- Lead technical support and maintenance for critical communications and operational technology supporting the AAD and National Parks remote operations.
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Shape technical strategy, standards and future communications capability.
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Join a collaborative team delivering reliable, resilient services that support nationally significant outcomes.
Who we are
The department’s ICT Division has spent the last few years achieving significant milestones that have kicked off a transformational journey focused on laying the foundation for a technologically advanced, secure, and independent ICT environment that is adaptable, innovative, and capable of supporting the diverse needs of our internal and external customers. Our people are passionate about collaboratively finding best-fit solutions, that continuously improve our digital service delivery, secure, and stabilise our IT environment, and streamline the interactions that support the department’s delivery of government priorities.
The ICT Operational Services and Infrastructure Branch delivers the critical technology, communications and infrastructure services that enable the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to operate effectively across Australia, including in remote and regional locations. The branch provides secure, reliable and resilient ICT services, communications networks, operational technology and end-user support that underpin business operations, environmental programs and field-based activities. Working in partnership with business areas and operational teams, the branch manages ICT operations, engineering, cyber security, infrastructure, service management and technology lifecycle planning to ensure systems remain available, fit for purpose and capable of supporting the department's evolving operational needs.
ICT Networks & Remote Communications delivers reliable, secure and resilient ICT network and remote communications services across the Australian Antarctic Program, including Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations, Wilkins Aerodrome, vessels, field operations and supporting mainland facilities. Services operate in harsh, isolated environments with limited access windows, long supply chains and a requirement for disciplined engineering assurance.
The job
The ICT Maintenance & Support Manager provides expert technical leadership across radio, RF, satellite communications, communications infrastructure, operational technology and associated remote systems. The role ensures these capabilities remain safe, supportable, secure, compliant and operationally ready throughout their lifecycle.
Operating under broad direction, the manager sets technical standards, approves technical changes within delegation, leads technical assurance and investigations, and directs maintenance and workforce capability activities. The role supports geographically dispersed operations where reliability, resilience and timely technical judgement can directly affect station safety, logistics, science and mission outcomes.
Duties and tasks include:
- Provide technical direction.
- Act as the technical authority for communications and operational technology (OT) systems, providing technical advice, approving technical designs and changes within delegated authority, and ensuring effective governance.
- Establish standards and assurance.
- Develop, maintain and enforce technical standards, policies, technical specifications, approved configurations and assurance processes to ensure safe, secure and reliable operations.
- Manage asset lifecycle.
- Lead lifecycle management of systems from operational acceptance through sustainment, maintenance, refresh, obsolescence and decommissioning, using asset performance and risk information to inform investment priorities.
- Lead maintenance and reliability.
- Develop and oversee preventative and corrective maintenance programs, ensuring technical documentation, spares, tooling, vendor support and maintenance practices support operational readiness in remote environments.
- Manage technical risk and compliance.
- Lead technical investigations, fault analysis and engineering assurance activities, ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, safety, security and departmental requirements while managing engineering and lifecycle risks.
- Support operational readiness.
- Provide technical support for critical incidents, seasonal operations, planned outages, capability transitions and business continuity, ensuring engineering activities align with operational priorities.
- Lead maintenance team capability.
- Lead and develop the Maintenance and Station teams by providing technical leadership, training, workforce planning, competency development, technical authorisations and succession planning.
- Maintain configuration baselines and records.
- Ensure documentation, asset registers, configuration records, maintenance information and technical baselines remain accurate, current and auditable.
- Manage stakeholder and vendor relationships.
- Build effective relationships with operational stakeholders, project teams, Enterprise ICT, vendors and regulators, managing technical aspects of supplier performance, engineering deliverables and capability acceptance.
- Drive continuous improvement.
- Identify opportunities to improve engineering performance, reliability, maintainability and lifecycle outcomes through lessons learned, asset performance analysis, emerging technologies and evidence-based planning and reporting.
What you'll gain from the experience
Joining this team offers the opportunity to shape the technical direction of critical communications and operational technology systems that support some of Australia's most remote and operationally significant environments. You will work in a technical role where your expertise directly influences system performance, operational resilience and long-term capability.
In this role you will:
- Lead technical decisions that have a tangible operational impact.
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Build expertise across communications, networking, operational technology, asset management and engineering governance.
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Influence strategic investment, technology refresh and future capability planning.
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Lead and work alongside experienced technical and operational professionals in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
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Develop the capability by training, mentoring and growing a geographically dispersed technical workforce.
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Gain exposure to complex, high-reliability systems operating in remote and challenging environments.
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Drive continuous improvement through innovation, modern engineering practices and lifecycle management.
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Enjoy a high degree of autonomy while contributing to a team that values technical excellence, collaboration, accountability and service.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
The successful candidate will be a credible technical leader who can combine judgement with hands on practical skills in a complex operational environment. They will be comfortable taking accountability for technical risk, setting standards, challenging evidence and working across the organisation to achieve reliable outcomes.
- Demonstrated practical experience in technical maintenance or asset sustainment functions for complex communications, ICT, operational technology or critical infrastructure systems.
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Strong knowledge of governance, technical assurance, configuration and change control, maintenance strategy, asset lifecycle management and operational acceptance.
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Demonstrated ability to analyse complex faults and risks, make sound decisions with incomplete information and provide clear, defensible technical advice.
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Experience leading technical teams and building workforce capability through standards, training, coaching, competency assessment and quality assurance.
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Proven ability to manage competing priorities, dependencies and risks in remote, geographically dispersed, safety-critical or high-availability operating environments.
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Strong stakeholder and vendor management skills, including the ability to influence decisions, resolve conflict and communicate complex issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
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A clear record of acting with integrity, applying sound judgement and maintaining high standards of safety, security, accountability and public sector professionalism.
Additional requirements
- Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification.
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Hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
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Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.
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Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work.
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Note that the position may require them to participate in an on-call roster (for which an appropriate restriction allowance will be paid) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours.
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Note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
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Note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses.
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Note that you will be required to travel in remote/isolated locations in northern Australia or its near northern neighbours, using a variety of transport including vessels, light/commercial aircraft, helicopters and manual four wheel drive vehicles.
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Wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.
Eligibility
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - this position requires a
Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment
You may use AI tools to support your participation in this recruitment process, unless advised otherwise. If you use AI, you must ensure your use is transparent, authentic and truthful, and that all information reflects your own skills and experience.
The department may use AI in a limited, transparent and responsible way to support parts of this recruitment process. AI does not make decisions - all assessments and selection outcomes are made by people.
For more information, see:
- Artificial Intelligence Transparency Statement
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AI in recruitment | Australian Public Service Commission
