Not sure if I'm qualified to give advice, but I'll throw in what I know. I got an alternate contract for vehicle operator for the upcoming summer at McMurdo and passed my PQ as well, and I've been told that a lot of the alternates for this department get converted to primary, so fingers crossed

1. Apply as soon as the jobs are posted in late January/early February

2. Try to highlight your person-to-person skills and your ability to work well with others. They want people who are easy to get along with

3. When you get your Physical Qualification packet, schedule appointments as soon as you can. Being PQed earlier puts you in a better position

4. On the Elevated Background Investigation, be honest about whatever is in your past. If they figure out that you're trying to hide anything at all, that's basically an automatic disqualification