The forest railway running through Alishan National Scenic Area is among the biggest attractions in one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist spots. The railroad, however, doesn’t maintain itself, so local authorities are looking to hire new personnel for the job.
Carrying weights, running with sandbags, and shouldering heavy loads - you could think this is a competition for bodybuilders. In reality, these are all part of the recruitment process for a job with the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office.
The office supervises a network of 86km of narrow-gauge railways snaking along the slopes of Ali Mountain in Chiayi County. The system was originally built for logging, but nowadays it’s better known as a tourist attraction.
The relative remoteness of the area means that the railroad has to be maintained largely without heavy machinery. This is the third time the Forest Railway Office is recruiting new personnel. This time they plan to hire 18 people, with 46 more on the waiting list.
The deputy director of the office, Chou Heng-kai, says that on top of a physical strength and stamina test, candidates also need to pass a written exam and an interview. If hired, they will mainly be responsible for providing station services, and maintaining the trains and railroads when necessary.
The job comes with a degree of danger, which is reflected in the salary and additional benefits. They include yearly bonuses, promotions, subsidies for vacations and education for children and more.
So if you’re tired of the office life and fancy a move out to Taiwan’s high mountains, you better start polishing your CV and your biceps.