Hazardous Cargo Specialist

Summary:  

The Hazardous Cargo Specialist is responsible for preparing dangerous goods and hazardous materials for transport via military aircraft, civilian/commercial aircraft, vessel, and ground transport. This position works closely with military personnel as well as civilian contractors both on base at McMurdo station as well as at various USAP field camps in Antarctica.  

Position Responsibilities: 

• Maintains a safe workplace and demonstrates a high level of safety awareness.  

• Complies with all ASC Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH), Waste Management and Quality Assurance requirements, goals, policies and procedures. 

• Accurately identifies, classifies, packages, marks, labels and documents hazardous goods for transport in compliance with 49CFR parts 100 - 185, IATA, AFMAN 24-604 and/or IMDG regulations.  

• Is cognizant of the relationship between the transportation regulations to merge and apply these regulations for multi-modal shipments. 

• Safely handles and stores hazardous materials in accordance with applicable federal and military regulation. 

• Researches and responds to customer inquiries regarding transport regulations of hazardous material. 

• Packs temperature-controlled science samples in accordance with established procedures to ensure the safety of the samples during retrograde shipping, to include both commercial airline and surface shipping methods. 

• Assists science team and community members in the proper packaging, labeling, and documenting of general cargo for shipment to field sites or for retrograde. 

• Performs cargo movement including receipt, storage, retrieval and onward movement of United States Antarctic Program (USAP) materials.   

• Accurately tracks the movement of cargo throughout all phases of shipment. 

• Performs daily routine prevention maintenance checks on ATO vehicles and loaders. 

• Ensures that each ATO vehicle has the proper operating/safety equipment aboard (i.e. chocks, window scrapers, etc.). 

• Safely transports McMurdo-generated cargo to appropriate staging areas for onward shipment both on and off the continent. 

• Safely operates all ATO vehicles in varying road and weather conditions while obeying all speed limits. 

• Possesses and applies a thorough working knowledge of MAXIMO Palletizes cargo and applies proper restraint. 

• Loads ISO shipping containers and performs blocking and bracing of cargo inside the containers to comply with maritime shipping requirements. 

• Communicates via two-way radio in accordance with proper radio etiquette and procedures. 

• Ensures workspaces and staging areas are properly maintained and organized. 

• Must be capable of regularly lifting 40 pounds (safety regulation maximum). 

• Works rotating shifts, including weekends and extra hours, as required.    

• Coordinates changes at any hour day or night.  

• Works 9-12-hour shifts - non-stop during resupply vessel operations. 

• Performs other duties as required.  

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses: 

• High School diploma or GED 

• Four years of experience of inventory control, warehousing, or aircraft cargo handling experience, including receipt, storage, and/or retrieval  

Expected Skills and Competencies: 

• HazMat employees must complete required initial training of 49CFR, IATA, IMDG, and AFMAN24-604 within 90 days of beginning the job in 5 key training areas.  

• general awareness/familiarization 

• function-specific 

• safety 

• security awareness 

•  in-depth security training, if a security plan is required; 

• Previous experience in a customer service environment  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 2000 software within the Microsoft Windows operating system, and hazardous materials databases  

• Knowledge of aircraft load planning and regulations governing transportation of hazardous materials  

• Clear, accurate, concise communication skills. 

• Capable of interpretation of law text. 

• Ability to adapt to dynamic situations. 

Preferred: 

• Military aircraft knowledge is preferred.   

• Cargo operations experience within the USAP Program is preferred. 

• Certification of training and/or previous knowledge, use, and understanding of 49CFR, IATA, IMDG, and AFMAN 24-604 is preferred.   

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.