Technical Officer Level 2 – Giles Weather Station

The bureau's National Observing Operations section maintains a year-round staff presence at Giles weather station. We are seeking an enthusiastic and suitably qualified person, ideally with previous remote work experience to undertake a remote posting at Giles for approximately 6 months as part of a team of three. The successful applicant will be expected to depart for Giles in March 2027. We are also seeking applicants interested in applying for the September 2027 deployment.

Giles is located in the Rawlinson Ranges about 750km WSW of Alice Springs, just over the Western Australian border on the fringe of the Gibson dessert and 330km West of Uluru. The station was named in honour of Ernest Giles, who explored the area in the 1870's. The Giles weather station is located on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, and the Warakurna Community is located nearby. Possession of alcohol is prohibited on Ngaanyatjarra lands. Staff accommodation is provided at Giles weather station, and provisions of fresh food are delivered to station fortnightly. 

The Giles TO2 is responsible for undertaking the program of Service at Giles weather Station which includes Upper Air Observations, Surface Observations, Instrument maintenance and data quality monitoring. They will engage with internal and external stakeholders such as the Adelaide Hub, Warakurna community, local service providers and the many tourists that visit the Giles Weather Station.

The Giles TO2 is expected to participate in station cleaning and general household duties and actively engage in a local 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. This is an opportunity for the successful applicant to gain experience working in a remote location and promote personal development.  

Where required, the bureau will provide relevant training to successful applicants, and this may involve travel to Melbourne or other locations prior to departure for Giles. 

The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to: 

• Observations & Operations: Undertake observations from a variety of meteorological equipment and systems primarily supporting the Upper Air and Surface Observations networks. Document and maintain associated records and historical data. Ensure data quality standards are adhered to and perform routine and detailed operational diagnostics Complete all supplementary reporting and stocktaking, as required to maintain the program.

• Asset and Service Management: Support a strong asset management culture and consistent usage of enterprise asset management system (Maximo) to accurately record asset information, asset performance and issue stakeholder communication. 

• Documentation & Record Keeping: Prepare operational reports and associated documentation. Undertake administrative tasks such as finance reconciliations, WHSE auditing, inventory records, stores and stock control.

• Network and Infrastructure Support: Manage and participate in the necessary maintenance programs with respect to buildings, instrumentation, plant, equipment and communal duties to support activities associated with sustainment and service delivery. Other network support activities might include coordinating network and asset inspection and auditing and environmental management activities.

• Travel: Travel to Giles will be by small aircraft with the flights departing from Alice Springs. Travel may also be required to undertake pre departure training.

• Engagement and Representation: Engage with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of the Bureau of Meteorology including active engagement with Warakurna service providers, community members, contractors and tourists, in accordance with Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct.

• Quality Management: Participate in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of products and services and the ongoing development, implementation and continual improvement of the quality management system to achieve and maintain the ongoing certification of compliance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard.

• Compliance: Comply with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance in the course of your work. Understand and comply with conditions of the Giles lease and the permit issued by the Ngaanyatjarra council, noting that the consumption or possession of alcohol is strictly prohibited whilst at Giles weather station and on adjoining lands. 

• Diversity & Inclusion: Understand and promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity and complies with the Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment and the bureau's Reconciliation action Plan (RAP)

• WHSE: Comply with all bureau work, health, safety and environment policies and procedures, and take reasonable care for your own wellbeing and that of your team members, other employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct. 

• Other Relevant Duties: Undertake Scientific projects for other organisations as approved by the Bureau of Meteorology, these organisations currently include CSIRO.