by Maree Riley, Australian Antarctic Division

WORKING WITH THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC PROGRAM

- a life-changing experience

by Maree Riley

Organisational Psychologist, Australian Antarctic Division

Living and working in Antarctica is the opportunity of a lifetime. Just ask Amy Hobbs. “It’s a fascinating place to work. You are exposed to such a wild, forever-changing place, that you know not many people will experience. You work and live so closely with a small crew of people that they become more than just work colleagues, but some very good friends that I will have for life,” she says. Amy had worked as a mechanical engineer in various industries across mining, defence, construction and fuel systems for about 15 years. She was also fascinated by Antarctica enough to travel to the Antarctic Peninsula as a tourist. “It wasn’t long after that trip that an advertisement came up in my Facebook feed for jobs with the Australian Antarctic Division. That peaked my interest and to my surprise, I found a role as an Engineering Services Supervisor (ESS) that pretty closely matched my skill set,” says Amy. Each year the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) recruits around 180 people, across 25 different roles, to live and work on one of our four research stations. The experience can be life-changing. “I eventually went down to Casey station as a summer ESS where I spent four months working with a diverse team of tradespeople and living with an even more diverse station crew,” Amy says. “I have since spent a further 12 month expedition over winter, and a summer expedition in Antarctica as an ESS.”

THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC PROGRAM

The AAD runs the Australian Antarctic Program, which needs highly-skilled and passionate people to support Australia’s world-class scientific research to answer key questions of global significance. Australia has three research stations in Antarctica - Casey, Davis and Mawson - and one on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The population at each station ranges between 40 and 100 expeditioners over summer and 15 to 25 over the winter months. Each season more than 500 expeditioners travel south with the Australian Antarctic Program, although this number was reduced in 2020 due to the pandemic. Employment contracts are seasonal and generally for between 4 and 15 months. Each station is like a small town with a diverse and dedicated workforce, comprising station leaders, mechanical and infrastructure tradespeople, field training officers, scientists, doctors, chefs, Bureau of Meteorology observers and communications technicians. We also have a team of people supporting our shipping and aviation activities. Expeditioners are supported by head office staff experienced in Antarctic policy, law, operations, medicine, science and media. Summer months are generally busy with scientific research and a range of infrastructure projects being undertaken. Across the winter months the tempo reduces with environmental conditions limiting

Engineering Services Supervisor, Amy Hobbs at Vanderford Glacier

© Amy Hobbs/Australian Antarctic Division

Moon over Casey research station

© Chris Wilson/Australian Antarctic Division

station activities to essential requirements only, alongside a small amount of research. While the population varies across the summer, reflecting the vast array of work and projects undertaken, the smaller station population over winter is focused primarily on maintaining the station. For example, says Amy, the role of an Engineering Services Supervisor can be quite varied. “You’re supervising and guiding a highly skilled team of tradespeople through the challenges of maintaining and upgrading a whole range of infrastructure on station from electrical distributions systems, building HVAC, water production and distribution, to even the gymnasium and kitchen equipment,” she says. Like any small town, Australia’s Antarctic stations have facilities for power generation, sewage works, water making, vehicle maintenance, general living, medical and working locations. As the stations are ‘off grid’, the trades roles are responsible for maintaining the lifelines of electricity, heat and water. The general living quarters are very well-appointed with expeditioners having their own rooms (with shared bathrooms) and access to communal living and eating areas. Station life is very social and well set up with a gym, climbing wall, library and a range of facilities to allow expeditioners to pursue a range of hobbies, recreational and leisure pursuits. Research stations in Antarctica are self-sustaining and rely on everyone to participate in communal duties (such as cleaning and kitchen duties and general maintenance) to support the day-today functioning of the station. As an

© Michael Brill/Australian Antarctic Division

© Gordon Tait/Australian Antarctic Division Two parked Hägglunds against a sunset sky

Panorama of Casey living quarters

expeditioner you can also expect to be involved in a range of secondary duties including an emergency response team, fire team, lay surgical assistant roles, hydroponics - even as station photographer, hairdresser or postmaster. Beyond exposure to remarkable scenery and wildlife, living and working on station is a chance to develop close working relationships and social connections with expeditioners from all walks of life. For many of our expeditioners, the best part about working in Antarctica is the teamwork and life-long friendships that develop. Importantly, communications technology on our stations allows expeditioners to maintain ongoing contact with family and friends back home.

WOMEN IN THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC PROGRAM

Approximately a quarter of our expeditioners are women but to date their representation across trade roles has been low. We are invested in changing this now and into the future. Women have been travelling south for decades and are an integral part of all aspects of the Australian Antarctic Program. Our journey to deliver a worldclass program built on diversity, equity and inclusion is continually evolving. Central to this has been the introduction of our Gender Equity Strategy in 2020. This strategy includes promoting opportunities for women in our annual recruitment campaigns and providing workplaces that are flexible, inclusive and respectful. We have also invested in ensuring women in our program have specialised-fit Antarctic PPE. The commitment to achieve gender equity within the Australian Antarctic Program is championed at the very highest levels of the organisation.

WHAT ROLES DO WE HAVE ON OFFER?

Alongside a range of station support, telecommunications, mechanical services and aviation roles, we invite applications across a range of infrastructure roles, including: • Electrician/Instrument Electrician • Plumber • Carpenter • Fitter and Turner • Boilermaker Welder • Rigger • Building Services Supervisor • Engineering Services Supervisor Employment with the Australian Antarctic Program provides the opportunity for expeditioners to gain new and unique skills and experience, unmatched in any other job. Roles in Antarctica offer not only enhanced trade skills but also the experience of living and working in a small self-sustaining community and the opportunity to participate in scientific research programs such as seal or penguin surveys or sea ice monitoring. Expeditioners routinely talk about the professional and personal growth that an experience like this provides.

Women have been travelling south for decades and are an integral part of all aspects of the Australian Antarctic Program. Our journey to deliver a world-class program built on diversity, equity and inclusion is continually evolving. Central to this has been the introduction of our Gender Equity Strategy in 2020.

Emperor penguins and their chicks

© Gary Miller/Australian Antarctic Division

Amy Hobbs says she’s ready for more tours of duty in Antarctica. “It doesn’t come without its challenges, it requires you to use all those ‘soft’ skill sets, which as a technical person, sometimes doesn’t come easily, but without a doubt it’s worth it. Even though I’m back working in Melbourne, after having done three seasons close together, I can honestly say Antarctica ‘gets in your blood’, I’m still not done with it yet. I hope to have many more seasons down south working for an amazing program in an amazing place.”

Engineering Services Supervisor, Amy Hobbs discussing a quick change of plan during station resupply

© David Barringhaus/Australian Antarctic Division Amy Hobbs and Doreen McCurdy at Casey research station

©Doreen McCurdy/Australian Antarctic Division

HERE’S HOW TO APPLY If the opportunity to live and work on an Australian Antarctic or subAntarctic research station is something that appeals to you, have a look at https://jobs.antarctica.gov.au/. Our annual recruitment campaign generally commences mid-December but you can register your interest at any time and we will contact you when applications open. To be found suitable for the program you will undertake extensive technical, medical and psychological assessments, as well as an assessment of your personal qualities. You can read more about these assessments at our jobs website, or contact recruitment@aad.gov.au. The selection process is extensive but well worth what awaits if you are selected into the program. Even if you do not have the necessary skills and experience just yet, or now may not be the best time for you to take up a position with the Australian Antarctic Program, we would encourage you to get in touch and have a chat about how you may prepare for a future application.