Background: The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 58.
The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), is managed by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supporting scientific research and education in Antarctica
USAP deploys roughly 3,000 people to Antarctica annually, mostly during the austral summer from October through February. These participants include scientists who conduct research; support staff who operate and maintain the U.S. research stations and vessel; members of the military and other federal agencies; artists, writers, and educators who partner with researchers to broaden public awareness of Antarctica and Antarctic science; and members of the media who report on Antarctic science.
Job Categories: https://www.usap.gov/jobsandopportunities/
- USAP management: The U.S. Antarctic Program is managed by the U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (OPP).
- Scientists: The Office of Polar Programs provides grants to scientists at U.S. research institutions, universities, and other organizations for the purpose of conducting field research in Antarctica as well as analytical research at their home institutions.
- Support staff: USAP staff who support scientific operations in Antarctica are hired under the Antarctic Support Contract, which is managed by Leidos. The Antarctic Support Contract hires full-time employees as well as seasonal contractors who work at U.S. research stations and the research vessel.
How I Got My Job
I have been aware of meteorology jobs in the Antarctic ever since I was a young USAF Airman and have known a few people that went down there (mostly at McMurdo) and worked for various contractor companies over the years.
I originally started this process back in 2021 when I was going to get out of the Navy. I was in the process of going to be the Senior Meteorologist at the South Pole for the Winter over in 2022. However, my fate in the Navy was still unclear and I had to ultimately turn down the position and instead was able to continue my career and retired from the Navy in 2024.
With the Federal Government hiring freeze in effect and ultimately my job cancelled at the beginning of 2025, I decided to once again pursue getting to the bottom on the Earth. With my kids in high school, I didn’t want to be gone for nearly a year, so I decided to apply for the summer season, which is 4-5 months.
Amentum currently has the contract for most of the weather positions down there (there are others for the McMurdo positions, as well as reach back in Charleston, SC). Typically hiring occurs about a year out from the season, so I did get in a little later to try and go for summer.
My process consisted of: Applying/Resume on Amentum ( I was pretty hell bent on going down to the South Pole), a recruiter reached out to me that I met the initial qualifications and I would be passed on to the meteorologist manager. The manager interviewed me (same person as back in 2021), to include a technical interview to determine what position would be best in the METOC CoC and I was selected as an alternate for the meteorology position at the South Pole.
From there, becomes a whirlwind of background check, very in depth medical and dental, and a lot of hurry up and wait. I completed this process in the March/April 2025 timeframe and was PQ (with waivers for some medical stuff) and was just waiting to here if I would get an official slot.
Then in August 2025, I got a phone call offering me a chance at being one of the weather observers/forecasters at a remote Deep Field Camp called WAIS Divide. Instead of being “cozy” at the South Pole and having my own dorm room and about 150 personnel, I would be living in a tent in 24 hour daylight. I jumped at the opportunity.
However, I still needed to do another interview with the Field Camp managers to ensure that I was well versed in the adverse conditions I was living in, that I can do the job, and that my personality would jive with the other people there. Gratefully, I did well and I was hired on!
From there began a flurry of information to get me ready for basically being off-grid for approximately 5 months.