foreman jobs in Antarctica

Summary:

Seasonal Contract position supporting the National Science Foundation managed United States Antarctic Program as part of the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC). Preventative Maintenance Foreman will supervise and perform corrective and preventative maintenance or construction tasking, or any combination thereof, under the supervision of the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor or Assistant Facilities Maintenance Supervisor. Tasking is based on ASC schedule requirements.

Position Responsibilities (not all inclusive):

• Supervise the activities of Facilities Preventative Maintenance Shop and personnel

• Supervise and perform hands-on diagnosis, repair, and scheduled Preventative Maintenance on existing facilities, equipment, systems, and infrastructure

• Support installation and commissioning of equipment and systems

• Determine proper maintenance procedures and plan maintenance tasks

• Coordinate and ensure availability of bench stock supplies

• Timely response to emergency service calls during and outside normal working hours

• Maintain effective communication between departments and represent department as needed at operational meetings

• Assist with ensuring accurate material and labor charge code use, and accurate timecard submittal

• Interact with the National Science Foundation, military and other agency officials, both over the telephone and in person

• Accurate and thorough documentation of hours worked, tasking performed, materials used, and processes involved

• Advise supervisor of job progress, material/labor requirements, and personnel matters

• Accomplish tasking working from Job Plans, verbal information, schematics, blueprints, wiring diagrams, documents, vendor/manufacturer manuals, and applicable specifications and codes.

• Follow established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), suggest revisions as needed, and create SOPs as directed

• Perform tasking outdoors in environmentally challenging conditions including wind and extreme cold weather

• Routinely utilize independent judgment and discretion to identify potential issues and solve problems

• Proactively identify any unsafe conditions, hazards, or Code violations and communicate them effectively

• Work directly with other departments to plan and complete tasking

• Learn and utilize computer-based labor, material, and maintenance tracking applications

• May deploy to remote research support facilities for day trips or extended periods (McMurdo Only)

• Evaluate labor and material needs for tasking and assign duties to subordinate staff as appropriate

• Interpret schedules, design drawings, specifications and diagrams to carry out tasking

• Routinely inspect worksites and evaluate staff tasking

• Ensure staff attendance of required trainings and maintain records of departmental trainings

• Evaluate and identify job hazards and effectively communicate information to staff verbally and in writing through various venues, including weekly and daily crew meetings

• Responsible for providing timely performance feedback to staff and timely submission of end-of-season evaluations to Human Resources

• Provide suggestions and recommendations for re-hiring, termination and advancement of staff

• Works with Human Resources to address conflict or personnel issues as they arise

• Handle confidential matters (personnel actions, management reports, etc.) in accordance with management policy and with the highest degree of professionalism

• Communicate professionally, both orally and in writing, with subordinates as needed to relay information they need in order to be successful in their jobs This includes, but is not limited to, staff meetings, performance appraisals, job requirements, division metrics, Quality Assurance procedures, and safety practices

• Assist with the ordering of resupply materials for the department to maintain adequate inventory on station

• Access, review, and approve employee timesheets and Maximo Work Orders

• Occasionally utilize the assistance of other station personnel to complete tasking, or assist other trades or departments with their tasking

• Comply with all ASC Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH), Waste Management and Quality Assurance requirements

• Implement and maintain Work Center Safety Program and participate in ASC safety objectives

• Participate in community programs such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (station clean-up), “GASH” (galley clean-up at Palmer), and recycling efforts

• Perform other duties as required

Required Education, Experience, Certificates, and Licenses:

• High School diploma or GED

• Minimum six years of documented experience in all phases of preventive and corrective maintenance, including industrial and/or commercial facilities maintenance experience on refrigeration, HVAC, combustion heating appliances, plumbing, and electrical.

• Minimum three of the six years’ experience must be in a lead, supervisor or foreman role

• Experience with oil fired combustion heating appliances (South Pole)

Expected Skills and Competencies:

• The ability to read design drawings, specifications, and diagrams is required

• Minimum intermediate level computer skills with MS Office Suite experience to include Word, Excel and Outlook

• Be able and willing to learn and effectively utilize computer-based labor, inventory, and maintenance tracking applications

• Possess the competencies, willingness, and ability to perform the duties of position

Preferred:

• Experience with oil fired combustion heating appliances (McMurdo)

• Experience with Maximo or other Computerized Maintenance Management System

• Experience with Alerton Ascent Compass Software

• Experience with Direct Digital Control (DDC)

• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

• Experience with Building Automation Systems

• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

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.