Ever thought about the "Penguin Post Office" in Antarctica? Despite challenges, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust gets hundreds of global applications for this unique opportunity, managing visitors and contributing to environmental data.
World’s Most Remote Post Office Has Very Unique Job Description
What if you were employed at the most isolated post office on Earth? It comes with a very unusual job description, as you would probably think with such a unique position.
One might not have much interest in a position that is somewhat remote and offers nothing in the way of facilities nearby.
Truly, though, you'd be shocked at how many individuals apply to work at Antarctica's Port Lockroy—dubbed the "Penguin Post Office" in recent years.
The structure has been in that region of the world for about eight decades, so it is genuinely steeped in history.
Now held by the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust, the 'size of a football field' area is also a museum.
Four postmasters are employed by the British charity, according to the Washington Post, to reside on the island and work in the post office from November through March every year.
While each employee will have a distinct job in the organization, they are all ultimately in charge of handling the thousands of visitors that come to that region of Antarctica each year and keeping the facility in good condition.
The job description's section on the local wildlife, however, maybe the most distinctive.
When seeking employment in a post office, what primary responsibilities do you anticipate carrying out? Issuing foreign currency and collecting letters are perhaps the first things that come to mind.
You will be counting penguins with this post office as part of the necessary environmental data collecting, though.
Successful applicants will undoubtedly not be living in luxury, however, since their five months of housing would consist of sharing a tiny lodge with three other people.
In addition, there is no internet or cellular service, running water, or phone coverage at the digs.
The trust's CEO, Camilla Nichol, stated to The Washington Post: "Living there is quite hard work. You might be working 12-hour days. There's not much time for rest and relaxation."
Not quite what you would call luxurious, is it? One would assume that this would discourage many people from applying.
Even yet, the organization continues to get hundreds of applications each year; in fact, in one year that broke records, over 2,500 people apparently applied.
"We get people of all ages from all over the world," Nichol added.
"We are looking for people who are fit and resilient and really love meeting people and visitors."
Base leader Lucy Dorman, who worked at Port Lockroy in 2019–2020, noted how difficult the job is, saying, "There's a lot of carrying things around."
According to her explanation, employees would be required to haul 'boxes, buckets, and jerrycans through the snow or over dangerous rocks on most days'.
Dorman said that "brushing penguin poop off rocks" takes a lot of time.
She emphasized: "The most important thing is to pick people who will get along."
Regretfully, the deadline for applications has passed, but don't forget to check the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust website for information on how to apply next year.