Antarctic Program, providing a central point for situational awareness, operational decision-making and incident management. Working closely with Antarctic stations, field teams, transport providers and key stakeholders, the OMC supports the safe and effective delivery of operations across Antarctica and the Southern Ocean by analysing operational information, managing competing priorities and responding to emerging risks and issues.

The Job

What you'll gain from the experience

This role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in coordinating complex, high-consequence operations in one of the world's most challenging environments. You will gain experience in operational decision-making, incident management, stakeholder engagement and the use of real-time information to support the safe delivery of Australia's Antarctic Program.

What we are looking for

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:

Frontline operational leadership experience in complex, dynamic and high-consequence environments. Applicants will have experience leading operational teams, coordinating responses to incidents and emerging issues, and exercising judgement in situations where decisions have significant safety, operational, environmental, or organisational consequences.

Skills and capabilities

Please note that 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:

Desirable qualifications

Additional Information

Applicants must be willing and able to participate in a rotational on-call roster, including responding to operational issues outside normal business hours.

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 Negative Vetting Level 1 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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.

The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.

For additional information about this opportunity, please read the job description below.

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