Duration: Fixed Term Contract up to 8 months with up to 6 Months deployed in Antarctica
Background
As a Radio Operator you will be based in the Operations Tower at the Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island on the Antarctic Peninsula. Rothera is BAS’s main site of operations in the Antarctic and one of the most scenically spectacular places on the continent. You will be part of a small and busy team helping to coordinate and monitor aviation, field, marine, construction and station operations.
The role involves receiving and distributing a wide range of information via an array of communications equipment, including high frequency radio and satellite phones for BAS operations on the continent spanning an area of three million km2. At one moment you may be receiving a weather report from a forward operating base, then communicating with an aircraft landing at a deep field site 800 miles away, monitoring boating activity in the local area before checking the runway for the next aircraft arrival at Rothera. You will also be involved in coordinating supply requests for deep field sites and keeping the associated tracking systems up to date.
You should be able to rapidly prioritise tasks and have the ability to remain calm under pressure. An aptitude for quickly learning new procedures and the use of specialist equipment is essential. You will be required to pass a CAA Radio Operators Certificate of Competence (ROCC) Course as part of your pre-deployment training.
This is an exciting position for a motivated individual who is eager to be part of a small community helping to ensure that world leading scientific research is safely conducted.
Purpose
Radio Operators coordinate and provide communications to field, marine, construction and station operations as well as providing an Air/Ground Communications Service for aviation operations. They also provide the initial response to any major accidents or incidents.
Working as part of the Tower and Field Operations Teams you’ll provide an accurate and effective flow of information to various parties ensuring operations are conducted in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
Radio Operators must have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in person and over radio and satellite communications systems. You’ll need to maintain excellent situational awareness, remain calm under pressure and be vigilant for safety related issues.
During the Antarctic summer season operations run 7-days a week. Work is dictated by the weather and operational requirements; therefore, work is carried out in a shift pattern and will require flexible working covering antisocial hours.
Duties
- Aircraft Flight Following
- Operating VHF and HF radios and satellite communications systems
- Passing and receiving operational messages to/from aircraft and field parties
- Filing and operating flight plans and flight plan associated messages via the Assisted Flight Plan Exchange (AFPEx)
- Coordinating and liaising with construction operations
- Monitoring marine boating operations
- General support to station operations
- Providing the initial response to major accidents and incidents
- Dealing with and responding to aircraft and other emergency situations
- Ensuring all concerned staff are kept up to date with relevant operational information
- Keeping the meteorology and forecasting teams aware of adverse changes in weather conditions both at Rothera and in the field
- Ensuring field party requests are actioned and kept up to date
The 2024/2025 Antarctic Season
The Rothera Research Station has been changing over the last couple of years as the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme brings new capabilities, equipment, and buildings online. During the 24/25 Antarctic Season, the Rothera Tower Operations Team will be transitioning to the new Operations Tower on the recently constructed Discovery Building. This will be a complex but exciting period of time to be involved with the beginning of an new era of Antarctic Operations.
Who can apply?
Experience of aviation operations and operational use of VHF/HF radios or satellite communications systems is essential.
Applications
Vacancies are normally advertised from January to March each year. Check out latest vacancies.