Three Vancouverites shortlisted for "the best job in the world"

Marcella Moser is one of three Vancouverites who could end up travelling over 11,000 kilometres to live the island life after being shortlisted as candidates for “The Best Job in the World”.

With the travel industry in a tough position due to the economic downturn, Tourism Queensland has taken a unique approach to draw attention to one of the region’s most enticing islands. The agency is offering the winner of its contest a paid six-month position as “caretaker” on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef.

On March 4, 50 candidates were shortlisted out of the 34,000 applicants for the job from around the world. Seven are from Canada.

“When I dreamt about Australia, I always thought that it would be for longer than just a vacation,” said Moser, 31, a marketing student and former international tour leader, by phone. “So this is kind of perfect.”

Aside from Moser, Vancouver’s candidates are Erik Rolfsen, 39, online news editor at the Province, and Anny Chih, 23, a Simon Fraser University marketing graduate.

The caretaker’s key responsibility? To discover and promote what the area has to offer, keeping Tourism Queensland up-to-date with what is happening on the island. They will also be responsible for weekly blog entries and a photo diary, as well as opening mail, preserving wildlife, and cleaning the private pool.

As if simply living in a World Heritage Site isn’t enough, the salary for the six-month contract is AUD$150,000 (roughly $125,000), and the job includes return airfare, a three-bedroom house overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and transportation while on the island.

Moser spent hours creating her entertaining animated one-minute application video (which each applicant was required to do) over a two-week period in her West End apartment.

“I knew it was going to be a challenge and that it was going to interest thousands of people [so] I had to stand out from the pack,” Moser said. “My dedication to this job is evident, the money isn’t important to me, it’s about the adventure.”

The next step is for each candidate to write a 500-word essay on why they are the best person for the job.

On April 2, the applicants with the highest number of votes will be narrowed down to 11 candidates, who will be invited to the island for the finals.

The winner will be revealed on May 6 and will begin “working” on July 1.