Do you want a really cool job? Why not head south with the Australian Antarctic Program.

The Australian Antarctic Division is looking for more than 150 women and men to fill a range of roles for the 2020–21 season.

The predominately trades-based roles keep Australia’s research stations running.

Expedition mechanic Amy Chetcuti has just returned from Mawson and Davis research stations where she was part of a team responsible for fixing and maintaining anything that moves from things as small as chainsaws up to excavators and everything in between, including the generators that keep the lights on.

“It’s a long list when you look at the list of machinery on station and from a trades’ perspective, you won’t find a job like it anywhere else in the world,” Ms Chetcuti said.

“I definitely came home with a lot more skills than I went down with, and not just skills within my trade, but in things like hydroponic vegetables and helping out in the kitchen as well as helping other trades.”

While each summer can see up to 100 people on station, the winter population drops down to approximately 20 and the small community relies on one another to keep safe and maintain the station.

Alongside their core roles, expeditioners may be trained in additional station support roles which include search and rescue, firefighting and surgical assistants.

There also may be opportunities to contribute to Antarctic science.

“I was able to help with some of the science activities which included collecting air quality monitoring samples, conducting a seal survey and sea ice drilling,” Ms Chetcuti said.

“There are so many good things about living and working in Antarctica and it really is the experience of a lifetime.

“It’s about so much more than just a job — to see animals in their natural habitat and to become part of that and there is also an amazing sense of community on station, you become one little family.”

The Division’s Human Resources Manager, Andrew Groom, said roles range from four months over summer and up to 15 months over winter.

“We manage four research stations — Casey, Davis and Mawson on the continent and Macquarie Island in the sub-Antarctic,” Mr Groom said.

“We’re looking for people with the skills to do the job and who will be a good fit for life in a small and isolated community.

“Applicants will first undergo an assessment of their technical skills and experience and they are then put through one of our selection centres to ensure they will be a good fit for the small Antarctic community.”

Expeditioners are paid an additional Antarctic allowance on top of their wage, and all accommodation, food and cold weather clothing is provided.

The full range of jobs available is:

  • Plumber
  • Electrician/Instrument Electrician
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Carpenter
  • Field Training Officer
  • Station Communications Technical Officer
  • Building Services Supervisor
  • Engineering Services Supervisor
  • Station Mechanical Supervisor
  • Expedition Mechanic
  • Fitter and Turner
  • Refrigeration Mechanic
  • Boilermaker Welder
  • Plant Operator
  • Aerodrome Plant Operator
  • Communications Operator
  • Information Technology Officer
  • Communications Rigger
  • Aircraft Ground Support Officer
  • Station Supply Officer
  • Chef
  • Station Leader
  • Antarctic Medical Practitioner

Applications close on 23 January 2020. Visit jobs.antarctica.gov.au for more information.

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