Antarctic network caretakers in demand

[Sabre]

Article

Wanted: tech gurus for remote scientific expedition. Must have sense of adventure, want to heal the planet and able to cope with harsh conditions. Toiletries provided.

The Australian Antarctic Division was a week away from closing applications for people to run its telecommunications and IT networks next year.

A supervising communications technical officer with a base salary of $72,726 before tax and an allowance of $49,014 was the highest paid of the three roles. The Government paid superannuation of 15.4 percent.

The role included transport between Antarctica and Tasmania and accommodation in Hobart, transport of a cubic metre of personal items (about 250 kilograms), accommodation, clothing and sundries on station.

"Whilst on station, expeditioners are fully maintained, however expeditioners often choose to take some preferred ‘special' toiletry items," the division said.

It was also seeking a communications technical officer and communications operator.

Its telecommunications network is described as "extremely diverse" and includes "satellite systems, HF and VHF radio systems, computer networks and telephone systems".

Would probably be fun for awhile and a hell of a thing to put on your resume.

[Mr Kleen]

a little less than you can make in the sandbox and cold as hell. but no sand, no IEDs and no moral issues about war profiteering.

[ElZorro]

Interesting. Given that you'd be gone for a year, you'd get the first $90k of that tax free...

[Mr Kleen]

Interesting. Given that you'd be gone for a year, you'd get the first $90k of that tax free...

I thought it was $85k? either way, what are the tax laws for working for a foreign government? this is an Australian government contract, right?

[ElZorro]

http://tinyurl.com/yjdwfop

Pub 54.

Lays out tax obligations of US Citizens working overseas. Section 4 states the tax exclusion is $91,400.

[Sabre]

[complacent]

I remember reading an article a year or two ago that talked about the unique obstacles that one encounters while making computers work in Antarctica. Interesting and funny at the same time.