Agricultural Plant Mechanic
| Posting date: | 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,224 to £31,183 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 May 2026 |
| Location: | Cambridge, Cambridgeshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | British Antarctic Survey |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 2189 |
Summary
Purpose
The main duties of this role is to be able to carry out Machine Plant Diagnostics, Servicing and Repairs to, Agricultural, Industrial, Snowmobile Equipment to the highest standard. Vehicle servicing is undertaken to makers' recommendations and is based on elapsed hours. To aid this system, daily logs are required to be kept, listing hours run, fuel used, oil, repairs completed, and any problems encountered. Vehicle servicing may range from the simplest operations at short intervals (oils, filters, adjustments etc.) to complete engine and final drive overhauls. There is also a requirement to operate the vehicles and plant periodically for snow clearing operations. I.e., Snowblower / Bulldozer / Cranes etc. for which specific courses and instructions will be given either pre-deployment or after arrival on station.
Halley is our most southerly base and is built on a permanent ice shelf where vehicles are essential to the continued running of the station. Here all vehicles are tracked, and range from Bulldozers, Mobile Cranes, Tucker Sno-Cats, PistenBullys, and snowmobiles. At Rothera, on the Antarctic Peninsula, the vehicles are used to support a large air assisted field programme. The station has a large number of 2-stroke and 4-stroke snowmobiles, which are used in these programmes during the summer and winter months. Each station holds a comprehensive stock of spares for the different types of vehicles catering for all normal repairs, though in our experience the most unusual failures do sometimes occur, and so great reliance is placed on mechanics to "engineer" themselves out of trouble. A combined stock check and re-ordering system is employed, and it is essential that this is conscientiously followed and organised part stocks maintained on base.
Although the mechanics working on fixed and mobile plant each have their own responsibilities, they are expected to work together and provide engineering support, which is essential to the running of the station. You will need to promote and present a professional image and offer service solutions to other departments and frequently liaise with Vehicles Management team. This will be a challenging and demanding opportunity in an extreme and isolated environment, therefore a positive attitude and a flexible approach are the two most valuable attributes you can possess in these roles.
Duties
Service and maintain equipment to the manufacturers’ specifications
Operate mobile plant when required for snow clearance and general station maintenance
To carry out repairs to the highest standard
Keep garage and workshops in a safe and tidy condition
Maintain detailed spare parts inventory
Build strong and positive relationships with all departments
Feedback any important information to Vehicles management
To promote BAS in a professional manner
Continually look to develop yourself through courses and other media when available
Maintain and improve vehicles section profile
Carry out all work practices in line with company health and safety policy
Contribute to overall success of operations through teamwork and good communication within BAS
Assist with other station duties as directed by line management
Responsible for the provision of the station’s vehicles, and mobile plant equipment
In addition to the duties of maintaining vehicles, the Agricultural Plant Mechanics may be called upon to utilise their skills as general engineers for the other base disciplines, such as carrying out small modification or repairs to scientific equipment. The other shared duties on the station include kitchen assistance, housekeeping duties, Sunday cook and night fire watch etc. These are allocated on a rota basis and are shared by all station members.
Other responsibilities will include:
The reporting of major problems to the Head of Vehicles Engineering at Cambridge and the Vehicles Engineering Manager on site
The care, use, and re-ordering of the maintenance materials and spare parts
The upkeep of the workshop and tools
Simple monthly and annual reports of machinery hours run, and work completed
Working with other staff to ensure the operational and safety standards of the station are maintained
Undertaking general duties as required by the Vehicles Engineering Manager and Station Leader
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
Clean driving license and good driving record
Wide range of relevant experience in the maintenance / overhaul of contractor’s plant, farm machinery or heavy vehicles
Able to convey technical problems/information
Proficient in written and spoken English language
Capable working individually and as part of a team
Capable of controlling a varied fleet of vehicles, diesel generators, and ancillary plant
Familiar with P.P.M.
