Air Transportation Specialist I - Antarctica

About the role

This position supports cargo and passenger movements to and from McMurdo and South Pole Stations in Antarctica. The specialist handles material handling equipment, loads and unloads aircraft, and ensures cargo is handled safely and in line with USAF and military or commercial regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out and document daily maintenance checks on material handling equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts, Delta III transport vehicles, passenger vans and pickup trucks.
• Use material handling equipment for cargo loading and unloading, including wheeled forklifts with 4,000-15,000 lb capacity and cargo sleds.
• Follow safety and security precautions for hazardous materials, special cargo, mail and passenger baggage.
• Palletize cargo for shipment by cargo aircraft, securing it in accordance with current USAF regulations, and ensure proper handling of hazardous cargo.
• Transport cargo to and from airfields and storage areas, and load and unload aircraft according to established procedures.
• Check arriving cargo against the manifest and document overages, shortages or damage.
• Distribute cargo to end users efficiently while preserving its condition, and run quality checks during cargo movement and pallet building.
• Maintain and inventory tie-down equipment (463L pallets, cargo straps, chains and tensioners), and prepare damaged pallets and equipment for shipment to CONUS or Christchurch, New Zealand.
• Keep the workplace safe, attend safety meetings, and perform other duties as required.

Required profile

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 6 months of experience in loading and unloading aircraft, operating material handling equipment, processing and maintaining records of passenger and cargo movement, or completion of one Austral Summer season in the ATS Apprentice position.
• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods, with medical, dental, drug screening, background check and federal background check clearances.
• Able to lift and move items up to the safety regulation maximum, climb in and out of equipment, crawl, and work outdoors in extreme cold.
• Valid US driver's license; US citizenship is required for facility credentials at this location.
• Team player; previous remote logistics experience preferred.