The Community Safety Branch provides scientific capabilities that monitor and model the extent and impacts of hazard events. The Earthquake Alerts and Tsunami Warning Section (EATWS) is responsible for Geoscience Australia’s National Earthquake Alerts Centre (NEAC) capability.

The NEAC Operations Support Officer (OSO) is one of a team of five OSOs, and works closely and cooperatively with the NEAC science, operations and develops teams to support NEAC and the EATWS. The work includes supporting efforts to ensure NEAC systems, products and services are fit-for-purpose and quality assured, undertaking NEAC shiftwork as a relieving Earthquake Duty Officer (EDO), and participating in other project work that supports the science, technical, data and quality management goals of NEAC Operations.

Geoscience Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures, and to elders past and present.
About us
Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure, and our strong partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation.
Our culture
Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.
Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.
What we can offer you
When you work at Geoscience Australia you will have access to a range of benefits and the opportunity to experience a workplace culture that truly values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. To learn more about our competitive salary, free onsite parking, generous flexible working arrangements and the role you can play in growing our culture click here.

Our team
The Community Safety Branch provides scientific capabilities that monitor and model the extent and impacts of hazard events. The Earthquake Alerts and Tsunami Warning Section (EATWS) is responsible for Geoscience Australia’s National Earthquake Alerts Centre (NEAC) capability.
NEAC is the public facing component of Geoscience Australia’s earthquake seismology operations and is the Australian government’s authoritative source for real-time earthquake information and advice. NEAC is also a critical component of the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC), operated in partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology.
NEAC undertakes real-time seismic event detection and alerting to provide critical information and advice about earthquakes of significance to government, emergency managers, major infrastructure managers and the public, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The NEAC Operations Support Officer (OSO) is one of a team of five OSOs, and works closely and cooperatively with the NEAC science, operations and develops teams to support NEAC and the EATWS. The work includes supporting efforts to ensure NEAC systems, products and services are fit-for-purpose and quality assured, undertaking NEAC shiftwork as a relieving Earthquake Duty Officer (EDO), and participating in other project work that supports the science, technical, data and quality management goals of NEAC Operations.
Intermittent shift work is an essential component of this role. The NEAC Operations Support Officer (OSO) will undertake the NEAC Earthquake Duty Officer Training Program (EDO training) in order to provide shift cover for NEAC EDOs on leave. The responsibility for covering shifts is shared across the OSO team, and sometimes requires a shift (or shifts) to be covered at short notice. When covering shifts, the OSO will be supported to undertake real-time monitoring, detection, analysis and alerting of Australian and global earthquakes within NEAC’s remit, in accordance with their training.
The role
Working with limited guidance, reporting to the Operations Support Team Leader, in this role you will:
• support the management of NEAC operations, including reviewing and analysing data and preparing reports; maintaining discoverable reference and operationally significant information; and preparing correspondence and documentation
• undertake directed project work that contributes to NEAC objectives, and/or supports Geoscience Australia’s broader earthquake science program of work
• undertake detailed seismic analysis to refine and improve earthquake characterisation, contributing to the quality of Geoscience Australia’s earthquake catalogue
• develop and maintain seismic event handling skills using the NEAC decision support system; seismic analysis skills using SeisComP software; an understanding and competent application of observational seismology methods and techniques; documents including NEAC Standard Operating Procedures, work instructions and guidelines; and maintain a high-level understanding of the NEAC decision support system architecture
• participate in regular training and exercises with stakeholders
• liaise with other internal (or external) professionals on operational issues relating to the delivery and quality of NEAC products and services.
During periods of shift work, you will apply your EDO training to:
• undertake rapid and robust earthquake analysis in real time, using interactive software to characterise significant earthquakes, and produce Geoscience Australia’s real-time earthquake catalogue; you will disseminate this information to government agencies and the general public in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• act as a watch-stander and operator of NEAC’s decision support systems including databases, information management and distribution systems; report performance issues to designated personnel in a timely manner to ensure continuity and completeness of NEAC’s 24x7 services.
To be successful in the role you will:
• demonstrate flexibility and cope effectively with day-to-day work changes, shifting priorities and periods of uncertainty; share appropriate information with colleagues during times of change; assess impact of change and encourage cooperation in coping with change; reschedule and reorganise work to reflect changes in priority
• reschedule and reorganise work to reflect changes in priority; identify need for change and initiate change when required
• consult and share information with own team and seek input from others; ensure people are kept informed of progress and issues; recognise the differing working styles, views and experiences of individuals and factor this into the management of people and tasks
• apply and develop capabilities to meet performance expectations. Where relevant, adhere to documented procedures; consult internal experts; tap into their technical and professional knowledge and experience to improve work outcomes
• use, and encourage others to use, appropriate information management systems to keep information up to date
• take personal responsibility for accurate completion of work within timeframes and quality requirements; get on with the job at hand and apply self with energy and drive; commit to meeting the objectives; seek advice and assistance from colleagues and supervisor when uncertain
• build and sustain relationships; liaise with a range of stakeholders including team members, other teams, colleagues and clients
• demonstrate commitment to self-development and seek opportunities to extend skills and knowledge; identify and communicate your own areas of strength as well as development needs
• adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and consistently behave in an honest, ethical and professional way.
Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications
• Interest in, and willingness to learn and apply earthquake observatory practices, applied methods and techniques, and procedures. Some background in earth sciences would be advantageous.
• Ability and willingness to undertake intermittent shift work.
• Aptitude to develop and maintain skills in earthquake analysis and alerting procedures using NEAC’s software, tools and systems; capability to develop and maintain an understanding of the underlying system architecture, including critical data flows and system state-of-health monitoring.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently, and in a team (shared work) environment.
• Experience undertaking administrative tasks and using Microsoft Office desktop applications such as Word, Excel and Teams.
• Experience undertaking directed project work, or planning and executing tasks to achieve goals is advantageous.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Positive attitude to embracing and adapting to change.
Are you unsure about applying?
Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but do not necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for, please still apply or reach the contact officer to learn more about the role.

Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

To Apply
Submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include:
• Your resume (no more than 3 pages)
• A brief statement (no more than 700 words) demonstrating how you would apply your transferrable skills, knowledge, experience and capabilities in this role to bring value to the National Earthquake Alerts centre and Geoscience Australia.