Technical Officer Level 2 – Antarctica and Sub-Antarctica in Sydney

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 2 Weather Observer, 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. Depending on which station you are deployed to, 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 to support fixed and rotary wing air operations within the area of your assigned station.

As a Weather Observer, you will use the Bureau's asset management system to document and report on any service outages affecting the Bureau's systems 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. Station allocation of successful applicants will be decided by the program management to meet operational requirements. Specific training relating to meteorological equipment and practices will be provided by the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre. Technical Officers are required to have completed all training and maintain currency of all relevant competencies relevant to their role.

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. Antarctic postings are generally 12 to 15 months in duration; dependent upon which station you have been selected for, the specific training requirements for that station and the shipping or flight schedules. This period includes pre-departure training; therefore you must be available for training and deployment between the dates June 2027 and January 2028. Designation to a specific station will be determined by operational need, therefore you must be prepared to work at any of the three Antarctic stations.

Role Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• 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 and log faults as they arise.
• Under some supervision, help to deliver successful and timely outcomes from work packages and projects assigned to you and your team.
• Liaise with various internal and external stakeholders at the appropriate level and represent the Bureau in a professional manner in accordance with Australian Public Service values and Code of Conduct.
• Complete all community duties as requested.

Compliance

Comply with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance in the course of your work. Model APS Values, understand and promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity and complies with the Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment. Comply with all Bureau work, health, safety and environment policies and procedures, and take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of your team members, other employees, expeditioners and visitors who may be affected by your conduct. Comply by all AAP policies and procedures.

Mandatory Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised in a time critical role on a rotating 7 day per week roster.
• Proven interpersonal skills to work in a diverse team role.
• 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; OR relevant experience and training, which enables the employee to competently perform the duties at this level; OR other comparable qualifications, which are appropriate to the duties.
• Previous experience working in a meteorological Observing, Forecasting, or technical role which enables the employee to competently perform the duties at this level will be considered.
• Experience working and living in remote locations.

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