Who we are
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.
These goals are to:
-
maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
-
protect the Antarctic environment
-
understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
-
undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.
The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
The Operations and Logistics Branch oversees our operations in Antarctica – supporting people in our year-round research stations and remote field bases. The branch oversees air and sea transport (and the contracts to manage Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina and Aviation capabilities) to transport expeditioners south and enable them to travel around Antarctica. We have staff with diverse skills, located primarily in Tasmania, in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island.
The AAD’s Maritime Asset Management and Maritime Logistics sections jointly facilitate and administer the scope of maritime activities for the AAD each season, encompassing:
- the provision of all shipping and watercraft capabilities for operations in the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and the Southern Ocean,
-
the planning, management and execution of voyages to deliver program outcomes as defined in each seasonal plan,
-
the recruitment, training and deployment of specialist voyage management and watercraft operation personnel,
-
the execution of responsibilities as ‘vessel owner’ for the RSV Nuyina on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, including through the management and monitoring of all activities undertaken by Serco Defence as contracted Ship Manager; and
-
oversight of all vessel operation and lifecycle maintenance activities for the RSV Nuyina.
For more information about us please visit our website.
The job
The Senior RSV Nuyina Engineering and Technical Support Officer will work within a small and dedicated team with significant responsibility for the management of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina. The Senior RSV Nuyina Engineering and Technical Support Officer reports to the Assistant Director RSV Nuyina Capability Management and would be expected to apply a well-developed knowledge and expertise to:
- Deliver high-quality technical support to the maintenance and engineering leads of the Maritime Asset Management section.
-
Assisting in the monitoring and review of planned and unplanned maintenance activities in accordance with regulatory and original equipment manufacturer requirements, and the inventory of spare parts and loose gear.
-
Supporting the monitoring of engineering margins, including reviewing data on weight, centre of gravity, electrical load growth, platform utilisation, accelerations, and fatigue life.
-
Supporting the monitoring of the ship manager’s configuration management system to ensure that the vessel’s engineering configuration is appropriately captured through up-to-date technical documentation.
-
Assisting with managing and reporting of defects arising during the latent defect periods and through the vessel’s life.
The Senior RSV Nuyina Engineering and Technical Support Officer will also:
- Develop technical documentation, briefings and reports in support of RSV Nuyina’s maintenance and engineering management.
-
Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of asset management plans, processes, procedures, and guidelines, in line with best commercial maritime industry practices.
-
Administer support service contracts and work collaboratively with the contractor to ensure performance outcomes align with and deliver capability outcomes.
-
Liaise with internal stakeholders and external service providers to support effective asset management of RSV Nuyina.
What you’ll gain from the experience
The position offers the unique opportunity to work with Australia's premiere icebreaker gaining technical and engineering experience in vessel and technical management. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Commonwealth ownership of a critical supply vessel that is the lifeline of our Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Stations while performing industry leading marine research in the Southern Ocean.
What we are looking for
We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate the following:
The Senior RSV Nuyina Engineering and Technical Support Officer should be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience in:
- A well-formed understanding of ship systems and engineering management practices, including an understanding of applicable legislation, regulations, rules and standards applicable to Regulated Australian Vessels. Experience with Polar Code vessels is considered highly desirable.
-
Project Management: Oversight and management of projects and developing and maintaining technical documentation and records.
-
Knowledge of engineering management and asset management systems and processes. Skills and capabilities
-
Senior RSV Nuyina Engineering and Technical Support Officer should be able to demonstrate:
-
Problem-solving skills – including proven ability to critically interrogate and analyse issues, generate practical solutions and identify areas of risk relevant to this role.
-
Communication skills – including effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, ability to convey complex matters in unambiguous and persuasive language and to build collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
-
High level motivation – drive, initiative and the ability to operate effectively with a considerable degree of independence.
Desirable qualifications
- Tertiary qualification from an Australian university (or an equivalent overseas institution) in Maintenance Management, Engineering, Project Management or demonstrable equivalent experience.
-
5+ years’ experience working within a technical role related to engineering and/or maintenance, ideally within the defence or maritime industry.
Additional requirements
- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
Eligibility and other requirements
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 Baseline Vetting 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.
