EMPLOYMENT

The Bureau's National Observing Operations section maintains a year-round staff presence at Willis Island. We are seeking an enthusiastic and qualified Electronics, Electrical or Instrumentation technician or engineer, ideally with previous remote field experience to undertake a remote posting on Willis Island for approximately 6 months as a member of a team of four. The successful applicant is expected to depart for Willis Island from Cairns in April 2026. We are also seeking applicants interested in applying for the October 2026 deployment. Willis Islandis the only permanently inhabited Island in theCoral Sea Territory, an external territory ofAustralia, located beyond theGreat Barrier Reefin theCoral Sea. The island is located some 450 kilometres east ofCairns,Queensland. The four Bureau staff are the only residents on Willis Island and provisions are resupplied during the staff changeover every six months. Willis Islandis home to an abundance ofwildlifeparticularly birdlife and is an important Green Turtle nesting site. The Willis Island TO4 will be undertaking moderate to very complex operational, infrastructure and network support tasks such as coordination of resources for maintenance, inspections and return to service of sophisticated technologies, advanced system diagnostics, fault finding, technical administration and providing support to Willis Island operations. You will be expected to participate in station cleaning and general household duties and actively contribute to a positive work culture that supports staff to live and work in a remote environment. As a member of a small team living and working in an isolated environment, there are several personal qualities and technical requirements that will determine suitability for this position. Applicants will be assessed on technical experience, knowledge and competencies, as well as personal resilience and adaptability in a unique living and working arrangements. This is an opportunity for the successful applicant to gain experience working in a remote location and enable personal development in this role. Where required, the Bureau will provide relevant training to successful applicants and this may involve travel to Melbourne or other locations prior to departure to Willis Island. Travel to Willis Island will be by boat and staff will have shared living arrangements during the staff changeover on Willis Island. The key duties of the position include Maintenance & Operations: Undertake routine maintenance and detailed operational diagnostics, fault finding, repair and return to service of moderate to complex Bureau and Infrastructure equipment including Weather Radars, Satellite communications equipment, Automatic Balloon Release Systems, Surface Observations Systems, Specialist Observations and Space Weather activities, Diesel generators, desalination Plant, Salt and Fresh water system, Septic system, HVAC system. 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. Network and Infrastructure Support: Coordinate infrastructure maintenance and repair activities associated with sustainment and service delivery as required, including operational program outputs and asset maintenance of station life support equipment. Other network support activities might include coordinating network and asset auditing, asset inspection and environmental management activities. Documentation & Record Keeping: Prepare operational and technical maintenance reports and associated documentation. Undertake administrative tasks such as finance reconciliations, procurement, inventory records, stores and stock control. Travel: Travel to Willis Island will be by sea with the vessel departing from Cairns. Travel may also be required to undertake pre departure training. Data Quality: Manage Observing network data quality through remote monitoring. Diagnose and triage faults within the Observing networks as they arise. Liaison and Representation: Liaise with various internal and external stakeholders at the appropriate level and represent the Bureau in a professional manner in accordance with Australian Public Service values and Code of Conduct. Respond to queries on observing assets in your area of responsibility and provision of asset information and data. 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. Diversity & Inclusion: Understand and promote an inclusive environment that respects and values diversity and complies with the Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment. 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