Ever wanted to quit the 9-5 grind and get back to nature? We’ve found ten jobs that will take you to the edges of civilization and beyond. From protecting turtles to preventing fires, these jobs are ideal for people who want to work in solitary conditions and enjoy getting back to basics.
Mountain guide
Where: Mount Everest
Where to apply: Via RMI expeditions here
Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Professional mountain guiding is one of the world’s most dangerous yet rewarding roles. You’ll need to be really fit and healthy, and able to work at high altitudes.
You won’t go straight to behemoths like Everest, you’ll need to prove yourself on safer routes and smaller mountains, but once you’re experienced enough, the sky really is the limit!
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Lighthouse keeper
Where: Gabo Island, Australia
Where to apply: These roles are few and far between!
Fancy spending a month at a time on a remote island off the coast of Australia? As a lighthouse keeper and caretaker you’ll be responsible for the second-tallest lighthouse in Australia and one of the largest fairy penguin colonies in the world.
You’ll be an employee of Parks Victoria and do everything from welcoming guests (8 people can stay on the island at a time) to monitoring the island’s weather.
It’s easy to see why the lighthouse keepers keep hold of this job for decades!
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Penguin counter
Where: Antarctic
Where to apply: Roles are advertised annually via UKAHT
Each year, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust hires four people to work at Port Lockroy in the Antarctic, and we’re not exaggerating when we say that thousands apply.
Roles include manning the Post Office, which is affectionately known as the “Penguin Post Office”, counting penguins, and general day-to-day maintenance.
This role will send you back to basics as you won’t have access to WiFi or running water.
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Sea turtle intern
Where: Phang Nga, Thailand
Where to apply: Via GVI
All seven of the world’s sea turtle species are in serious decline so volunteers and interns travel overseas to support conservation projects every year.
As an intern, you will participate in vital research, turtle rehabilitation, and monitoring turtle populations.
Want to help save these incredible creatures? Then this is the perfect role for you!
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Winter caretaker
Where: Yellowstone National Park, USA
Where to apply: No time soon!
Believe it or not, Steve Fuller, the winter caretaker at Yellowstone National Park has held this role for 50 years.
Steve’s role dates back to the 1800s and involves shoveling snow off the park’s 100s of buildings during the harsh winters. As well as keeping Yellowstone safe, Steve is also a photographer who has created 100s of 1000s of images of the park over his half a century tenure.
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Fire lookout
Where: Gila National Forest, USA
Where to apply: Sadly, this is a job that’s on the out
Fancy being totally alone atop a 50 ft tower keeping your eyes peeled for fires? Each summer, a fire lookout uses their attention to detail and excellent eyesight to keep Gila National Forest safe.
This is a perfect role for anyone who wants to be one with nature, but not ideal if you like to socialize.
Sadly, as of 2019, only 300 fire lookout towers are manned (mainly by volunteers) as they’ve been replaced by technology such as drones.
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Ranger
Where: Farne Islands, UK
Where to apply: Via the National Trust
For 10 months each year, a dedicated ranger team sets up home on the Farne Islands to look after the resident wildlife which includes grey seals and puffins.
During puffin mating season, when these sea birds spend time on land, the rangers count how many burrows are occupied, to track puffin numbers.
It may seem idyllic but the waters surrounding the islands are choppy, which means that the rangers risk being cut off from civilization completely. One ranger was cut off from the rest of the world for 17 days and quickly ran out of food. Luckily, since then, the rangers have started to grow their own fresh produce.
Dog sled patrol
Where: Daneborg, Greenland National Park, Denmark
Where to apply: You can only apply after completing compulsory service in the Danish Defence.
Love dogs? Love snow? Well, this could be the ideal role for you!
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol is an elite Danish naval unit that patrols in the arctic wilderness of northern and eastern Greenland. Patrollers work in parks, using dog sledges pulled by a dozen dogs and will often be away on patrol for months on end.
You’ll need to be resilient, physically and mentally, which is why currently only 12 people hold this position.
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Warden
Where: Calf of Man, Isle of Man
Where to apply: Via the Manx Wildlife Trust here.
Thought to be one of the most remote jobs in the British Isles, the Warden at the Calf of Man, a 2.50-square-kilometre (618-acre) island, can be cut off from civilization for weeks at a time.
The island has been a bird observatory since the 50s and the observatory can house up to eight visitors at any one time.
You’ll be responsible for estate management, data collection, and welcoming and managing visitors and volunteers.
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Marine management officer
Where: Tristan da Cunha
Where to apply: When available, roles will be advertised by the Tristan da Cunha Government here.
Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean and is the most remote island in the world. The nearest landmass is South Africa, 1,500 miles away.
The marine management officer role lasts three years and is responsible for connecting island inhabitants with wildlife. You’ll do everything from running education events with local school children to counting penguins.
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Read more: Top sectors still offering remote roles