Strange job in the most remote place in the world

Newspaper The Washington Post recently announced that four candidates will be selected to take on the job at the post office in the most remote Port Lockroy in the world, also known as the “Penguin Post Office”.

This nearly 80-year-old building is located on the British island of Goudier – which is the size of a football field and is home to hundreds of penguins. The post office is managed by the Antarctic Heritage Commission (UKAHT – UK).

Each year, UKAHT employs four people to work at the post office from November to March. They are tasked with maintaining this historic site and serving thousands of visitors arriving by boat/boat. Postal workers are also in charge of wildlife monitoring – including penguins – and environmental data collection.

The island of Goudier is inhabited by hundreds of penguins. Photo: UKAHT

Candidates applying to the post office are warned that this strange job is not a “dream” job. They will have no tap water, no internet and no cell phones for 5 months.

The postal workers live in the same small house, sleep in bunk beds and share bathrooms and toilets. UKAHT chief executive Camilla Nichol says living here can be tough as you can work 12 hours a day and don’t have much time to rest and relax.

Even so, the post office in Port Lockroy still attracts hundreds of applicants every year. Ms. Nichol shared: “Candidates of all ages and backgrounds all over the world. We are looking for consistent and consistent people who really enjoy meeting people and tourists.”

Four vacancies include team leader, manager and 2 assistants. They must be eligible to work in the UK and the deadline to apply is April 25. Those selected will undergo a week-long training course in Cambridge, then head to Antarctica in October and stay until March 2023.

Depending on the position, the salary ranges from about 1,600-2,300 USD/month. Contract lasts 6 months, including 1 month of training.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 at the end of 2019, the post office in Port Lockroy has been closed to visitors and is expected to reopen this year.

The Post Office in Port Lockroy has been closed to visitors for more than two years. Photo: UKAHT

Post office applicants are warned it’s not a “dream job”. Photo: UKAHT

Port Lockroy was formed in 1944, as part of the British government’s secret World War II mission called “Operation Tabarin” to strengthen the country’s sovereignty over the region and establish a permanent presence. far in Antarctica.

The Post Office in Port Lockroy handles an average of 80,000 letters per season, all written by visitors. Meanwhile, Goudier Island is where the Antarctic Survey (UK) was born. It has also served as an important center for atmospheric science research for nearly two decades.

In 1995, Port Lockroy was converted into a historic site. In 1996, a museum was established, surrounded by a majestic glacier. Each season of the year, Port Lockroy welcomes about 18,000 visitors, half of which are from the United States.

Postal workers must know the history of Port Lockroy to guide and explain to visitors. They are also asked to be ready to face physical and mental challenges.

In addition to their day-to-day duties, they are also responsible for the general cleanliness of the area, including removing penguin feathers from rocks, and monitoring penguin population growth or decline, in conjunction with the Surveying Service. British Antarctica.

Mrs. Lucy Dorman (right). Photo: UKAHT

Lucy Dorman, who worked as a team leader at the post office in Port Lockroy in 2019-2020, said she was very excited about the opportunity to live in this wildlife place. Dorman also says that she accepts a slower and less hectic lifestyle and is eager to immerse herself in Port Lockroy’s history.

“The most important thing is to pick people who will get along well. During the training week you get to understand everyone’s habits and quirks. We are looking for a team of four that we can live and work with. each other,” said Mrs. Dorman.

Upon arriving on the island, Dorman and her colleagues quickly realized “it’s not all snow and penguins”. They document their experiences in a seasonal blog and realize it’s a lot of hard work.

“While many applicants are initially drawn to the penguins, the overall experience offers a different perspective on the world and a new perspective on your role on the planet,” concludes Nichols. essay.