The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals. These goals are to:
* maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
* protect the Antarctic environment
* understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
* undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.
The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
The Assets and Infrastructure (A&I) Branch provides and maintains the equipment and infrastructure to support the AAP. A&I Branch activities range from the maintenance of existing Antarctic stations and equipment through to the design, manufacture, testing, operation and procurement of advanced scientific equipment and systems. The Branch manages major infrastructure projects in support of AAP outcomes.
The Director Infrastructure Strategy and Planning leads the AAD team responsible for the safe and strategic management, oversight and planning for the built infrastructure at the AAD’s four research stations at Casey, Davis and Mawson in Antarctica, and Macquarie Island in the sub-Antarctic. The position fulfils the role of Asset Owner for the stations and this is achieved this through performing several key engineering and business functions.
The key duties of the position include:
Strategic Asset and Infrastructure Planning
* Develop and execute priority construction projects, manage station master planning and capital investment strategies.
* Lead whole-of-life asset planning across short, medium, and long-term horizons.
* Coordinate infrastructure upgrades, removals, and site remediation in consultation with stakeholders.
* Provide infrastructure planning input to broader AAD strategies, including station capacity, logistics, and science program support.
* Deliver initiatives aligned with carbon reduction targets, asbestos removal, and wellbeing improvements.
Risk, Resilience and Maintenance
* Develop and implement infrastructure resilience and emergency planning frameworks.
* Monitor asset health and manage emerging risks including energy security and climate impacts.
* Oversee maintenance planning and compliance, including preventative, reactive, and statutory activities.
Digital Engineering and Asset Information
* Lead the development of digital infrastructure strategies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) capability.
* Ensure integration of asset data across planning, maintenance, inventory, and financial systems.
* Support station teams with accurate and accessible infrastructure data and documentation.
Technical Leadership
* Ensure quality, compliance, and regulatory alignment of infrastructure design and delivery.
Desirable qualifications
* A tertiary qualification in engineering, asset management, infrastructure strategy, town planning or a related discipline is highly desirable.
For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.
Eligibility
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.
Notes
We currently have one vacancy available for immediate filling in Kingston TAS. A merit pool for filling the same or similar position in Kingston TAS may be established at the conclusion of this selection process.