All Heavy Equipment Technicians:
Diagnoses, troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains some and/or all of the following: construction, agricultural and heavy equipment.
Corrects deficiencies in components and ancillary equipment.
Performs service, maintenance, repairs and overhauls in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
Performs extremely complex repairs on a broad range of equipment in the shop and in the field.
Uses diagnostic procedures and test equipment to identify and correct equipment faults.
Analyzes and diagnoses mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and electronic faults.
Operates some and/or all of the following shop equipment including overhead cranes, welders, compressors, presses, grinders, hand tools, and tire servicing equipment.
Lifts, moves and/or installs heavy parts and assemblies safely, using basic tooling and PPE. May be required to perform work outside in severe weather conditions.
Complies with all ASC Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance requirements and goals. Provides documentation as necessary to ensure adequate and legal documentation.
May work days, nights or swing shifts depending on operational needs.
Assists other mechanics and members of the Traverse, Field Camp and/or VMF team as required.
Documents all work performed including diagnosis, root cause, labor and parts. Conducts parts and repair requirements research and maintains records. Prepares reports as required.
Maintains a clean and safe workplace and ensures that safety is the highest priority in the workplace.
May work days, nights, or swing shifts depending on operational needs.
Performs other duties as required.
South Pole Traverse (SPoT) only:
Operates heavy equipment on assigned traverse for no less than a 50-day duration to the South Pole and back at least once, max twice.
Live and work in close quarters with up to 10 people for the duration to the traverse.
Field Camps only:
Diagnoses, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains small engines and diesel fired heaters in a remote field camp or traverse setting
Live and work in close quarters with coworkers for the duration of the remote field camp or traverse season.
Operates heavy equipment for assigned traverse or camp
Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses:
High School diploma or GED
Technician Level I:
A minimum of two years’ experience in heavy equipment maintenance and repair required; or one years’ experience with heavy equipment maintenance and repair, in addition to one summer or winter Antarctic deployment working as a heavy equipment technician.
Technician Level II:
A minimum of four years’ experience in heavy equipment maintenance and repair required; or a minimum of three years’ experience with heavy equipment maintenance and repair, in addition to one summer or winter Antarctic deployment working as a heavy equipment technician I.
Technician Level III:
minimum of seven years’ experience in heavy equipment maintenance and repair required.
Must be able to pass an oral examination consisting of 10+ questions pertaining to mechanical systems, electrical and computer systems, as well as other facets of equipment repair.
Expected Skills and Competencies:
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in lifting and bracing large and heavy parts/equipment with jacks, cranes, floor lift and cribbing
Team player and group dynamics are of the utmost importance.
Must be able to live and work with as a productive member of a high functioning team.
Preferred:
Knowledge of sound mechanical practices as applied to commercial and special-purpose equipment, to include electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
Experience on a broad range of construction equipment, specifically Caterpillar tractors
Two years training at a technical school is highly desirable.
A minimum of one season experience working on vehicles in Antarctica
ASE certifications, and dealership certifications
Experience with generators, mobile cranes, light plants, compaction, ski resort grooming, waste management and firefighting equipment
Welding experience is preferred
Previous experience with remote polar operations
Physical and/or Other Requirements:
Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods
Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica
Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer
Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF
Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.
Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.
Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.
Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States
Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.