Traverse / Field Mechanic

Who are we? 

At Antarctica New Zealand, we proudly ensure that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are valued, protected and understood.  Our role is to support world-leading science and environmental protection and to raise public awareness of the global significance of the continent and surrounding Southern Ocean.

This year, Antarctica New Zealand will support science 1100km from Scott Base on the world's largest ice shelf, to an area called the Siple Coast utilising Pisten Bully snow machines, sleds and Ground Penetrating Radar technology. Once here this team will set up camp and provide logistics support to the scientists to conduct their research.

The Roles

Ideally you will be a multi skilled individual with proven experience working in small teams and in harsh environments.

You will need to bring a combination of skills to the team including experience in one or more of the following:

• Ability to live and work remotely in a small team, supporting each other 24/7 with good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ideally previous experience working for an Antarctic program or similar organisation
• Pisten Bully operating experience
• Experience as a Pisten Bully mechanic 
• Leadership of small teams in remote environments
• Advanced first aid skills and experience dealing with trauma
• Experience working in an alpine environment and operating in crevassed terrain 
• Technical support operating and maintaining electronics, ground penetrating radar and GIS / GPS systems
• Cooking for up to 30 people in a remote field camp.

With these skills the team will be responsible for:

• Ensuring field operations, route finding and science support is planned, prepared and carried out safely
• Preparation and utilisation of ground penetrating radar, GIS and GPS systems to facilitate, safe efficient movements to and from remote field locations
• Preparation, maintenance and operation of traverse equipment (e.g. Pisten Bully machines) to deliver safe and efficient traverse operations
• Establishment and decommissioning of deep field camp sites
• Ensuring traverse field and safety equipment is maintained to a high standard to support reliable and safe operations
• Ensuring all traverse and field personnel are trained and competent to conduct operations safely
• Supporting remote camp operations while drillers and science personnel are onsite, ensuring physical and psychological safety are managed and maintained effectively
• Safely operating and maintaining a camp ski way for aircraft including refuelling, loading/unloading aircraft and providing regular weather observations
• Managing fuel supplies, tent camp infrastructure including heating, power and water systems
• Feeding up to 30 camp personnel.

There are a variety of roles available and the exact makeup of the team will depend on the skill set available. Contract duration and timing is yet to be confirmed, however the successful applicants will be employed sometime between late September 2023 to late February 2024 for around 3 months.

To view an example role description via the trademe website, click 'Apply' and then click here.

Medical Assessments

Antarctica is one of the most remote places on earth. Because of this, all successful applicants must be certified medically fit by Antarctic New Zealand's medical assessor. This assessment This includes having up to date COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. If you have any medical or psychological conditions, please reach out to us on people@antarcticanz.govt.nz to discuss your application further. 

Please be aware applications will not close until mid-March 2023. With upwards of 60 roles to recruit, timelines are longer than for a typical job. An update will be provided by approximately the end of April.

Interested in a different role in Antarctica? It takes all sorts to run Scott Base including Carpenters, Electricians, Chefs, Medic, Domestics and Field Trainers. To ensure you're in the know for when these roles are advertised, head across to our website (https://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/jobs) and apply for our 'expressions of interest position'.

One of Antarctica New Zealand's core values is 'we care for each other and the environment'. We actively encourage applications from all cultures, beliefs and backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our culture is welcoming, accessible, equitable and safe for all.

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.