Willis Island level 3 - Willis Island

The bureau's National Observing Operations section maintains a year-round staff presence at Willis Island. We are seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified person, ideally with previous remote work and Supervisor experience to undertake Remote Posting on Willis Island for approximately 6 months as part of a team of four. The successful applicant is expected to depart for Willis Island from Cairns in April 2027. We are also seeking applicants interested in applying for the October 2027 deployment.

Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited Island in the Coral Sea Territory, an external territory of Australia, located beyond the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea. The island is located some 450 kilometres east of Cairns, Queensland. The four bureau staff are the only residents on Willis Island and provisions are resupplied during the staff changeover every six months. Willis Island is home to an abundance of wildlife, particularly birdlife, and is an important Green Turtle nesting site.

The Willis Island TO3 Officer in Charge (OIC) is responsible for undertaking and managing the program of Service at Willis Island which includes:

• Upper Air Observations
• Surface Observations
• Instrument maintenance
• Data quality monitoring

The OIC will also be responsible for undertaking and managing the general station maintenance duties as well as ensuring all staff adhere to the environmental management plan for Willis Island. The OIC will oversee and participate in scientific research projects undertaken for other organisations at Willis Island such as Parks Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

The OIC will take pride in developing and mentoring staff. Strong teamwork abilities ensure you can empower and inspire the team you will be working with. You will also ensure that all staff on station adhere to workplace health and safety policies and procedures and local safety operating procedures relevant to station activities. The OIC will liaise with the Remote Operations Lead North over any challenges, hazards, incidents or complications experienced on station.

The OIC will lead a positive work culture that supports staff to live and work in an isolated environment, they will encourage resilience in other staff and manage relationships with staff and supervisors. As a member of a small team living and working in an isolated environment, applicants will be assessed on technical experience and competencies, as well as personal resilience and adaptability in this unique living and working environment.

Where required, the bureau will provide relevant training to successful applicants, and this may involve travel to Melbourne or other locations prior to departure to Willis Island. Travel to Willis Island will be by boat and staff will have shared living arrangements during the staff changeover on Willis Island.