The Unemployment Chronicles: Unusual Employment (Jan. 23, 2009)
Guest contributor
I was all set to write this week’s column on the topic of “Networking To Find Employment,” when I was struck by a job listed on the Craigslist.com Web site. It is not every day that you see a job listing titled “Unusual Employment – Adventure in Antarctica for Lead Janitor.” My curiosity was piqued. It was not that I had any interest in venturing to the far reaches of the globe, and my family can attest to the fact that housecleaning is not my strong suit. Maybe it was the monotony of responding to all of those conventional job postings for weeks that drove me to it. I clicked on the Antarctic janitor posting.
“Only a few people on this planet will qualify for the opportunity we provide to live and work near the geographic South Pole on the continent of Antarctica. Could you be one of them?” the job listing began. “I doubt it,” I answered my computer. I can’t imagine living in a place that is home to far more penguins than people.
The Craigslist description explained that the employer was hoping to fill a janitorial position located at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It went on to state that they need “Primary and Alternate employees to fill all contract positions. Primaries are first in line for the position and alternates are next in line to deploy if the primary person be unable to meet position or deployment requirements.”
“Now wait a minute,” I thought. “Just how many applicants do they expect for a position in Antarctica anyway? ‘Primaries’ and ‘alternates’ make it sound like there is a line of polar janitor hopefuls winding its way around McMurdo Station, just waiting for a hiring cattle call. (Or perhaps they call them “penguin calls” down there . . .) Are there really that many people dying to scrub floors and toilets in sub-zero temperatures? (This was one of the duties in the actual job description).
I read through the rest of the job description, which basically sounded like a houseboy on a cruise, except that the “ship” was perched on a glacier, and if you went outside, you risked frostbite. So, let’s say you applied for this plumb position and were hired. After receiving an offer of employment, applicants must pass: “a pre-employment background check, a pre-employment drug screen, and stringent physical and dental examinations.”
I had seen one of those specials on the Weather Channel that dealt with life on an Antarctic station, and this statement brought back scenes of a woman being airlifted from the station due to a health issue that had worsened and become life-threatening without hospital care. They had to wait for weeks before the weather conditions would allow a Medevac airplane to make a daring landing on the ice cap and whisk the woman to a hospital for medical care. Now, picture me this past Thanksgiving with a miserable toothache that required an immediate root canal. Five months at an Arctic station without my endodontist? No way!
Finally, there was the “NOTE” (yes, in caps) at the end of the job description: “Your spouse, children, friends, pets, etc. are not allowed to travel to Antarctica at any point during your contract.” What?! Enjoy those long, cold Arctic nights without my family? Desert my cats Atticus and Amelia for five months in deep freeze exile? Who wouldn’t want this job? Suddenly the jobs I’ve been applying for look particularly appealing.
Gup-Mathews invites readers to send thoughts regarding unemployment to her at “The Write Impression” at www.writeimpressionmaine.com.
I wanted to respond to a few things I read in your article. I was a first year Antarctica jano last year, with very little previous cleaning experience. Being a jano in Antarctica is not as dirty or nasty as one may think. I am now in my 2nd season with the same company. Also, I do not like winters and I do not like being cold. Strangely enough, I love it down here. You do not risk frostbite by going outside here. There are several days, in fact, where we walk from building to building in just t-shirts or sweatshirts. It's not that cold here! We do have cold days, but I can remember weeks in the Midwest that were more harsh than what I experience here. Hikes are a daily activity for most people. The trails here are incredible. Some short, some long, but all very possible for all activity levels.
We do have many, many applicants and thousands more for various other positions. Find out more about the opportunities here before criticizing! Financially for example, you have no cost of living. Everything you need to live (with exception to shampoo, toothpaste, etc) they provide for you - housing, food, snacks, even laundry detergent! All travel, to and from the ice is paid for. I've had 2 vacations (in a years time) in the South Pacific and have become a certified diver, neither of which most people would be able to afford to do in a years time if this opportunity didn't bring them to this side of the world. The view of the mountains is like no other. The cross-country skiing is remarkable. Last year, I shot video of whales swimming in the bay, a 2-minute walk away! The community is amazing. There are more talented people in this community than I have ever met anywhere else. We have dance parties, art shows, bluegrass & rock bands, painters, sculptors, you name it, and we have it! This community could be anywhere in the world, it is no different. Except that, it is here. Many people participate in more activities here than they ever do back home, both indoor and outdoor activities. I have over 1200 pictures from last season alone!
And yes, as with any community, someone can and will either become ill or injure themselves. However, VERY rarely do planes not come or go for more than a day or two. And while waiting to board one of our planes, the medical staff provided at McMurdo General is excellent. Yes – we actually have a small hospital.
In addition, I have a cat and she still loves me, just as much as I love her. And she will be there waiting for me when I return :)
This is an amazing opportunity and one that many, many people try for and never get to experience. We have people with master’s degrees washing dishes in our galley, just to get down here!
Anyone up for an adventure would truly love this experience. Whether they do it once for a short 4-month contract, or continue to come down simply because they enjoy the lifestyle. Kudos to those who have made it down here with me and best of luck to all those who would like to!
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Thanks for responding to my column Antarctica Jano! You certainly changed the mental picture I had of life "down there!" I guess my preconceptions were formed by both popular media and my mother's recent (very brief) visit to Antarctica. It's good to hear from someone who is "living it!" Sounds like you have a lot more going on there socially and culturally, but it's hard for me to imagine how you could have all those painters, sculptors, musicians, etc. unless these folks were actually stationed there and functioning in other professional capacities? Do they fly these people in for a gig or what? Also, I'm from Ohio originally, and Maine now, and it's hard for me to believe that a good bit of your weather isn't more intense than a midwest or northeast winter. Maybe global warming has kicked in more than I thought! Anyway, thanks again for opening my eyes to life in the real Antarctica!
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