Photo by: I. Walter | AFD
Opportunities
Seeking a unique adventure as well as employment? How would you like to be one of the few people on the planet to have the opportunity to live and work in Antarctica?
The Antarctic Fire Department is the primary fire/rescue service for the United States Antarctic Program and is a division of Lockheed Martin's Antarctic Support Contract - the primary contractor for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) U.S. Antarctic Program.
The AFD is currently seeking personnel to deploy to Antarctica on a contract basis for various periods of time starting in August each year.
There are three contract lengths:
- Summer - (Approximately) August or October through February
- Winter - (Approximately) February through October
- Year-Long - (Approximately) October through October.
The AFD seeks PRIMARY & ALTERNATE employees to fill all contract positions. The Primary is first in line for the position and the Alternate is next in line to deploy should Primary person be unable to meet position/deployment requirements.
The Antarctic Fire Department is currently seeking qualified applicants for the following available positions:
Firefighter
Responsibilities:
The Firefighter is responsible for implementing the AFD Fire Prevention Plan and ensuring that emergency response equipment is operational within the guidelines stipulated by this plan and the Disaster Preparedness Plan for McMurdo Station.
Implements, as assigned, the fire prevention programs that conform to the United States Antarctic Program, including the operation of contract locations in Antarctica .
Ensures that equipment is operational and able to function within the Fire Prevention and Disaster Preparedness Program for McMurdo Station.
Ensures that emergency equipment under the control of the fire department is operational and in a state of readiness.
Responds to emergencies, disasters and hazardous material spills according to the responsibilities identified in the Disaster Preparedness Plan for McMurdo Station.
Required Qualifications:
- High School Diploma (or equivalent)
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD, or State Certified Firefighter II
- Airport Fire Fighter
- Hazardous Materials First Responder: Operations
- EMT-Basic
- National Incident Management System (NIMS): ICS 100 and 200.
- Valid state driver's license is required.
- Three years previous full time firefighting experience is required (two years volunteer experience or paid on-call time equals one year full time experience)
Desired Qualifications
- Associate of Science degree in Fire Science is preferred
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD or State Certified Driver Operator Pumper/Mobile Water Supply
- Driver Operator ARFF
- EMT-Paramedic
- Hazardous Materials First Responder - Technician
Fire Lieutenant
Responsibilities:
The Lieutenant Firefighter is responsible for implementing the Fire Protection Plan and ensuring emergency response operations are conducted within the guidelines stipulated by this plan and the Disaster reparedness Plan for McMurdo Station.
Implements as assigned, the fire protection programs that conform to the United States Antarctic Program, including the operation of contract locations in Antarctica.
Responsible for day-to-day operations or as directed by the Fire Captain.
Conducts inspections and ensures the operations are conducted according to the Fire Department SOP's and NFPA guidelines.
Ensures that emergency equipment under the control of the fire department is operational and in a state of readiness as determined by the Captain.
Responds to and supervises on emergencies as necessary in accordance with the CEMP.
Responsible for entering reports and documenting calls for service during the course of his/her shift.
Responsible for daily entry of equipment, training data, and all department activities in Firehouse Software.
Performs and supervises training of Fire Department personnel and fire safety training for the community.
Required Qualifications:
- High School Diploma (or equivalent)
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD, or State Certified Firefighter I/II
- Fire Officer I
- Airport Fire Fighter
- Hazardous Materials First Responder: Operations
- EMT-Basic
- National Incident Management System (NIMS): ICS 100 and 200.
- Valid state driver's license is required.
- Four years previous full time firefighting experience is required (two years volunteer experience or paid on-call time equals one year full time experience).
- At least two years of experience as a supervisor.
Desired Qualifications
- Associate of Science degree in Fire Science is preferred
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD or State Certified Driver Operator Pumper/Mobile Water Supply
- Driver Operator ARFF
- EMT-Paramedic
- Hazardous Materials First Responder - Technician
Fire Captain
Responsibilities:
The Fire Captain is responsible for implementing Fire Protection Plans and ensuring those emergency response operations are conducted within the guidelines stipulated by this plan and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).
Implements fire protection programs that conform to the United States Antarctic Program, including the operation of contract locations in Antarctica.
Responds to and/or supervises fire/EMS/Aircraft and hazardous material emergencies, as necessary.
Manages emergencies in accordance with the CEMP and assists the Fire Chief with management of the fire prevention and training programs.
Responsible for the supervision and performance evaluation of fire department lieutenants.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree (Relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of degree)
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD, or State Certified Fire Officer II
- Fire Instructor I
- Airport Fire Fighter
- Hazardous Materials First Responder: Incident Commander
- EMT-Basic (or higher)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS): ICS 100 and 200.
- Valid state driver's license is required.
- Four years of diversified fire fighter experience, including incident command and fire administration, is required (two years volunteer experience or paid on-call time equals one year full time experience).
- At least two years of experience as a supervisor is required.
Desired Qualifications
- Associate of Science degree in Fire Science is preferred
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD or State Certified Driver Operator Pumper/Mobile Water Supply
- Driver Operator ARFF
- Fire Officer III
- Hazardous Materials First Responder - Technician
- Bachelor degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Safety or related field is preferred.
Dispatcher
Responsibilities:
The Dispatcher is responsible for the operation of various communications equipment (including but not limited to both 9-1-1 and administrative phone lines, VHF radios, Zetron radio console and King Fisher fire alarm system) at McMurdo Station.
Serves as the primary point-of-contact (POC) for emergency communication requirements for McMurdo Station.
Answers 9-1-1 and other phone lines taking both emergency and non-emergency calls or service.
Monitors King Fisher fire alarm monitoring system. Also includes some systems that are monitored via phone connections as opposed to the King Fisher system.
Dispatches appropriate personnel (Fire Department and/or Fire Technicians) when appropriate.
Answers and routes off-continent phone calls for work related and emergency contact purposes.
Required Qualifications:
- High school diploma (or equivalent)
- Two years experience in Emergency Service Dispatch (9-1-1) radio operations, communications technology or related field
- IFSAC, Pro-Board/DoD, or State Certified Telecommunicator I/II
- Incident Command System (ICS) 100 and 200 certifications required for offer consideration (training offered online through FEMA).
- Basic computer skills required, including Word, Excel and e-mail applications.
If you are interested in applying for a position with the department, visit https://www.pae.com/career to search for available openings. Once the department has received your application from the Human Resources department, and you meet minimum qualifications, a department representative will contact you. Hard Copy Resumes Are Not Accepted.
Additional Polar Info
All contract positions include competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
For the time you are in Antarctica compensation also includes travel to and from the ice, room & board, and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus upon successful completion of your contract.
FYI - Only authorized personnel are allowed on station and you need to remain on station for the duration of your contract except in case of emergency.
Check out the USAP website at http://www.usap.gov.
All applicants must be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency once employment is offered and pass strict physical, dental, and psychological (for winter-over positions) examinations in order to qualify for deployment.
Offers of employment are also contingent upon ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in withdrawal of employment offer or other employment action.
All employees must also comply with applicable safety, environment, health, and waste management policies and procedures.
If you like to live on the edge and are interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - go to https://www.pae.com/career and apply today.
Lockheed Martin ASC, PAE Group, and the USAP are all an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor.
