Does anyone know just how many Dash drivers SA are requireing?
If it's only a half dozen or so, then the brail readers that run the big regionals will probably ignore this most significant event.
Had an interview in Melbourne for a F/O slot only a few days ago and HR chick indicated 26 pilots required with a 50/50 split.
Essential Selection Criteria
Be at least 18 years old.
Be an Australian, UK, Canadian, New Zealand or South African citizen.
Capable of obtaining an Australian ATPL.
2 000 hours total flying experience.
1 000 hours fixed wing command.
100 hours night flying experience, of which at least 90 hours pilot in command.
100 hours fixed wing turbine experience
A multi-engine command instrument rating with a minimum of 5 renewals.
Be physically fit.
Hold a Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate.
Be eligible for both an Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC) and an Australian Customs Security Clearance. An extensive security package will be issued after a successful interview and must be completed at least four weeks before course commencement.
Desirable Selection Criteria
DHC-8 or similar endorsement.
Computer literacy.
Experience relevant to Surveillance Operations.
Search and Rescue experience.
500 hours pilot in command of large turbo prop supported by simulator training
Was a bit unimpressed only was interviewed for F/O slot - meet all the essential and desired criteria with exception of 500 hours PIC turbo prop with sim training. Told to expect 2 years to command. Politely mentioned I have an offer for a DEC (Metro) elsewhere.
Didn't think it would be that long and wondered how many DEC interviewees were reviewed in this round of interviews - a mini-flood perhaps with the increased kanga? It looked however, like they had no-shows on the day 'cause my interview, psych and sim were all completed in half a day when it was going to be a whole day affair. Did NOT see any other candidates for interview waiting around as is usual!
Can anyone comment further?
Cheers
TJ
P.S. Their T&C's offered as F/O. Don't have Capt's. Hope it helps!
Employment Information for First Officer DHC-8
We appreciate your interest in employment with Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd. The following information contains details of the position you have applied for and some of the conditions associated with employment by Surveillance Australia.
Surveillance Australia provides aerial surveillance services under a long-term contract to the Australian Customs Service through their Coastwatch division. It is the largest civil maritime surveillance operation of its kind in the world. The company operates a fleet of 10 DHC-8 200 and 300 series aircraft from bases in Australia: Cairns, Darwin, Broome and Horn Island. These aircraft and their crew patrol the Australian coastline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in search of illegal activities. The Coastwatch operation is a vital component in Australia’s national security arrangements. Surveillance Australia expects a great deal from our aircrew and we are very proud of their achievements to date.
Position: First Officer DHC-8
Category of employment: Permanent
Probation period: 6 months
Likely Base: Darwin or Broome
I. Remuneration
DHC-8 First Officer Year 1 Pay AUD 60,000.00
(effective 1st December 2007)
Base Allowances Broome AUD 10,649.60
Darwin AUD 1,024.00
Variable Allowances e.g. Callout AUD 230.77
(Subject to change, vary based on personnel circumstances) e.g. Lack of facilities AUD 66.10
e.g. Breakfast AUD 20.07
e.g. Lunch AUD 22.48
e.g. Dinner AUD 38.71
and others Superannuation / Retirement Plan Employer’s Contribution 9%
Salary
10 x Years of Service Increments at 2% per year
CPI increase at 1st July each year
Superannuation/Retirement Plans
Employer funded superannuation contributions to retirement plans will be made in accordance with the relevant federal legislation and in addition to your base salary.
The company will make contributions into a complying fund of you choice. The fund must be able to accept funds via Electronic Funds Transfer. If you do not make an election, funds will be paid into the default Cobham Group Superannuation Fund.
Salary Sacrifice
Salary Sacrifice is a mechanism used in Australia to legally minimise an employee’s total taxable income. Subject to legislated limitations and our agreement, you may elect to have some of your before tax salary (Sacrificed Amount) paid to an approved third party.
Insurance
A competitive insurance and indemnity package is part of your employment with Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd. It contains Death Cover paid to the deceased’s estate and Loss of Licence Insurance.
II. Australian Workplace Agreement
A condition of employment is that you enter into an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) with the Company. An AWA is an alternative form of employment agreement to the General Aviation Award, against which it is tested by the Employment Advocate, to ensure that there is no disadvantage to the employee.
III. Training
Upon joining Surveillance Australia you will be required to undertake an intensive programme of both Coastwatch and Company training. There are a number of examinations, tests and checks. Surveillance Australia holds a CASA CAR 217 approval, operates in a demanding environment and, therefore, sets a high standard.
