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About the Job
- Providing meteorological and oceanographic forecasts, briefs and data to deployable assets in Australia and global Areas of Operations
- Providing aviation forecasts and support to air assets ashore and at sea
- Providing advice to commanders and operational planners on features of the above and below water environment that can be exploited to gain a fighting edge. Meteorologists and Oceanographers provide meteorological and oceanographic information, services and support to the Navy's Fleet, aviation squadrons and other national agencies to meet the Australian Defence Force's requirement for military operations and strategic planning. They assess the above and below water physical operating environment to determine how it can best be used to gain strategic, operational and tactical advantage.
- There are opportunities to transfer to Full Time employment with some further training and experience.
Graduate - Reserve
Make the most of your relevant degree in an exciting part-time career challenge
Key Information
Preparing for Your Recruitment Process
This document provides information that will assist applicants for roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force, including details about the recruitment process, how to prepare yourself for assessment, and what to expect if you are successful in joining the Australian Defence Force.
Salary & Allowances
Most Reservists join the Australian Defence Force for the exciting work, the friendships and the lifestyle. But there are many other benefits too, including financial ones.
The pay you receive in the Navy Reserve goes straight into your pocket with no deductions for tax, and it increases as you gain seniority and experience.
For more details download our
Salary Scales.
Requirements
Age
Applicants must be aged between 17 and 60 years of age inclusive on entry.
Education & Experience
METOC Reserve Officer applicants require a Graduate Diploma in meteorology. Employment experience that is relevant to the duties that will be undertaken is highly desirable.
A METOC Reserve applicant must meet the following educational requirements:
- Hold a Graduate Diploma in Meteorology or equivalent qualification, accredited by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
Furthermore, the following would be considered highly desirable:
-
Forecasting experience with a Government or private organisation
- Ability to perform well in a watch keeping position
- Well-developed time management skills and
- Good briefing and presentation skills
Medical & Fitness
To join the Navy, it's important that you meet the necessary medical and physical requirements. This is assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination. Regular exercise prior to joining will set you up for success as it is an important part of training and service life.
You must also pass the swim test and physical fitness test to graduate from your training.
Royal Australian Navy Swim Test (RANST):
The RANST is conducted early in your training to ensure the Navy's duty of care to all serving personnel, with respect to rudimentary swimming skills. The purpose of the RANST is to ensure fundamental water survival skills as a prerequisite to training such as survival at sea training. Individual components of the RANST are fundamentally related to the survival at sea scenario.
Competency in the RANST is achieved through completion of each component:
- Safety jump off a 3m tower
- 10m underwater swim
- 50m swim using survival strokes
- Treading water or floating for 15 minutes
Note: You will be wearing your Navy uniform during the swim test.
All personnel will undertake the RANST upon entry and competency is to be achieved before the end of your initial military training. You will find it much easier to pass the swimming test if you undertake swimming training before you join.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards refer to Physical Fitness Standards for Entry into the ADF and Medical Process for Entry into the ADF.
Aptitude
The Job Opportunities Assessment (JOA) is completed as part of the application process to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Some jobs may also require you to complete a further evaluation at a later date.
The JOA is used by Defence to establish suitability for ADF entry, and then identify jobs that best match your abilities.
Further information about the JOA can be found in the Guide to the Job Opportunities Assessment for the ADF.
To get a feel for the types of questions that are used in the Job Opportunities Assessment and how they will look on your screen some examples can be found in the Job Opportunities Assessment Example Questions.
Citizenship
To serve in the ADF you must be an Australian Citizen.
If you are a permanent resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary deferral of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian Citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment.
Find out more in our Citizenship page or ask your local ADF Careers Centre.
Security Requirements
The Department of Defence requires ADF employees to have a security clearance appropriate to their employment.
A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and if required, interviews, enables the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance.
The minimum security clearance level required is Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), and current policy requires applicants to have a checkable background for the previous 10 years.
This means applicants must provide credible referees (non-family members) who are able to provide information about the applicant covering an extended period of time. Required information for an NV1 includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Residence
- Employment
- Education
- Financial information
- Travel
Some ADF jobs may require a higher level of security clearance such as Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (PV). Your individual circumstances will determine the number and complexity of the questions and the supporting documents required for these levels.
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance and a clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
The security clearance is critical to an applicant's successful progression through the recruiting process. It is strongly recommended that all applicants action the Security Clearance Package (ePack) and provide the required documentation without delay to provide the best opportunity to commence training and be employed in their preferred employment category.
For more detailed information on the security vetting process and specific clearance level requirements set by AGSVA, please refer to the AGSVA website.
Support will be provided by DFR during the initial application process.
Training
Military Training
The Reserve Entry Officers Course is structured into four phases of training to accommodate the shorter-term availability of Navy Reserve (NR) Officers. The phases consist of:
Duration: 2 weeks (residential)
Includes issue of uniforms and Navy ID card. Subjects covered during the period include: Leadership and Management, Drill, Swim Test, Fitness Test, Equity and Diversity and Security.
Duration: 12 months (by distance learning)
Completion of 8 modules via distance learning packages. Modules are Navy Organisation, Defence Writing, Contemporary Warfare, Navy History, Officer of the Day, Divisional Officer, Defence Force Discipline Act and Maritime Doctrine.
Duration: 2 weeks (residential)
Duration: 2 weeks (residential)
Consisting of a two-week training deployment on a Royal Australian Navy ship at sea and completion of task book.
Officers joining the Navy Reserve must successfully complete each phase within the following time frames:
- Phase 1: within 12 months of appointment
- Phase 2: within 12 months of completing Phase 1
- Phases 3 and 4: Pre-Sea Training and Sea Deployment within two years of joining.
These time frames are considered to be maximum periods. Extensions may be approved for Officers prevented from progressing their training for medical or employment reasons. Documentary evidence must accompany applications for extensions to these time frames. Other special circumstances for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, the maximum time frame to complete the initial training requirements is two years from date of appointment as an Officer in the Navy Reserve.
The purpose of this course is to give new entry Officers a sound understanding of the Royal Australian Navy and what it means to serve as a Navy Officer. The Sea Training Deployment offers a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the life that our sailors lead at sea and gives the new Officer a solid introduction to the Royal Australian Navy maritime environment.
Employment Training
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: Maritime Geospatial Training Centre at HMAS Penguin, Sydney, NSW
The course covers maritime and aviation forecasting, above and below water tactical theory, basic Geospatial Information Systems training and simulated forecasting training. The aim of the course is to qualify you for employment as a forecaster in an operational forecasting unit.
Following successful completion of the military meteorology course, you will be awarded the Primary Qualification of Meteorologist and Oceanographer Reserve.