Antenna Rigger Lead - Palmer Station, Antarctica (Austral Winter 2025)

Job purpose:

Provide direct supervision of the Antenna Riggers to ensure safe installation and maintenance of all guyed towers, freestanding towers and antenna support structures in the USAP. The antenna rigger Lead also provides guidance and assistance to install and maintain necessary coaxial cable, connectors on coaxial cabling, maintenance and repairs of antenna radomes. Also coordinates installation and maintenance of various solar and wind turbine power generation sites. Responsible for developing and tracking project plans and timelines. This position requires both technical and managerial skills.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop project schedules and assigns tasks to team members
• Supervise the staff members assigned to specific projects.
• Coordinate project resources and communications with team members.
• Prepare management progress and project status reports.
• Assist the Communications System Supervisor with project design, development, and implementation.
• Handle confidential matters (personnel actions, management reports, etc.) in accordance with management policy.
• Manage and assist with all installations and maintenance of USAP HF, UHF, NHF, microwave, and satellite antenna systems and radomes.
• Design and install technical rigging and rope-access systems.
• Manage and assist with installation of solar and wind-turbine power generation systems.
• Manage and assist with annual inspections and maintenance on antenna systems at Palmer, South Pole, McMurdo, and Christchurch, New Zealand USAP facilities, deep field sites.
• Supervise/assist with the installation and maintenance of air and foam dielectric coaxial cable and connectors.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace program and ensuring safety is the highest priority in the work place.
• Guide and conduct technical training for antenna riggers and Communications shop personnel as needed. Ensure all antenna riggers have completed proper training.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residence is required.
• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must possess current Tower Climbing Certification
• Minimum five years of experience in tower and antenna installation and maintenance or minimum five years of experience installing structural steel.
• Knowledge of all safety aspects of tower and antenna rigging is necessary.
• Two years supervisory experience with independent responsibility is necessary.

Preferred Experience:

• B.S. degree in Information Technology, science or engineering
• Five years of experience providing technical expertise and leadership assistance to large multi-disciplinary projects.
• Familiarity with OSHA approved fall restraint and fall arrest systems and similar devices required to work safely above the ground preferred.
• Experience with metal working/fabricating including welding, cutting, drilling, grinding and bending.
• Experience with construction and anchoring techniques in rock, snow, and ice.
• Experience with electrical installation and wiring.
• Experience working with cranes and other heavy equipment.

Competencies:

• Technical Capacity.
• Organizational Skills.
• Strategic Thinking.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.

Physical requirements:

• Deployment will be required in this position. The individual in the position must successfully complete the physical and dental examinations as required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. Failure to meet these requirements may result in withdrawal of employment offer or other employment action.
• Complies with applicable safety, environment, health, and waste management policies and procedure.
• Individual must be capable of operating a standard desktop computer; must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Position expectations:

• This is a full-time, seasonal position located in Antarctica.
• All expenses paid while on-ice; meals, lodging, medical, gear, travel to and from Antarctica.
• Benefits offered.
• Performance Period: March 2025 – October 2025

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer as defined by the EEOC