Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) we will be welcoming expressions of interest from suitably qualified and proficient lifesavers.As a helicopter crew member, you will be expected to complete rostered volunteer helicopter patrols, attend regular training sessions, crew meetings and participate in other activities organised by the Service, noting that the majority of activity is run out of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Bases at Barwon Heads & Moorabbin Airports. Crew are expected to be readily available to attend service activity at both bases. Due to the significant time and cost involved in training crew, a minimum commitment of three (3) years is expected of an applicant, notwithstanding exceptional circumstances.In addition to any helicopter duties, you will be expected to continue to have active involvement in your club and complete your club beach patrol commitments.Candidates should be aware that only limited vacancies are available. It should be noted that the selection process is highly competitive and meeting minimum criteria in no way guarantees acceptance.Recruitment Information SessionThe WLRHS will host a Recruitment Information Session on a date yet to be fixed (further advice and information to circulated prior to the session). The purpose of this session is to help inform potential applicants on the expectations and requirements of helicopter crew. Only members seriously considering submitting an expression of interest should attend this session and they will be required to registered beforehand.Minimum Crew Applicant CriteriaTo be suitable to submit an expression of interest you must meet the following minimum criteria:Be a minimum 19 years of age as at the time of submitting an EOIHave a maximum body weight of 90kgBe a current financial and proficient member of a Life Saving Victoria affiliated Life Saving Club or ServiceHave an excellent record of patrol attendanceHave excellent teamwork skillsCurrent Driver’s LicenseCurrent Working with Children CheckBe proficient in the minimum awards as outlined belowGain written endorsement from Club President, Secretary or Club CaptainBe willing to undertake drug and alcohol testing at commencement of training and each rostered patrolMinimum Lifesaving AwardsIf you do not hold these lifesaving awards prior to the expression of interests closing of the EOI in August, you cannot apply for this position. All awards must be current. Your current details will be extracted from and confirmed by SurfGuard. You must confirm these at portal.sls.com.au prior to making an expression of interest.Bronze MedallionAdvanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID]First Aid [AID]Other awards additional to those specified above will be considered when selecting candidates. Demonstrated Beach Management, IRB & RWC experience, and previous participation at Advanced Lifesaving Camp/Course will be particularly well regarded.Helicopter Crew Fitness/Operational Test RequirementsThe fitness test criteria are continually being reassessed considering the evolving nature of the service. The tests are additional to those normally associated with lifesaving activities. They have and will continue to be designed to ensure that all crew can demonstrate the physical endurance and strength required to carry out Helicopter crew duties safely and efficiently.At a minimum, trainee crew applicants who meet the above crew applicant criteria will be required to complete the following:400m swim within a time limit of no more than seven (7) minutes and thirty (30) seconds6km run within a time limit of no more than seven (7) minutesStep-Off from an elevated platform (being comfortable at heights)5 x wide grip pull ups15 Push UpsOne Person Patient Drag on land200m patient rescue tow in poolRetrieve object from pool depth of 5mCommitment Requirements Crew applicants may be required to undertake one or a series of other assessments from time to time. All applicants must be conscious of operational factors including that;Rostered duty can vary, starting from as early as 7am, or ending as late as 8.30pmRostered duty may result in crew remaining at locations overnightNew trainee crew will be required to be available and flexible for several days for initial training, likely requiring both weekday and weekend availabilityCrew must provide availability for a minimum of 12 shifts spread between Boxing Day and Australia Day and can expect to be rostered on to an average of at least 2 shifts per week during this timeThey must also provide availability for a minimum of 2 shifts per month for the patrol season outside of the peak period and can expect to be rostered to an average of at least 1 shift per monthApplicants must consider that in complying with crew requirements they can still maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyleApplicationsComplete and return the Expression of InterestExpressions of Interest must be received by 11:59pm Sunday 7th AugustApplicants will also need to submit a Resume and Cover Letter as well as the minimum applicant criteria outlined above. The Cover Letter should be no more than one (1) page in length covering the following:Motivation to join the WLRHSExperience in lifesaving operationsWhat attributes you would bring to the teamPlease note that the period dates may be subject to change based on availability.Following WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing, the remaining applicants will again be shortlisted to then participate in a Panel Interview (online) shortly after the fitness testing period.Please note that not everyone who attends the Recruitment Information Session and submits an EOI should expect an invitation to the WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing Session.Likewise, applicants who attend the WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing should not expect to be offered an interview.The applicant will also be evaluated throughout the full duration of the Recruitment Information Session and Operational Fitness Testing Session to test requirements as to their suitability.Please; note not all applicants will be successful, and the selection panel’s decision is final. Additional Applicant ResourcesLSV have prepared resources and programs to assist members to prepare for helicopter recruitment.The LSV Fitness @ Home program contains a fitness training program specific to the helicopter service fitness requirements, we would encourage applicants to utilise this resource to prepare for operational fitness testing:Training Weeks 1-4Training Weeks 5-8LSV Volunteer Training will be running courses and skills maintenance sessions for operational members to prepare for the upcoming season.We would encourage applicants to engage with these opportunities linked here, or to reach out to your Life Saving Club, to ensure all awards are up to date prior to the close of recruitment..

Helicopter Crew Member

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) we will be welcoming expressions of interest from suitably qualified and proficient lifesavers.

