AddressDefence Weather Services (DWS), part of the Bureau's National Security and Space Program, is the primary provider of environmental intelligence to national security agencies, specifically the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Services provided by DWS enhance Australia's national security agenda through the provision of weather, climate and oceanographic forecasts/data, real-time observations, meteorological training and professional advice to assist decision-making and planning for ADF operations and activities.
Defence Meteorologists – Military Aviation provide timely and valuable meteorological information to ADF aviation units, contributing to safe and efficient operations for ADF aviators. Defence Meteorologists work in a dynamic and customer focused environment and as such, building and maintaining close working relationships with colleagues and ADF personnel is essential. Working under forecast policy, the Defence Meteorologist will prepare and issue aviation forecasts and warnings, specific to ADF requirements, maintain a meteorological watch and amendment service and take meteorological observations. Confidence in making independent meteorological decisions will be required, together with the ability to know when and how to reach out for support.
The successful applicant will be required to work from the Defence Weather Services Office (DWSO), located at RAAF Base East Sale. As the Senior Meteorologist and office in charge you will be responsible for engaging with key RAAF personnel, and for developing and managing a range of customer relationships within the Bureau and the ADF. You will work alongside RAAF operational staff daily, where your excellent communication, problem solving, and time management skills will be key to RAAF decision making processes. A can-do attitude and the ability to bounce back following a busy day will be required.
The local units directly supported by the East Sale DWSO include the RAAF's No.1 Flying Training School, Central Flying School, No.32 Squadron and the Air Mission Training School. These units fly the Pilatus PC-21 and the KA350 King Air aircraft.
The role is shift based but is generally contained to weekdays during military flying hours. Occasional weekend and/or public holiday work will be required, and travel to other DWSO sites for leave relief or to support military exercises may be required. There may also be opportunities for domestic deployments to support an East Sale based squadron.
The successful applicant will need to attain and maintain at least a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) Security Clearance, an Aerodrome Meteorological Forecaster (AMF) competency and the Aerodrome Meteorological Observer (AMO) certification. These can be obtained once successful.
Living and working in a regional 'defence' location definitely has its advantages. For starters the successful applicants will be afforded all standard 'Defence APS' privileges while on base, such as the use of base facilities (mess hall, gym etc) and free parking near the office. Commute time to work will likely be short and peak hour may consist of the three car backlog as you pass through the front gates of the base. Relocation will be supported as will a reasonable amount of temporary accommodation, prior to you finding something more permanent. You will get to know the Defence personnel you support and within our team there are many examples of friendships and support networks formed this way.
