Counting penguins, managing the southernmost post office in the world, but also welcoming visitors: three positions are to be filled with as many unusual tasks in Antarctica, provided you agree to live in fairly modest conditions.
The jobs have been advertised by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which is seeking a Base Manager, Store Manager and General Assistant at its Port Lockroy site, a historic UK base on Goudier Island.
Among the tasks described, the organization is looking for people who will be able to manage postal stocks and process the 80,000 letters that pass through this post office in addition to selling stamps.
With nearly 18,000 visitors disembarking from cruise ships each year, employees must also be able to run the store and maintain the buildings as well as help with penguin monitoring.
A more than modest daily life
Before accepting such a job, however, you must agree to let go of your comfort of life. Shared room, showers accessible once a week, no telephone and camping toilets to empty are some conditions to take into consideration.
You must also be in very good physical shape in order to be able to work in this environment, suggests the organization.
“This includes carrying 20 liter jerry cans of water, lifting and carrying 15 kg boxes, digging lots of snow each day, cutting steps in the snow and ice for visitors can disembark safely, unload boats on slippery rocks,” it is explained in the job offers.
It is also not recommended to apply if one has any food allergies or intolerances as they are “extremely difficult to take into account”. Food is provided by the United Kingdom and consists of dry and canned foods, with some fresh foods delivered by visiting ships.
“It’s a remote, but hectic, rudimentary, but comfortable place, which resembles life on a boat. You are in a tiny place, surrounded by water and you can’t get off!” summarized a recent team of employees on the island.
Salaries range from £1,375 ($2,368) per month for general assistant, £1,710 ($2,945) per month for store manager and £1,985 ($3,419) per month for store manager. basic leader.