As a helicopter crew member, you will be expected to complete rostered volunteer helicopter patrols, attend regular training sessions, crew meetings and participate in other activities organised by the Service, noting that the majority of activity is run out of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Bases at Barwon Heads & Moorabbin Airports. Crew are expected to be readily available to attend service activity at both bases. Due to the significant time and cost involved in training crew, a minimum commitment of three (3) years is expected of an applicant, notwithstanding exceptional circumstances.

In addition to any helicopter duties, you will be expected to continue to have active involvement in your club and complete your club beach patrol commitments.

Candidates should be aware that only limited vacancies are available. It should be noted that the selection process is highly competitive and meeting minimum criteria in no way guarantees acceptance.

Recruitment Information Session

The WLRHS will host a Recruitment Information Session on a date yet to be fixed (further advice and information to circulated prior to the session). The purpose of this session is to help inform potential applicants on the expectations and requirements of helicopter crew. Only members seriously considering submitting an expression of interest should attend this session and they will be required to registered beforehand.

Minimum Crew Applicant Criteria

To be suitable to submit an expression of interest you must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • Be a minimum 19 years of age as at the time of submitting an EOI
  • Have a maximum body weight of 90kg
  • Be a current financial and proficient member of a Life Saving Victoria affiliated Life Saving Club or Service
  • Have an excellent record of patrol attendance
  • Have excellent teamwork skills
  • Current Driver’s License
  • Current Working with Children Check
  • Be proficient in the minimum awards as outlined below
  • Gain written endorsement from Club President, Secretary or Club Captain
  • Be willing to undertake drug and alcohol testing at commencement of training and each rostered patrol

Minimum Lifesaving Awards

If you do not hold these lifesaving awards prior to the expression of interests closing of the EOI in August, you cannot apply for this position. All awards must be current. Your current details will be extracted from and confirmed by SurfGuard. You must confirm these at portal.sls.com.au prior to making an expression of interest.

  • Bronze Medallion
  • Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID]
  • First Aid [AID]

Other awards additional to those specified above will be considered when selecting candidates. Demonstrated Beach Management, IRB & RWC experience, and previous participation at Advanced Lifesaving Camp/Course will be particularly well regarded.

Helicopter Crew Fitness/Operational Test Requirements

The fitness test criteria are continually being reassessed considering the evolving nature of the service. The tests are additional to those normally associated with lifesaving activities. They have and will continue to be designed to ensure that all crew can demonstrate the physical endurance and strength required to carry out Helicopter crew duties safely and efficiently.

At a minimum, trainee crew applicants who meet the above crew applicant criteria will be required to complete the following:

  • 400m swim within a time limit of no more than seven (7) minutes and thirty (30) seconds
  • 6km run within a time limit of no more than seven (7) minutes
  • Step-Off from an elevated platform (being comfortable at heights)
  • 5 x wide grip pull ups
  • 15 Push Ups
  • One Person Patient Drag on land
  • 200m patient rescue tow in pool
  • Retrieve object from pool depth of 5m

Commitment Requirements

Crew applicants may be required to undertake one or a series of other assessments from time to time. All applicants must be conscious of operational factors including that;

  • Rostered duty can vary, starting from as early as 7am, or ending as late as 8.30pm
  • Rostered duty may result in crew remaining at locations overnight
  • New trainee crew will be required to be available and flexible for several days for initial training, likely requiring both weekday and weekend availability
  • Crew must provide availability for a minimum of 12 shifts spread between Boxing Day and Australia Day and can expect to be rostered on to an average of at least 2 shifts per week during this time
  • They must also provide availability for a minimum of 2 shifts per month for the patrol season outside of the peak period and can expect to be rostered to an average of at least 1 shift per month
  • Applicants must consider that in complying with crew requirements they can still maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle

Applications

Complete and return the Expression of Interest

Expressions of Interest must be received by 11:59pm Sunday 7th August

Applicants will also need to submit a Resume and Cover Letter as well as the minimum applicant criteria outlined above. The Cover Letter should be no more than one (1) page in length covering the following:

  • Motivation to join the WLRHS
  • Experience in lifesaving operations
  • What attributes you would bring to the team

Please note that the period dates may be subject to change based on availability.

Following WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing, the remaining applicants will again be shortlisted to then participate in a Panel Interview (online) shortly after the fitness testing period.

Please note that not everyone who attends the Recruitment Information Session and submits an EOI should expect an invitation to the WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing Session.

Likewise, applicants who attend the WLRHS Operational Fitness Testing should not expect to be offered an interview.

The applicant will also be evaluated throughout the full duration of the Recruitment Information Session and Operational Fitness Testing Session to test requirements as to their suitability.

Please; note not all applicants will be successful, and the selection panel’s decision is final.

 

Additional Applicant Resources

LSV have prepared resources and programs to assist members to prepare for helicopter recruitment.

The LSV Fitness @ Home program contains a fitness training program specific to the helicopter service fitness requirements, we would encourage applicants to utilise this resource to prepare for operational fitness testing:

Training Weeks 1-4

Training Weeks 5-8

LSV Volunteer Training will be running courses and skills maintenance sessions for operational members to prepare for the upcoming season.

We would encourage applicants to engage with these opportunities linked here, or to reach out to your Life Saving Club, to ensure all awards are up to date prior to the close of recruitment..