The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is a Division of the Australian Government's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Workplace and Water (DCCEEW) and is the lead agency responsible for delivering Australia's Antarctic Program.

In fulfilling this role, the AAD supports Australia’s national interests in Antarctica, articulated in the Strategy and Action Plan, as;

- maintain Antarctica’s freedom from strategic and/or political confrontation
- preserve our sovereignty over the Australian Antarctic Territory, including our sovereign rights over adjacent offshore areas;
- support a strong and effective Antarctic Treaty system;
- conduct world-class scientific research consistent with national priorities;
- protect the Antarctic environment, having regard to its special qualities and effects on our region;
- be informed about and able to influence developments in a region geographically proximate to Australia;
- foster economic opportunities arising from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, consistent with our Antarctic Treaty system obligations, including the ban on mining and oil drilling.

The AAD is also responsible for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The Operations and Logistics Branch is responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering the operational and logistical activities that enable the Australian Antarctic Program. This includes the safe resupply and sustainment of Australia's Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations, the delivery of major operational projects, and the development of future capability to support Australia's long-term presence and objectives in the region.

The Operations Management Centre (OMC), within the Operations and Logistics Branch, provides the central coordination, oversight and decision-support function for activities undertaken across Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic.

The OMC is responsible for:

- Monitoring and coordinating program activities, including station resupply, maritime and aviation movements, cargo logistics, and major field campaigns, to ensure delivery aligns with program priorities, seasonal plans and station objectives;
- Analysing meteorological, maritime, aviation, field and geospatial information in consultation with AAD teams, ICT providers, station personnel, transport operators and external delivery partners.
- Supporting the prioritisation, coordination and deconfliction of key activities through close engagement with Station Leaders, Voyage Leaders, Field Leaders, other stakeholders and National Antarctic Programs.
- Providing decision support to the AAD Executive and, in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), determining the safest and most effective course of action when environmental, technical,



resource or scheduling factors require changes to planned activities.
- Maintaining situational awareness across the program and providing timely advice to the AAD Executive and key stakeholders on capability, risks, constraints and emerging issues affecting delivery.
- Providing and maintaining a 24/7 year-round incident and emergency response capability for the Australian Antarctic Program;
- Facilitating incident management preparedness activities, exercises and responses;
- Verifying that expeditioners and program participants have satisfied all mandatory training, medical clearance and equipment requirements prior to departure.

Coordination and tasking are undertaken in support of program objectives, with due consideration given to safety, resource availability, asset utilisation, environmental conditions and risk.

These functions are delivered through a dedicated operations room and supporting systems, which serve as the central hub for the collection, assessment and dissemination of information. This capability enables a common operating picture across the Australian Antarctic Program, supporting informed decision-making and a high level of situational awareness.

The OMC normally operates during standard business hours and is supported by an after-hours on-call Watchkeeper roster. Depending on program requirements, the OMC may transition to extended or continuous operating arrangements. Applicants should therefore be willing and able to participate in shift work, including nights, weekends and public holidays, where required For more information about us please visit our website.

Key duties will include, but are not limited to:

- Maintain oversight of Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean activities, exercising delegated after-hours authority to coordinate responses to emerging issues, risks and changing circumstances.
- Lead watchkeeping arrangements and coordinate enhanced monitoring capability during periods of heightened activity, contingency response or incident management.
- Coordinate the flow of information between AAD Headquarters and deployed elements, including Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations, vessels, aircraft and deep field camps, to support situational awareness and informed decision-making.
- Manage the day-to-day functions of the OMC, including the coordination and preparation of timely, accurate briefings for the Branch Head, Operations and Logistics, Division Executive, Ministerial Offices, external agencies,



key stakeholders and delivery partners.
- Exercise sound judgement to identify matters requiring escalation, ensuring significant incidents, risks and impacts to program delivery are promptly communicated to the Chief of Operations and other decision-makers.
- Act as the initial point of contact and coordinator for incident management across the Australian Antarctic Program, ensuring response, planning and reporting activities are timely, coordinated and aligned with established arrangements.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the AAD and partner agencies, including Commonwealth and State watch offices and response organisations, to coordinate responses to emergencies, crises and other significant events affecting program activities.
- Undertake the duties of the Chief of Operations, when required, providing leadership, direction and oversight of OMC functions and service delivery.
- Coordinate effective shift handovers to ensure continuity of information, situational awareness and decision support across all periods of operation.

Please note that this recruitment process may be used to fill several positions. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the which can be downloaded from the relevant job posting on our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.

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 (NV1) 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 of 6 months.

MSIC and ASIC Licence - If successful, this position will require you to obtain and maintain an MSIC and ASIC.

Note, while flexible working arrangements may be available by agreement, this role is principally based at the Australian Antarctic Division's Head Office in Kingston, Tasmania, reflecting its critical contribution to the day-to-day coordination and oversight activities of the Operations Management Centre. Relocation assistance may be available, subject to negotiation.

📌 Antarctic Operations Manager (Watch Supervisor) (Australia)
🏢 Dcceew
📍 Australia