Engineering Services Supervisor

Working for the Australian Antarctic Program, you'll become an Antarctic expeditioner, living and working at one of Australia's four research stations.
Our stations are Casey, Davis and Mawson in Antarctica and our sub-Antarctic station on Macquarie Island.

The continent of Antarctica is in the Southern Ocean, some 4000km south of Tasmania.
The wildlife, scenery and role in global climate and ocean systems make it one of Earth's most spectacular and environmentally important locations.

Each of Australia's Antarctic research stations is home to a small and supportive community of tradespeople, station leaders, scientists, doctors, chefs, and telecommunications experts.

The Australian Antarctic Program is led by the Australian Antarctic Division, based near Hobart, Tasmania.
The division is part of the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water.

The Opportunity
Become an Antarctic Expeditioner - do your everyday job in an extraordinary place.
Be part of something big.
Your work will support the program's scientists conducting globally significant climate and ocean research.
Experience Antarctic wildlife and life in the coldest place on Earth.
Make the most of station life by making new friends, learning new things, having unique experiences, and participating in social activities.
Travel and accommodation expenses covered, including return travel from home to Hobart and accommodation in Hobart.
Meals prepared by our professional chefs and access to recreation facilities.
Earn extra allowances while in Antarctica/Macquarie Island in addition to the base salary you receive while working for us in Australia.
The Job
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) employs a number of Engineering Services Supervisors (ESS) to manage the delivery of infrastructure works and supervise the safe undertaking of all on-site activities carried out by our trade teams over the Antarctic "summer" and/or "winter" period.
The ESS personnel are supported by a team of engineers, trades people, project managers and administrative staff within the Antarctic Infrastructure group at the Division's head office.

The Station trades team are typically engaged in all operational aspects of the station buildings and infrastructure, including power generation, water production and supply, wastewater treatment, and station heating.
The trades team also undertakes minor new works and larger capital building projects, both new constructions and renewal.

You will oversee the station's scheduled preventive maintenance program while also managing trade response to breakdowns and corrective maintenance as they occur.
Typically, most outdoor maintenance tasks, refurbishment projects, and new construction works are carried out during the summer months (October to March), when conditions are more favourable.
Balancing these planned activities with unscheduled repairs will require careful coordination and adaptability.

An Antarctic station operates with limited trades personnel, equipment, materials, and resources, often requiring careful management of competing priorities.
In addition to supporting scientific research and general station operations, the weather can pose additional challenges to the work schedule.
Your responsibility will be to coordinate the daily tasks of the trades team, considering the forecasted weather and availability of equipment and resources, to ensure the works program is met while addressing the broader needs of the station.

The expedition ESS role typically involves approximately two months of pre-departure training in Hobart, followed by five to twelve months stationed in Antarctica or on Macquarie Island.
The pre-departure training period includes position specific briefings on work priorities, the computerised maintenance management system, and general Antarctic training requirements.

As the ESS, you will also be part of the station leadership team and will be expected to demonstrate attributes that align with an AAD leadership role.

Key duties will include, but are not limited to:
As the leader of a trade and technical team, you will foster a supportive, psychologically and physically safe and inclusive culture.
You will develop mentoring and coaching opportunities and create a proactive and flexible team.
You will be responsible for overseeing the safe and efficient operation of the station's buildings, infrastructure, and services.
This includes managing essential operations such as power generation and distribution, water production and supply, wastewater treatment, and station heating.
Additionally, you will lead the station's planned preventive maintenance program, address any reactive maintenance needs or breakdowns, and oversee the delivery of infrastructure project works scheduled for each season.
An Engineering Services Supervisor (ESS) will apply their engineering or technical expertise and project management skills to: Lead and co-ordinate the activities of a multi-disciplined trade group.
Utilise the AAD's computerised maintenance management system to identify upcoming maintenance tasks, including mandatory compliance requirements, and schedule the appropriate trade skills and equipment.
This may involve consultation with head office trades supervisors to manage competing priorities, or address limitations due to resource shortages.
Manage work priorities as determined by head office supervisors, while delivering the monthly worklist of scheduled preventative and corrective maintenance tasks generated by the computerised maintenance system.
Monitor and report the progress of the summer/winter works program, including preparing a detailed end of season report.
You will be expected to provide monthly written progress updates and participate in regular video conferences with head office teams.
Demonstrate a personal and practical commitment to the AAD's WHS and environmental policies, leading by example through your actions.
Actively contribute to the delivery of the overall AAD program and support all AAD policies as a member of the Station Leadership team.
This will include scheduling trade personnel for other activities as required.
Provide support for key science programs, as outlined in service level agreements.
You will be briefed on these activities prior to departure.
Prior to departure, you may also be called upon to: Supervise the workload and training program for a multi-disciplined trade group while at AAD Headquarters (Kingston, Tasmania), particularly focusing on the summer trades team who typically start four weeks prior to deployment.
Participate in Antarctic specific briefings and training, relating to the upcoming summer's proposed works.
Active engagement in briefings is essential and will include managing unplanned one on one sessions with key staff to ensure all your requirements can be met.
As a leader, you are responsible for health, safety, and wellbeing by modelling and promoting safe work practices in line with the AAD's Work Health Safety Commitment Statement and the AAD Safety Behaviours Framework.
As a proactive and positive member of the community you will: Maintain a personal and practical commitment to AAD policies and standard operating procedures (including work, health and safety and environmental policies).
Training and guidance in regard to all responsibilities relevant to your position will be provided.
Be rostered to perform duties to support the community life of the expedition, such as general kitchen duties, garbage clearance, general cleaning duties, and assisting other expedition members with official programs, to ensure an equitable contribution.
Work in areas outside of your primary role, for example, aiding other areas or science projects, or participating in general labouring tasks such as clearing snow or handling cargo.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the AAD, we value diversity in all its forms—background, experience, and perspective.
We recognise the challenges that come with our work and are committed to fostering an inclusive culture for all.
We encourage applications from everyone, especially people from under-represented groups like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, gender-diverse people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

How to apply
Go to for more information about:
How to apply for the role Position description including essential criteria and qualifications to address in your application Employment conditions, salary, allowances, superannuation and annual leave Life in Antarctica and Macquarie Island $112,089 pa while in Australia increasing to $180,043 pa (When in Antarctica/sub Antarctic, inclusive of Antarctic Allowances)
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