Antarctic Operations Planner

• Full Time
• Application Closes 15 Feb 2026
• Canterbury - Canterbury
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk

Mo tatou | About us - What we do

At Antarctica New Zealand, we proudly ensure that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are valued, protected and understood.  Our role is to support world-leading science and environmental protection and to raise public awareness of the global significance of the continent and surrounding Southern Ocean. 

Our Christchurch based Operations Team have an important role in the planning and safe delivery of activities from Scott Base since 1957. 

Antarctica New Zealand facilitates safe field operations by managing the logistics and resources required to support scientific research. This includes the planning and coordination of fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and deep field traverse capability for the deployment and operation of camp infrastructure.

Effective planning is essential to ensure the safety of people, the protection of the environment, and achievement of the scientific outcomes.

Mō te mahi | About the role - What you’ll be doing

As the Antarctic Operations Planner, you will play a key role in planning, coordinating, and ensuring the safe delivery of Antarctic events. You will work closely with event and project managers, the Antarctica New Zealand Operations Team and external science and logistics stakeholders. This role includes a deployment to Scott Base in a leadership role during the Antarctic summer season.

Key Responsibilities Include:  

· Planning and coordination of Antarctic events within environmental and resource constraints.  

· Champion risk management processes and documentation.

· Liaise with universities, parent institutes and Event Managers.

· Support recruitment, training and development programmes for staff.

· Support optimisation of field event resourcing across the summer season plan.

· Act as part of the Scott Base Leadership Team during deployment.

Mōu | About you - What you’ll bring

You are highly motivated with exceptional planning capability, strong communication skills, and proven operational leadership experience in remote or outdoor environments.

Skills and Experience Include: 

· Project management experience including managing budgets, resources, personnel and risk.

· Field/logistics planning experience in Antarctica or other remote areas.

· Strong relationship‑building and communication skills.

· Minimum three years’ operational leadership experience.

· Strong administration, planning and organisational skills

· Understanding of Search and Rescue processes and HSE investigation methodology.

Tono mai ināianei | Apply now:

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an organisation with a real and tangible purpose - for further details and to view a role description click apply. 

Applications close 15 February 2026

One of Antarctica New Zealand's core values is 'we care for each other and the environment’. We actively encourage applications from all cultures, beliefs and backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our culture is welcoming, accessible, equitable and safe for all. The successful candidate will undergo pre-employment checks including medical assessment.  All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.