Antarctica's Famous "Penguin Post Office" Is Hiring For The Summer!
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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.
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!
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
- smartestalive7 monthsI LOVE PENGUINS!!!👁💖🐧 My teacher's favorite animal is a PENGUIN!💖🐧
- techfashion03157 monthsWOW! That's so cute!
- kanarr217 monthspenquins are amazing
- emmma7 monthswow
- sammi9897 monthsReasons 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.
- sanabanana17 monthsI want to go there!! 😭🐧
- sparkle_23457 monthsOmg same!
- katss7 monthsSo cool!!!
- ferndeafgal7 monthsThat would be so cool!
- smartestalive7 monthsFor real!!!!💖🐧
- sokeefe4ever7 monthsI know right!
- 10nkbball8 monthsImagine living with penguins lol xd😝
- jaeinroyce8 months#Ilovepenguins #Iwantthatjob!