Field Training Officer

Field Training Officers (FTO) with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) are essential to the safety and success of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic operations. You will plan and deliver field training, support teams in the field, and coordinate station search and rescue readiness.

Senior Field Training Officer

As a Senior Field Training Officer (SFTO) with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), you will lead the planning, scheduling, and delivery of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic field training. Depending on your station and the season, you may work independently or lead and supervise a team of FTOs. A key part of the role is coordinating field safety and developing search and rescue capability at station level.

• Summer SFTO: With larger station populations and multiple concurrent projects, the summer role requires a high level of technical expertise, leadership, and experience in remote alpine or polar environments.
• Winter SFTO: Winter deployments are well suited to those entering or building experience in the program. The smaller station community provides an opportunity to develop the skills needed to succeed in the more demanding summer season. If a candidate is considered suitable, a summer FTO can transition into a winter SFTO positio

Each station has one FTO during winter (March–November), who assumes SFTO responsibilities. Experienced FTOs may progress to SFTO duties or transition from a summer FTO to a winter SFTO position.

To apply for these roles, you must have the skills and licences listed below:

Qualifications/licences

Provide copy with application:

Either:

Significant experience (within the last 5 years) in outdoor guiding/leading with young people or adults in remote wilderness setting and:

• A relevant qualification in Outdoor Education such as a Certificate IV in Outdoor Education, a Diploma of Outdoor Education (preferred), a Bachelor of Education (Outdoor Education) or equivalent; and/or
• An Adult Teaching qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Education: Graduate Diploma; TAE)

OR

Significant long serving experience in guiding (within the last 10 years) and leading in the outdoor sector, inclusive of adult guiding (preferably in adult training and instruction)

Also provide:

Field Training Officer: Wilderness First Aid - (WFA, PHEC), or equivalent/higher

Senior Field Training Officer: Leaders Wilderness First Aid - (LWFA, PHEC), or equivalent/higher

Climbing Qualification - Single pitch climbing instructor’s qualification and/or multi-pitch climbing instructor’s qualification (ACIA, PACI or other recognised authority), or equivalent.

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

You may be required to obtain prior to deployment:

Provide First Aid (HLTAID011) 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

The certifications Provide First Aid (HLTAID011), Provide Basic Emergency Life Support (HLTAID010), and Provide CPR (HLTAID009) are typically completed as part of pre-departure training. However, if not delivered through this process, it remains the expeditioner's responsibility to obtain them prior to deployment.

Knowledge and experience

Instructional ability, including preparing presentations and delivering training in most of the following areas:

• field trip planning including risk assessment
• group management, including leadership theory and practice
• environmental awareness and minimal impact practice
• general field skills in relation to use of stoves, shelters, etc.
• field navigation including the use of GPS units
• communications including the use of radios and satellite phones
• snow survival skills
• search and rescue, including first response and operational coordination
• technical rope-work skills in steep slope and vertical slope - rock, snow or ice environments
• glacial travel experience in Antarctic-like conditions

Organisational ability and leadership experience in the support of remote field expeditions

The ability to work as part of a team, in a multi-skilled work environment, to work autonomously and follow directives (when required)

SFTO candidates should also have:

• All of the above and
• Computing skills, document writing and editing, and ability to liaise with ICT services.
• Experience in Antarctic operations or a comparable environment.