Station Mechanical Supervisor - Antarctica

Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking a Station Mechanical Supervisor to lead a mechanical team at Antarctic stations, maintaining plant, power generation facilities and heavy equipment.

The role is hands-on, requiring field mechanical work and an on-call roster for out-of-hours issues, with 12-month deployments to Casey, Davis or Mawson. Safety and regulatory compliance are essential.

Qualifications

• Recent experience within last 5 years in safety procedures and WHS standards.
• Diesel engine maintenance, diagnostics, repair and overhaul (Cat/Cummins).
• Maintenance and repair of heavy plant (tracked/wheeled/stationary).
• Experience managing plant, equipment and supervising a mechanical trades team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a mechanical team (1-6 staff) and perform hands-on mechanical work as required.
• Oversee safe operation and maintenance of station power generation facilities and fuel farms.
• Manage workshop facilities and coordinate maintenance of mobile plant equipment.
• Participate in 12-month deployments to Casey, Davis or Mawson; on-call out-of-hours response.
• Ensure compliance with SSAA requirements and CASR Part 99 safety rules.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Planning & scheduling

Mobile plant maintenance

Safety procedures

CMMS / diagnostic software

Risk assessments

Education

Certificate III MEM or AUR

Forklift (High Risk) Licence

Driver’s Licence – C class

Australian citizenship requirement (PS Act)

Tools

Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

OEM diagnostic software

Job description

Station Mechanical Supervisor - Antarctica

Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – Brisbane QLD

Are you ready for your next leadership role? As a Station Mechanical Supervisor (SMS), you’ll lead a mechanical team responsible for maintaining the plant, equipment and power generation facilities that keep Australia’s Antarctic stations operating.

As the SMS, you are accountable for all mechanical operations and decisions on station. This includes overseeing the safe operation and maintenance of station power generation facilities, mobile plant, fuel farms and the mechanical workshop.

This is a hands‑on leadership role. In addition to leading a small mechanical team (1‑6 staff), you’ll undertake mechanical work and operate equipment as required. As part of the wintering crew, you’ll participate in an on‑call roster to respond to out‑of‑hours issues, primarily related to station powerhouse operations.

Station Mechanical Supervisors undertake 12‑month deployments at Casey, Davis or Mawson stations. Suitable Expedition Mechanic and Station Mechanic Supervisor applicants may also be selected for Mechanic opportunities at Macquarie Island as well as Wilkins Aerodrome Diesel Mechanic.

This position is designated as performing Safety Sensitive Aviation Activities (SSAA) under the organisation’s Aviation Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP) and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR Part 99). As a condition of employment, employees performing SSAA are required to comply with all applicable drug and alcohol management requirements.

What we are looking for

To apply for this role, you must have the skills and licences listed below:

Qualifications/licences

Provide copy with application:

• Suitable Mechanical Trade - Certificate III MEM or AUR qualification or recognised equivalent such as motor mechanic, diesel mechanic, plant mechanic, fitter and turner, or auto electrician.
• Forklift (High Risk) Licence.
• Driver’s Licence – A current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence.
• Citizenship - In accordance with the PS Act 1999, APS employees are required to be Australian citizens. Persons who are not Australian citizens will generally only be considered where there are no suitable Australian applicants, with next considerations being Australian residents with work rights and New Zealand citizens.

Obtain prior to commencement

• Valid Passport - The expiry date of the passport (and any relevant visa) must be at least 6 months beyond the planned end date of your intended stay in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic
• Provide First Aid (HLTAID0011) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
• Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010) must be valid for at least 18 months beyond the date of commencement
• Provide CPR (HLTAID009) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of commencement

Knowledge and experience

Recent experience (within the last 5 years):

• Maintaining appropriate work site safety procedures, including knowledge of work health and safety standards
• Diesel engine maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and overhaul (such as Caterpillar, Cummins, electronic and non-electronic)
• Maintenance and repair of heavy plant, including tracked, wheeled and stationary equipment (such as Cat loaders, tractors and excavators, Grove cranes, Komatsu crushers)
• Managing plant and equipment and workshop facilities and supervision of a mechanical trades team

Capabilities

• Proven team leadership skills
• High level verbal and written communication skills to communicate clearly and effectively across a broad range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated planning and scheduling of workshop activities to meet defined targets
• Technical knowledge/experience in a field related to the maintenance of mobile plant, including an understanding of appropriate quality control methods and an ability to assess compliance with relevant standards and specifications
• Demonstrated capability maintaining appropriate work site safety procedures, including sound knowledge of work health and safety standards, proficiency in risk assessments and job hazard analyses
• Capability using a variety of technology including computer-based maintenance management systems and OEM diagnostic software
• Current or very recent proficiency in risk assessments and job hazard analyses relating to heavy plant maintenance

Applications close: 11.30 pm AEDT, 1 November 2026