Drill System Technician & Operator

As a Drill System Technician & Operator with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), you will be part of the team operating the deep drill system in Antarctica. The million-year ice core (MYIC) project is a multi-year effort to drill Antarctica’s oldest continuous ice core at a remote inland site known as Dome Concordia North, over 1,100 km inland from Casey Station. We are seeking skilled hands-on ice core drill technicians and operators to support the AAD drill system operation, servicing, maintenance and repairs. The AAD deep drill is a cable-suspended mechanical drill designed to recover ice cores to a depth of over 3000 m.

As part of a small drilling team, Drilling Technicians and Operators are key members in undertaking operation of the highly specialised deep ice drilling system, servicing, maintenance and repairs to associated infrastructure and maintenance of drill system electrical and communications systems.

Lead Drill System Technician & Operator

As part of a small drilling team with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), the Lead Drill System Technician and Operator will lead the operation of the highly specialised deep ice drilling system, servicing, maintenance and repairs to associated infrastructure and maintenance of drill system electrical and communications systems.

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

Qualifications/licences

Provide copy with application:

Trade or Technical Certificate – It is mandatory that personnel have either or both of the following requirements:

• Relevant experience and a mechanical technician or electrical technician trade qualification
• A degree or diploma in engineering from an Australian tertiary institution

Driver’s licence – Current, unrestricted “C” class (manual) Australian driver’s licence

Citizenship – In accordance with the PS Act 1999, Australian Public Service 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 (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

Knowledge and experience

Demonstrated ability to deliver technical solutions to problems and issues under limited direction and at times with limited resources.

Practical hands-on experience supporting complex technical projects as:

• a mechanical technician/engineer servicing maintaining and installing precision mechanical components, operating machine tools, including manual lathes and milling machines to produce precision mechanical components; OR
• an electrical technician/engineer with verified communication and control system experience.

For the Lead Technician: You must have proven experience with deep ice core drilling systems