One of the great things about the phrase “penguin-rich” is that it applies to relatively few people or places. Alas, I’m not one of them (penguin-poor?) but if I lived and worked on South Georgia Island, I’d be practically rolling in them.
The glut of flightless ice birds is just about the only thing to recommend South Georgia Island. Wikipedia describes the place as “remote and inhospitable” in the second sentence. All of which is a long way of getting around to asking you this question: Would you like to be a postal worker there?
Thirty humans, countless penguins
Along with the South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia is a self-governing British territory, and its government is looking for two postal workers to take up residence on the island from September 25, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
Suppose you’re one of those unique characters whose idea of a good time is postal work in a place that takes three days to reach by boat, is home to 30 human residents, but houses half the world’s king penguin population. In that case, you should definitely pop over to the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands governmental website to apply.
Some of the job requirements:
- Near-perfect health. You have to pass some screenings, as airlifting you out for medical attention would cost a boatload of cash.
- Good customer service skills. In addition to managing the mail, you’ll be dealing with some 14,000 cruise-ship tourists and visiting scientists a year, according to Polar Journal.
- You have to be okay with a low salary. The pay is €30,000 plus room, board, and travel.
- Excel!
Grytviken, the site of the old whaling station on South Georgia. Photo: Shutterstock
Earnest Shackleton’s resting place
Fans of polar history will know South Georgia Island as the spot where explorer Earnest Shackleton (along with two crew members) made a 35km traverse over the mountains after surviving a 1,300km open-boat voyage from Elephant Island across one of the planet’s nastiest stretches of water.
In fact, Shackleton is buried on South Georgia. So, joking aside, the job could be worth it just to pay your respects to “The Boss.” Not this one. That one.
Applications are open through June 16, with interviews starting the week of June 26.
Good luck!
