This role supports the Supervisor for the Department of Conservation Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team. The team is responsible for delivery of key functions: provision of search and rescue response work, training, and programme maintenance and development.

In addition, this role encompasses the management and delivery of nationally significant work for Te Papa Atawhai as a subject matter expert in health and safety and aviation practices and facilitation of central government initiatives in the search and rescue sector.

The successful applicant will be required to live in Aoraki / Mount Cook and participate in the seasonal standby and duty officer roster.

This is a unique role and work environment which requires a high level of physical and mental fitness. An ongoing interest in developing industry best practices, mentoring of staff and alpinism are key qualities for the successful applicant 

To ensure currency and competency in the alpine environment all staff are required to meet minimum standards in alpine climbing and skiing to satisfy the health and safety requirements of the AMCART program.

 Ngā pÅ«kenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Essential Skills:

• Rock / ice climbing, mountaineering and alpine skiing competency to a high skill level with demonstrated experience and currency in both summer and winter disciplines
• Attestation of skills based on verification of current climbing and skiing log book
• Capable of climbing minimum Aoraki/Mount Cook seriousness grade III
• Capable of climbing rock grade 16 minimum on traditional protection.
• Expert alpine skier in steep, glaciated terrain
• New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5) OR recognised overseas equivalent (A3 Pro 1, CAA Operations 1 or similar)
• PHEC (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care) Medical qualification (or equivalent)
• Current full driving licence
• Computer literate using Microsoft products including Word and Excel

 Specialist skills and experience within one or more of the following areas:

• Search and rescue or emergency management
• Ability to supervise a professional operational avalanche program
• Visitor risk information delivery and management
• Visitor hazard management systems
• Aviation expertise specifically regarding Search and Rescue applications 

Desirable qualifications:

• Suitable guiding and/or instructional qualifications – NZMGA Hard Ice / Alpine Trekking / Ski Guide / Climbing Guide / IFMGA, NZOIA Alpine 2 or recognized overseas equivalent 
• Co-ordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) 4 qualification
• New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 6) OR recognized overseas equivalent (A3 Pro 2, CAA Operations 2 or similar)– or able to be completed in an agreed period
• Advanced first aid/medical qualification, e.g. EMT (or equivalent)
• Advanced risk management / avalanche terrain mapping / emergency management skills or qualifications