Antarctic Weather Observer - Remote Field Tech (12-19mo) in Melbourne

We are seeking adventurous and suitably qualified people for 12-19 months in a remote posting to Antarctica, supporting the Bureau's Surface and Upper Air Observations programs. The Bureau's National Observing Operations section maintains a year-round presence at Casey, Davis, Mawson Stations with our staff embedded within the Australian Antarctic Program's expeditioner community.

Our work focuses on the provision of raw, high quality meteorological data used in a variety of ways worldwide, including for the production of weather forecasting products and long-term climate research. Our remote staff undertake manual weather observations and weather balloon releases, and also use real-time data generated by automatic weather stations. In addition, our technicians maintain all of the meteorological instrumentation at their respective station ensuring seamless service performance.

Core Functions

• As a Technical Officer Level 3 Weather Observer/Technician, you will help deliver the Bureau's highly regarded Surface and Upper Air Observations program at your respective station.
• You will work according to a seven-day roster with your team, observing and recording various characteristics of the Antarctic meteorology.
• You may also support the maintenance or delivery of external parties' programs, such as the CSIRO's Clean Air sampling.
• You will play a vital role in supporting Bureau Forecasting services throughout aviation activities.
• You will be required to perform Aviation Observations which will directly influence the safety and success of fixed wing and helicopter operations at – or in the vicinity of – your station.
• You may also be tasked with several maintenance shifts each month, providing moderately complex technical assistance to the maintenance program led by the Technical Officer Level 4 Senior Technician.
• You will use the Bureau's asset management system (EAMS) to document and report on all maintenance activities and service outages affecting the Bureau's systems at your station.
• You will also produce monthly reports documenting the state of observations programs at your station.

Support Functions

• All expeditioners must also actively contribute to their respective station community. These additional duties will include kitchenhand roster, weekly housekeeping, and any other community duty as requested by the Station Leader.
• Bureau staff may also be requested to be on Fire, Search and Rescue, or Lay Surgical Assistant teams, for which they will receive formal training through the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).

Training & Suitability

• Your participation in the Bureau's Antarctic Observations program is conducted under authority of the AAP.
• As an expeditioner, you will undergo rigorous pre-deployment assessments to determine your suitability to the extreme environment and isolated community.
• Specific training relating to meteorological equipment and practices will be provided by the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre.
• Successful applicants will need to be available for station specific Bureau training in Melbourne and AAP expeditioner training in Hobart from May 2027 before departure to their allocated station.
• Departure for Antarctica is expected to be from late October 2027 to February 2028 dependent upon which station expeditioners are allocated to, and the AAP shipping program.
• Return to Australia is expected to be from around November 2028 to February 2029, again depending on the location of the station you are allocated.

Role Responsibilities

• Carry out all duties of the Surface and Upper Air meteorological observations program, with a focus on timeliness and consistency, as determined by the roster for your respective station.
• Complete all supplementary reporting, stocktaking, and timely dissemination of meteorological observations, as required to maintain the program.
• Monitor the performance of local automatic weather station data feeds through a variety of web-based interfaces, both graphical and message based.
• Collaborate with the Bureau's IT Command Centre to identify faults as they arise, and initiate return to service plans (under the supervision of Technical Officer Level 4).
• Participate in moderately complex diagnosis and repair of equipment including automatic weather stations, Hydrogen generation equipment, IT systems, space weather, satellite and ozone equipment.
• Help to deliver successful and timely outcomes from work packages and projects assigned to you and your team.
• You will be required to liaise with various internal and external stakeholders at the appropriate level and represent the Bureau in a professional manner.
• If chosen, you will attend regular leadership team meetings, have input towards wider community decisions, act as a conduit between the Station Leader and Bureau team, and provide the Station Leader with Expeditioner Performance Review feedback for your team.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation. Complete administrative tasks such as monthly reports, WHSE auditing, EAMS Asset Management reports and stock re-ordering.
• Complete all community duties as requested.
• Comply with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance in the course of your work.

Mandatory Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Proven interpersonal skills to work in a diverse team role.
• Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised in a time critical role on a rotating 7 day per week roster.
• Demonstrated level of oral and written communication skills sufficient to manage the observing operations program.
• First Aid qualification (minimum requirement HLTAID011) with at least 6 months validity remaining on Return to Australia.
• Current unrestricted manual 'C' class Australian Driver's License.
• Current Australian Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining on Return to Australia.

Desirable Qualifications

• A Certificate III (AQF Level 3 or above) from an Australian educational institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the duties.
• Previous experience working in a meteorological Observing, Forecasting, or technical role.
• Experience working and living in remote locations.

Application Closing Time and Date: 11:30pm, Sunday 1 November 2026.