Antarctica's Famous "Penguin Post Office" Is Hiring For The Summer!

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The "Penguin Post Office" is looking for five employees for the upcoming summer season (Credit: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust/ CC-BY-SA-4.0)

The United Kingdom (UK) Antarctic Heritage Trust is looking to hire five people — a base leader, a shop manager, and three general assistants — to work at the "Penguin Post Office" in Port Lockroy, Antarctica. The five-month stint is open to UK residents over the age of 18. It will begin in early November 2024 and last until March 2025.

Responsibilities will include sorting the over 80,000 letters and postcards sent by the 18,000 tourists who visit the world's southernmost post office each summer. Employees will also help sell postage stamps, run the small onsite gift shop, and look after the aging building. But their most important duty will be to keep track of Port Lockroy's colony of about 1,500 gentoo penguins.

The Postal employees will have to sort thousands of postcards and letters (Credit: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust/ CC-BY-SA 4.0)

Exciting as it may sound, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust warns applicants that the jobs are not for the faint of heart. Even during summer, temperatures on the icy continent can dip as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 5 degrees Celsius). Additionally, the five people will live in a single bedroom with a tiny gas-powered kitchen. There is no flushing toilet either. Instead, staffers will use a camping toilet, which must be emptied daily.

There is limited phone and Internet access and no running water. Visiting ships provide water in jerry cans and also offer staffers showers every few days. But in poor weather conditions, they may have to do without a shower for extended periods. With the closest hospital in Argentina, medical evacuations could take up to a week! However, the biggest challenge will be the smell of penguin poop that will engulf them for five months!

The employees will all live together in one bedroom (Credit: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust/ CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Despite these drawbacks, the positions, which open up every summer, receive thousands of applications each year. Camilla Nichol, the Trust's CEO, is not surprised. She believes that for the right individuals, the jobs provide "[a] unique opportunity to live in a landscape that makes you feel pure awe and wonder, where pioneering generations have gone before us, making groundbreaking discoveries about our planet."

Resources: NPR.com, NYpost.com, bas.ac.uk, CNN.com

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26 Comments
  • smartestalive
    I LOVE PENGUINS!!!👁💖🐧 My teacher's favorite animal is a PENGUIN!💖🐧
    • techfashion0315
      WOW! That's so cute!
      • kanarr21
        kanarr217 months
        penquins are amazing
        • emmma
          emmma7 months
          wow
          • sammi989
            sammi9897 months
            Reasons why I like this article 1. The Penguin Post Office in Antarctica is a unique and fascinating place that captures the imagination of people all over the world. The idea of a post office located in one of the most remote and icy regions of the planet is intriguing in itself. The fact that they are hiring for the summer season adds an element of excitement and adventure to the story. 2. Working at the Penguin Post Office offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience life in Antarctica and interact with the adorable penguins that call the region home. The job requires individuals to handle the mail that comes through the post office and assist visitors who come to send postcards stamped with the official penguin postmark. It is a chance to be part of something truly special and make memories that will last a lifetime. 3. The Penguin Post Office hiring for the summer season also highlights the importance of tourism in Antarctica. As the demand for travel to this remote continent grows, so does the need for services and facilities that cater to visitors. By learning about the job opportunities available at the Penguin Post Office, readers can gain insight into the diverse range of experiences that Antarctica has to offer beyond its stunning landscapes and wildlife. 4. Overall, the story of Antarctica's famous Penguin Post Office hiring for the summer season is a feel-good and inspiring topic to read about. It showcases the spirit of adventure and exploration that drives people to seek out new and exciting opportunities, even in the most extreme environments. It also serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of our natural world, and the importance of preserving and protecting it for future generations to enjoy.
            • sanabanana1
              sanabanana17 months
              I want to go there!! 😭🐧
            • katss
              katss7 months
              So cool!!!
              • ferndeafgal
                ferndeafgal7 months
                That would be so cool!
              • 10nkbball
                10nkbball8 months
                Imagine living with penguins lol xd😝
                • jaeinroyce
                  jaeinroyce8 months
                  #Ilovepenguins #Iwantthatjob!