As a Station Mechanical Supervisor (SMS) with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) you will lead the mechanical team (one to six staff) in the safe undertaking of all onsite activities. These activities include the operation and maintenance of station power generation facilities, mobile plant, fuel farms and the mechanical workshop. The SMS is accountable for all mechanical operations and decisions on station. You will also perform some mechanical work and operate equipment as part of the mechanical team. As part of the wintering crew, you are required to participate in an on-call roster, to respond to out of hours issues – mainly related to the station powerhouse.

An Antarctic station has limited trades, plant and equipment, materials and resources, and there can be conflicting priorities for the work program due to science support, station operational requirements, community assistance and the disrupting influence of the weather. It will be your responsibility to schedule the daily work tasks of the mechanical team based on the predicted weather and availability of plant and resources to meet not only the works program, but the overall station needs.

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 leader 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.