Course Usual Venue Approximate Duration
Company Induction (incl. CRM, FRMS, Emergency Procedures etc…..) Cairns 1 week
Coastwatch Course Cairns 1 week
Aircraft Technical Training incl. SOP’s Cairns 2 weeks
Aircraft Endorsement Training Syd/Melb 2 weeks
Line Training Base of appointment 7 weeks
Training Bond
The Company bonds an employee for DHC-8 training where required. The bond amount is, for a non-endorsed First Officer DHC-8, $25,000 pro rata over 3 years and for a First Officer DHC-8 upgrading to a command, $12,000 pro rata over 12 months.
IV. Promotion
Surveillance Australia does not have a seniority system. Promotion is on merit.
Suitability for promotion is assessed by the Promotions Board which constitutes the Chief Pilot, Manager Flight Training and Standards, your Fleet Captain and Base Manager and, therefore, includes, not only your proficiency as a line pilot, but your conduct around the base and with your peers. The Company has a policy of promoting from within but is, from time to time, compelled to recruit laterally in order to maintain levels of experience in more senior positions.
V. Hours of Work / Rosters
As aircrew, you will be rostered for duty from Monday to Sunday inclusive on a flexible roster cycle including public holidays. Your hours of work will be averaged over a 12-month period. The span of hours may be worked at any time of the day.
Our roster is driven by Coastwatch requirements and we are required to accept roster changes up to 12 hours ahead of time. Therefore, rosters sometimes change at short notice, which can be disruptive to social and family lives. Rosters are provided a minimum of 7 days in advance and will be locked in for 7 days duration.
Annual Leave
You are entitled to 42 calendar days of paid annual leave (inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays) for each year of service. Annual leave will accrue and be credited on a pro-rata basis in accordance with legislative requirements.
You are entitled to 8 days off in a 28 day period standing alone. The 28 day period will be nominated by us. This will not necessarily equate to 2 days off each week.
Extra duties
You will be expected to undertake additional tasks beyond your flying duties. After every flight, you will be required to rinse the aircraft with fresh water. Admin days are occasionally rostered to provide assistance to the Base Manager and the Senior Base Pilot.
There are other opportunities within the Company including training and checking, CRM and FRMS training, acting as a base Flight Safety Representative or Workplace Consultative Group member and so on. Some of these duties attract extra pay and others provide the opportunity to get away from the base, meet other staff in a social atmosphere and contribute to the way that the Company runs.
VI. Fatigue Risk Management System
Surveillance Australia aircrew operate under an exemption to the flight and duty rules laid down in CAO 48, called a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS). Our system takes account of the duty that you are about to perform and checks to ensure that you have adequate opportunity for rest in the last 7 days. It is reinforced by a computer algorithm, which calculates a fatigue index based upon the length of duty, the time of day and the cumulative work done over the last seven days. It also provides for education and training and has, as its core, a mutual responsibility of both the Company and the aircrew to manage fatigue risk.
VIII. Further Conditions of Employment
Security Clearance
Your employment will be contingent on obtaining a Customs security clearance to Protected level. This paperwork for the Customs security clearance must be forwarded to us before we will enrol you in the online learning program for the licence conversion.
The process requires you to complete the full security pack and forward to us before we arrange for you to visit Australia to sit the licence exams. The Company encourages you to be full and frank in your disclosure.
Further conditions of employment:
• Current Passport
• Australian Aviation Medical Examination Class 1
• Health Status Assessment conducted in Australia at the same time you visit
Australia for your licence conversion
• Australian Aviation Security Identification Card
• Acceptance of the Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA)
• Acceptance of the Training Bond Agreement (where applicable)
• Checked to Line
IX. Period of Notice
Notice of Termination by the Employer
If we terminate your employment as a permanent employee, we will give you three (3) months notice in writing.
The period of notice shall not apply in any of the circumstances under which the employment is automatically is brought to an end by force of the employment contract.
Payment in lieu of the notice will be made if the appropriate notice period is not required to be worked. Employment may be terminated by us requiring you to work part of the required period of notice and by us making payment in lieu for the period of notice not worked.
Notice of Termination by the Employee
The notice of termination required to be given by you is the same as that required by us. If you fail to give notice, we have the right to withhold monies payable to you on termination equal to the ordinary time rate of pay for the period of notice not given.
X. Miscellaneous
All our bases are in remote locations. These can be expensive places to live and get away from. Unfortunately we are unable to offer ID travel.
Pilots can expect to spend up to 120 nights away from home each year, which may be disruptive to family life. Darwin based pilots do very few overnights.
P.P.S.
I also heard a rumour through TWU that by February 12 no new AWA's could be signed with Labor's planned interim legislation. Crystal ball gazing but can anyone confirm this hearsay? I am thinking it might be worthwhile delaying signing of AWA for said Metro Command but don't want to leave it too long and see the offer lapse.
Cheers again
TJ