Traverse Operations Supervisor - SPoT & Field

Job Description

Position Responsibilities:

Responsible for problem solving, navigation, supervision of ground penetrating radar

(GPR) operations, analysis of GPR images, coordination of air support, supervision of ASC employees and camp visitors, cooking, communications, weather observation, cargo movement, equipment operation, repair and maintenance, trail maintenance, crew briefings, safety tailgate meetings, constant hazard assessment, route hazard mitigation, detailed record keeping, employee evaluations, end of season reporting and public presentations of traverse information.

Adheres to planned traverse pace and
identified
field tasking, within reason. Works directly with ASC and NSF management to ensure all parties are informed of
current status
and any changes to the schedule or tasking.

Ensures that all personnel
operating
the GPR are fully
trained and
following all procedures at all times
.
Determines
if crevasses
encountered
on the trail are safe to cross using several methods (GPR analysis, hot water drill exploration,
possibly with
the use of explosives and
through the use of
formulas and standards provided by engineers).

Uses sound judgment in conducting all traverse operations
in accordance with
the Standard Operating Procedures, company policies, and
objectives
. Communicates daily progress to the Traverse Operations Manager
, Science Traverse
Supervisor
and/or Field Operations Manager.

Supervises traverse staff and completes end of season evaluations for personnel. Assigns tasking and outlines priorities daily.
Identifies
and communicates times for starting, stopping, breaks, meals, etc.
Determines
operational tempo based on environmental and scheduling factors.

Serves as safety coordinator. Implements USAP's environmental, health and safety
programs
and holds regular safety meetings. Responsible for creating and
maintaining
a safe workplace and ensuring that safety is the highest priority in the workplace and that all safety related rules and regulations are adhered to. Ensures that nothing is left in the field and that any releases to the environment are remediated properly and documented accordingly.

Communicates all safety incidents and near misses using the ASC reporting protocols.

Communicates professionally with their staff to relay information needed to be successful in their jobs. This includes, but is not limited
to:
staff meetings, performance appraisals, job requirements, structured trainings, SOP's, and safety practices.

Ensures that all facilities and equipment are
maintained
and operated safely, that the camp is tidy, and that waste is stored properly throughout the season. Responsible for all hazardous cargo identification, labeling, and handling prior to disposal upon return to McMurdo Station.

Handles confidential matters
in accordance with
management policy. Ensures that all paperwork is filled out with integrity and that all department metrics are met.

Assists the Traverse Operations Manager in the completion of the After Operations Report and other end of season reports. May
participate
in traverse planning and the
selection
of traverse staff during the off-season.

Interacts with all crew members, ASC management, the National Science Foundation, US military and other agency officials, through email, over the telephone and in person, in a professional and tactful manner.

Maintains,
organizes
and transfers

detailed records
including
fuel figures, equipment hours, weather observations, camp
locations, route waypoint locations, snow accumulation data, travel logs and daily check-in data
, and emergency response incidents.

Coordinates and supports required Search and Rescue missions or alternative emergency tasking along the route. May include the construction of an emergency
skiway
/runway and coordination of flights to field locations.

Technical Responsibilities

Performs fuel transfers via hose between bladders,
tanks
and vehicles. May refuel
aircraft
and vehicles with hand or electric pump.

Performs preventive maintenance tasks on filters, hoses, pumps, meters, etc., as directed.

Tracks and reports
accurate
quantities of fuel stored, consumed,
cached
and delivered.

Ensures that all fuel storage containers are inspected at least three (3) times each day.

Assists
with tracking engine hours,
maintenance
and repair needs of all equipment.

Assists
in operation of small mechanical equipment (chainsaws, drills, welders, etc.) as needed.

Provides assistance
in the repair of vehicles and other equipment, as needed.

Operates heavy equipment and tracked vehicles for any tasking
required
.

Performs other duties as
required
.

SPoT
Only:

Deployment during the Austral Summer season will require operation of heavy equipment for
assigned traverse for no less than a 50-day duration to the South Pole and back at least once max twice
.

Live and work in close quarters with up to 10 people for the duration of the traverse
.

Deployment during the Austral Winter season is
located
at McMurdo Station

Field
Camps

O
nly:

Live and work in close quarters
for the duration of the field season in a remote camp setting.

Assigns equipment support,
materials
and science support priorities daily
in accordance with
the season plan.

Prepares cargo for movement to the filed, completes load plans and cargo prioritization with Science Traverses Supervisor and other departments prior to deployment to the field

Operates heavy equipment for assigned traverse.

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses:

Bachelor's Degree is
required
. An
additional
four years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of a degree.

Minimum of four years' experience in a
polar
guide,
management
or field operations role

Two of the four years' experience must be in a s
upervisory or leadership role.

Expected Skills and Competencies:

Demonstrated
ability to work with and independently manage, a multiple skilled work force
.

Good verbal communication and problem-solving skills are
required
.

Team player and group dynamics are of the utmost importance
.

Demonstrated ability to work and supervise in a remote and isolated environments

Preferred:

Previous
operations, project management, project planning, equipment operation, cargo movement, fuel operations and/or 24-hour facility experience is preferred
.

Previous
traverse experience in polar regions
is strongly preferred
.

Physical and/or Other Requirements
:

Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods

Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica

Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer

Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF

Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.

Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.

Must
participate
in community programs, such as "house-mouse" (chores), "daisy-picking" (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety
objectives
.

Valid Driver's License issued in the United States

Must be able to obtain and
maintain
facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is
required
for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.