Ability to adapt successfully to changing situations and environments
To communicate efficiently and express your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels
Ability to manage time effectively
Ability to gather information systematically to establish facts and principles for problem solving
Excellent technical diagnostics skills
Ability to use initiative, identify opportunities and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions
You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions
Desirable
C&G / N.V.Q. / B. TECH or equivalent, in a mechanical discipline
Able to work unsupervised
Able to produce reports
Consultative decision-making style
Able to interpret technical manuals and simple schematics
The main duties of this role is to be able to carry out Machine Plant Diagnostics, Servicing and Repairs to, Agricultural, Industrial, Snowmobile Equipment to the highest standard. Vehicle servicing is undertaken to makers' recommendations and is based on elapsed hours. To aid this system, daily logs are required to be kept, listing hours run, fuel used, oil, repairs completed, and any problems encountered. Vehicle servicing may range from the simplest operations at short intervals (oils, filters, adjustments etc.) to complete engine and final drive overhauls. There is also a requirement to operate the vehicles and plant periodically for snow clearing operations. I.e., Snowblower / Bulldozer / Cranes etc. for which specific courses and instructions will be given either pre-deployment or after arrival on station.
Halley is our most southerly base and is built on a permanent ice shelf where vehicles are essential to the continued running of the station. Here all vehicles are tracked, and range from Bulldozers, Mobile Cranes, Tucker Sno-Cats, PistenBullys, and snowmobiles. At Rothera, on the Antarctic Peninsula, the vehicles are used to support a large air assisted field programme. The station has a large number of 2-stroke and 4-stroke snowmobiles, which are used in these programmes during the summer and winter months. Each station holds a comprehensive stock of spares for the different types of vehicles catering for all normal repairs, though in our experience the most unusual failures do sometimes occur, and so great reliance is placed on mechanics to "engineer" themselves out of trouble. A combined stock check and re-ordering system is employed, and it is essential that this is conscientiously followed and organised part stocks maintained on base.
Although the mechanics working on fixed and mobile plant each have their own responsibilities, they are expected to work together and provide engineering support, which is essential to the running of the station. You will need to promote and present a professional image and offer service solutions to other departments and frequently liaise with Vehicles Management team. This will be a challenging and demanding opportunity in an extreme and isolated environment, therefore a positive attitude and a flexible approach are the two most valuable attributes you can possess in these roles.
Duties
Service and maintain equipment to the manufacturers’ specifications
Operate mobile plant when required for snow clearance and general station maintenance
To carry out repairs to the highest standard
Keep garage and workshops in a safe and tidy condition
Maintain detailed spare parts inventory
Build strong and positive relationships with all departments
Feedback any important information to Vehicles management
To promote BAS in a professional manner
Continually look to develop yourself through courses and other media when available
Maintain and improve vehicles section profile
Carry out all work practices in line with company health and safety policy
Contribute to overall success of operations through teamwork and good communication within BAS
Assist with other station duties as directed by line management
Responsible for the provision of the station’s vehicles, and mobile plant equipment
In addition to the duties of maintaining vehicles, the Agricultural Plant Mechanics may be called upon to utilise their skills as general engineers for the other base disciplines, such as carrying out small modification or repairs to scientific equipment. The other shared duties on the station include kitchen assistance, housekeeping duties, Sunday cook and night fire watch etc. These are allocated on a rota basis and are shared by all station members.
Other responsibilities will include:
The reporting of major problems to the Head of Vehicles Engineering at Cambridge and the Vehicles Engineering Manager on site
The care, use, and re-ordering of the maintenance materials and spare parts
The upkeep of the workshop and tools
Simple monthly and annual reports of machinery hours run, and work completed
Working with other staff to ensure the operational and safety standards of the station are maintained
Undertaking general duties as required by the Vehicles Engineering Manager and Station Leader
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
Essential
Clean driving license and good driving record
Wide range of relevant experience in the maintenance / overhaul of contractor’s plant, farm machinery or heavy vehicles
Able to convey technical problems/information
Proficient in written and spoken English language
Capable working individually and as part of a team
Capable of controlling a varied fleet of vehicles, diesel generators, and ancillary plant
Familiar with P.P.M.
Ability to adapt successfully to changing situations and environments
To communicate efficiently and express your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels
Ability to manage time effectively
Ability to gather information systematically to establish facts and principles for problem solving
Excellent technical diagnostics skills
Ability to use initiative, identify opportunities and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions
You will need to pass a medical test to demonstrate that you are medically fit to work in Antarctic conditions
Desirable
C&G / N.V.Q. / B. TECH or equivalent, in a mechanical discipline
Able to work unsupervised
Able to produce reports
Consultative decision-making style
Able to interpret technical manuals and simple schematics
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.