Waste Management Specialist

POSITION: Waste Management Specialist

SEASON: Austral Winter (March 2026 - Oct 2026)

LOCATION: Palmer Station, Antarctica

SECTOR/DEPT: Six Mile, LLC Antarctica

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Act as point of contact for Waste Management and attend weekly staff meetings and weekly teleconferences.
2. Collect and package for shipment all solid and hazardous wastes on station.
3. Follow all SOPs associated with position duties.
4. Ensure proper documentation and filing of all paperwork on time.
5. Review/update JHA and SDS binders and computer folders.
6. Use proper PPE for various tasks (correct gloves, respirator, safety glasses, etc.).
7. Quality check all shipping containers and correct discrepancies immediately.
8. Process hazardous and radioactive waste per SOPs, including marking, labeling, weighing, and storing the drums or items into a shipping container.
9. Perform certain classification qualitative testing on items (pH testing, flash point testing, etc.).
10. Consolidate and lab pack wastes as required per profile and classification.
11. Safely operate various pieces of equipment on station (Skytrax, ATVs, etc.).
12. Store processed hazardous wastes according to segregation requirements.
13. Keep waste inventory records updated and accurate.
14. Perform quality-assurance checks on inventory database and files.
15. Provide hazardous waste, solid waste, and spill briefings.
16. Act as Spill Team Lead for entire station, write spill reports, and conduct trainings and drills.
17. Organize, orient, and train members of Spill Team for outside spill response. Coordinate with staff of the visiting vessels as applicable.
18. Maintain inventory of spill supplies in the two spill-vans and satellite spill kits.
19. Assist station mechanic with weekly station fueling activities.
20. Maintain/deploy spill-boom supplies for station fueling.
21. Assist with general station needs, including snow removal, radio communications on assigned day, mini-GASH, GASH, and House Mouse activities.
22. Conduct community Waste Briefs or other informational sessions if necessary.
23. Collect and process Resale Items as needed.
24. Maintain Maximo Resale work orders and provide end of season Maximo report to McMurdo Resale Admin and ASC Property Manager.
25. Maintain a flexible schedule based on Vessel Operations, unusual hours, and other station-wide activities.
26. Ensure seasonal replacement receives proper training and maintain a log of this information.
27. Troubleshoot any issues that arise and elevate them as needed.
28. Supply manual labor (shoveling) for several hours if needed.
29. Perform regular use of drum dollies, cargo straps, banding, shovels, pallet jacks, power tools, and other tools.
30. Perform regular physical activity, including bending, consistently lifting and carrying, reaching, and gripping.
31. Display self-motivation in physically challenging and atypical work environment; position is comprised of approximately 70% outdoor tasking.
32. Maintain flexibility and positive attitude in a dynamic, fast-paced work setting.
33. Perform duties in support of Operations Division metrics (as provided by supervisor).
34. Support the achievement of ASC metrics, whether metrics are directly or indirectly affected by this position's work activities.
35. Comply with all ASC Environmental Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance, requirements and goals. Provide documentation to these divisions as necessary to ensure adequate and legal documentation.
36. Work to achieve ASC goals and contractual commitments.
37. Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace and ensuring that safety is the highest priority in the workplace.
38. Perform other duties as required.
39. Reports to Hazardous Waste Manager and Solid Waste Manager.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. 2 years (or Antarctic seasons) of USAP Waste Management experience.
2. College degree (2 additional years of experience will substitute).
3. Strong computer software experience.
4. Able to lift 50 pounds consistently and wear a respirator.
5. Valid Driver's License and Passport valid for six months after contract end.
6. Physically able to be active for 9 hours daily.
7. Must be able to lift the safety regulation maximum.
8. Must pass physical qualification assessment.
9. Able to deploy to Antarctica for length of contract.

PREFERRED:

1. 1 year of Hazardous Materials shipping/characterization or reporting experience or 2 years of Environmental remediation.
2. 1 year of supervisory experience.
3. 1 year of High School Chemistry or equivalent.
4. 1 quarter of college General Chemistry.
5. College degree in Chemistry or Environmental Science.
6. OSHA HazWOPER 40-Hour, current.
7. Familiarity with power tools and machinery.
8. Equipment operating experience.
9. Previous management or supervisory experience.

EDUCATION: College degree (2 additional years of experience will substitute).

CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: Valid Driver's License and passport valid for six months after end of contract.

OTHER: US citizenship or permanent residency required.

A prerequisite of employment for this position is to successfully gain a favorable Elevated Background Investigation (EBI) result prior to deployment. Candidates hired for this position will be required to complete online forms, written forms, fingerprint cards and provide additional details and information as requested by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Personnel Security office.

Gana-A'Yoo, Limited (GYL), an Alaska Native Corporation, offers services with ongoing contracts in many facility types, such as military training facilities, emergency management centers, and temporary field sites.

We are committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers.

If you require assistance in the application process, please contact us at:

GYLOpportunities@usap.gov

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. EEO is the Law poster.