Waste Management Specialist - (Winter 2027) - Palmer Station

Season: Winter (April - October)
Location: Palmer Station, Antarctica

About the Role

This position is with Six Mile, LLC in Antarctica, focusing on waste management and environmental safety at Palmer Station.

Responsibilities

• Act as point of contact for Waste Management; attend weekly staff meetings and teleconferences.
• Collect and package all solid and hazardous wastes on station for shipment.
• Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) associated with position duties.
• Ensure proper documentation and timely filing of all paperwork.
• Review and update Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binders and computer folders.
• Use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for various tasks (e.g., gloves, respirator, safety glasses).
• Quality check all shipping containers and correct discrepancies immediately.
• Process hazardous and radioactive waste per SOPs, including marking, labeling, weighing, and storing drums or items into shipping containers.
• Perform qualitative testing on items (e.g., pH testing, flash point testing).
• Consolidate and labpack wastes as required per profile and classification.
• Safely operate equipment on station (e.g., SkyTraks, ATVs).
• Store processed hazardous wastes according to segregation requirements.
• Maintain accurate and updated waste inventory records.
• Perform quality-assurance checks on inventory database and files.
• Provide hazardous waste, solid waste, and spill briefings.
• Act as Spill Team Lead for the entire station; write spill reports and conduct trainings and drills.
• Organize, orient, and train members of the Spill Team for outside spill response; coordinate with visiting vessel staff as applicable.
• Maintain inventory of spill supplies in spill-vans and satellite spill kits.
• Assist station mechanic with weekly station fueling activities.
• Maintain and deploy spill-boom supplies for station fueling.
• Assist with general station needs, including snow removal, radio communications, mini-GASH, GASH, and House Mouse activities.
• Conduct community Waste Briefs or other informational sessions as necessary.
• Collect and process Resale Items as needed; maintain Maximo Resale work orders and provide end-of-season report to McMurdo Resale Admin and ASC Property Manager.
• Maintain a flexible schedule based on Vessel Operations, unusual hours, and other station-wide activities.
• Ensure seasonal replacement receives proper training and maintain a log of this information.
• Troubleshoot issues and escalate as needed.
• Perform manual labor (e.g., shoveling) for several hours if required.
• Regularly use drum dollies, cargo straps, banding, shovels, pallet jacks, power tools, and other equipment.
• Engage in regular physical activity, including bending, lifting, carrying, reaching, and gripping.
• Display self-motivation in a physically challenging and atypical work environment; approximately 70% of tasks are outdoors.
• Maintain flexibility and a positive attitude in a dynamic, fast-paced work setting.
• Perform duties in support of Operations Division metrics as provided by supervisor.
• Support the achievement of ASC metrics, whether directly or indirectly impacted by this position.
• Comply with all ASC Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance requirements and goals; provide necessary documentation.
• Work to achieve ASC goals and contractual commitments.
• Prioritize safety in the workplace.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• 2 years (or Antarctic seasons) of USAP Waste Management experience.
• College degree (2 additional years of experience may substitute).
• Strong computer software experience.
• Able to lift 50 pounds consistently and wear a respirator.
• Valid Driver’s License and Passport valid for six months after contract end.
• Physically able to be active for 9 hours daily.
• Able to lift the safety regulation maximum.
• Must pass physical qualification assessment.
• Able to deploy to Antarctica for the length of the contract.
• US citizenship or permanent residency required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year of Hazardous Materials shipping/characterization or reporting experience, or 2 years of Environmental remediation.
• 1 year of supervisory experience.
• 1 year of High School Chemistry or equivalent, or 1 quarter of college General Chemistry.
• College degree in Chemistry or Environmental Science.
• OSHA HazWOPER 40-Hour certification (current).
• Familiarity with power tools and machinery.
• Equipment operating experience.
• Previous management or supervisory experience.