Vacancy at UK Antarctic Heritage Trust
Job Title: Port Lockroy Base Leader
Reporting to: Head of Operations
Job Role: Manage a small team to deliver the seasonal summer operation of Port Lockroy, Antarctica.
Responsibilities:
Supporting UKAHT by:
• Actively managing the base and team on site throughout the occupancy period (November to early March)
• Coordinating contract staff on site that may be there for shorter periods of time to carry out other work, such as an electrical maintenance program
• Working alongside the Conservation Project Manager (when on site) or conservation staff to coordinate the conservation maintenance programme and ensure this fit within the Port Lockroy daily schedule
• Leading or co-leading a brief daily morning meeting to ensure all staff on site are aware of plans for the day and discuss any health & safety matters
• Ensuring all staff on site have a site safety induction and are all familiar with how to use all the communications equipment on site
• Taking the lead on site in the event of an emergency and act as the key point of contact with the UKAHT Operations team in the UK
• Acting as the key point of contact and maintain regular and clear communications with the UKAHT Operations team in the UK
• Overseeing the workload and responsibilities of all members of the team and assist where necessary
• Coordinating all vessel visits to the island in adherence to Antarctic Treaty guidelines
• Ensuring the team always operates in a safe and diligent manner and in line with all UKAHT Health, Safety & Welfare policies and guidelines
• Managing all day to day on health & safety matters on site, working closely with the UKAHT Operations Manager
• Reporting back and health & safety incidents as soon as possible to the UKAHT Operations Manager
• Adhering to all Standard Operating Procedures and risk assessments and update these as required throughout the season
• Overseeing onsite inventories and ensure there are updated as necessary
• Managing the annual work task list and assist in all maintenance tasks as necessary
• Liaising with Expedition Leaders to arrange appropriate pre-landing briefings and lectures on board ship where possible
• Overseeing the museum display in accordance with the guidelines given
• Liaising with Expedition Leader/ships to arrange taking a mobile shop and post-office on-board larger vessels (up to 500 pax)
• Taking responsibility for ensuring good time management, both short term and long term, to ensure all tasks are completed within the season
• Learn and be prepared to promote UKAHT through your daily dealings with visitors to Port Lockroy. This should include the history of Port Lockroy and other British historic bases on the Peninsula including Operation Tabarin, FIDS, Antarctic Science and the current heritage and conservation work of UKAHT
• Ensuring the reputation of UKAHT is always maintained and enhanced through our work
• Working flexibly with colleagues in the wider support of the aims of UKAHT
As well as the above Base Leader duties, you will also assist in operating the Port Lockroy gift shop and management of all cash and credit card transactions to include:
• Liaising with International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) ship Hotel Manager’s for any on-board sales of stamps or merchandise, or banking facilities
• Assist in the operation of the Shop at Port Lockroy
• Assist in the operation of the Post Office on behalf of the British Antarctic Territory Government (BATG). This includes managing all postal stock, promoting and selling all postal stamps, hand franking all mail processed through the Post Office (up to 80,000 pieces of mail seasonally) and coordinating transport of mail and producing an annual sales report
• Assist in the penguin and other wildlife and environmental monitoring on behalf of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). A post season report will be required by the end of March
• museum display and interpretive material
• Assist in the management of day-to-day supplies (non-merchandise) including controlling the stock of food, equipment, tools in the base inventory etc.
• Take a proactive part in all aspects of daily living on an Antarctic base to include all domestic jobs such as cleaning, cooking, waste management as well as daily snow digging, clearing of paths and other jobs which may arise
• Delivering regular briefing talks to all visiting vessels prior to them landing at Port Lockroy (without aids to audiences of up to 250 people) and be prepared to deliver occasional lectures/talks when requested
• Creating engaging content for our communications and social media to include a weekly blog written from Antarctica and occasional participation in other media such as radio, TV and newspaper interviews pre, during and post the Antarctic season
All pre-deployment travel (within the UK), training and accommodation needed as part of the role are covered by UKAHT.
During Antarctic deployment, all travel, food, accommodation and essential polar clothing are provided.
Application Process
Please read the Application Pack before you apply.
To apply, please complete an application form and upload this to our HR portal BreatheHR by Monday 25th April at 23:59.
You must be available to attend the mandatory interview and selection on the 19th & 20th May 2022.
If appointed, you must also be available to attend the mandatory training week scheduled for October 15th - 21st, 2022 in Cambridge, UK. The training will include a 2 day (16 hour) bespoke outdoor first aid course.
A reasonable contribution to UK travel expenses will be made for training (please note that we do not reimburse international travel expenses).
Right to Work Documentation:
All successful applicants must have the right to work in the UK. You must provide evidence of this.
Applications are made on an individual basis. We cannot accept joint applications.
Medical Requirements:
To work in Antarctica, you must be deemed medically fit. Therefore, upon appointment, you will be required to complete a confidential medical screening with our Occupational Health Team. There may also be additional requirements due to Covid-19.
The team share meals and cooking duties and it is very hard to cater for special dietary requirements, food allergies and/or intolerances.
UKAHT can cater to vegetarians at Port Lockroy, but other dietary requirements are challenging to accommodate. This is due to the team sharing meals, time available to prepare food and the type of food available. Please consider this before applying.
Non-Smoking:
Port Lockroy is a non-smoking environment. Smoking (traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and any other form of inhalation/vapors) is categorically prohibited at the site.
First Aid:
•Given the remote location, it would be desirable for applicants to hold a remote first aid qualification. However, if selected, you will be required to attend a 2-day (16 hour) Bespoke Outdoor First Aid course during training in October.
| Title | File |
|---|---|
| Job Applicatant Privacy Notice | Job_Applicant_Privacy_Notice_(1).pdf |
| Information Pack | Port_Lockroy_Base_Leader_2022_Information_Pack.pdf |