Help Wanted: Bear spotter, may involve gunplay

The government of the Norway's Svalbard Islands has a unique summer job available. They need someone to hang out and watch for polar bears.

The gig starts in early July and goes for three weeks, and requires shouting and maybe some shooting. At least that's what English speakers are getting from Google Translate.

The Svalbard Islands have more polar bears than people — 3,000 bears to 2,400 humans — so it may be that the governor is advertising for a polar bear spotter not out of scientific interest, but out of concern. (Actually, according to Google Translate the job announcement says it's "in connection with the documentation of hunting cabins," but it also says "we need polar bears for a three-week period" so perhaps the translation is not an expert one.) Whether you're counting the bears or just keeping an eye on them, though, you'll need good eyesight, experience working outdoors, the ability to shoot a gun, and a loud voice for scaring bears so you don't have to shoot a gun. You also need "satisfactory conduct," though I'm not sure how often that overlaps with outdoorsiness, loud voices, and firearm expertise. [Grist]