[MARMAM] Field Research Internships- Whale and Dolphin Conservation, NA - Spring and summer 2017

[Monica Pepe]

WDC North America (NA), located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers internships 
and field volunteer positions, providing research, policy, education and 
administration experience in working for an international non-profit 
organization. We are currently accepting applications for our spring and summer 
positions beginning as early as April 1st. The deadline to submit an 
application is Sunday, March 12th by 11:59PM EDT.

The focus of the WDC internship/volunteer program is to give participants 
exposure to all aspects of working with a conservation non-profit organization. 
Successful candidates are tasked with everything from field research to office 
administration. All interns gain experience with public speaking by interacting 
with passengers aboard whale watching vessels, participating in school talks 
and other public outreach events. Other potential opportunities include writing 
blogs, water sampling, attending workshops/conferences, and responding to 
stranded marine mammals, though these are not guaranteed opportunities. This 
program exposes interns to real world experiences that will help them develop 
the skills and understanding needed to succeed in the field of marine mammal 
conversation and research. Participants will gain an in-depth perspective of 
this field and a better understanding of where their interests lie. Through 
this internship, a number of skills are developed including analytical, 
organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. As part of the field 
work experience, interns will learn species identification, behavioral 
sequencing, data collection and photo identification research techniques on 
marine mammals in the Gulf of Maine.  They will also have the opportunity to go 
out on commercial whale watching boats several times a week (field season is 
April through October) to photograph and record sightings of humpback, finback, 
and minke whales, as well as other notable marine wildlife. The frequency of 
fieldwork is weather dependent. Days not in the field will be spent at the 
office uploading photos and data into our photo identification database or 
working on any projects that might be assigned. The internship is a full time 
position.

At the end of the program our hope is that interns will be able to leave with a 
comprehensive understanding of both the exciting and routine aspects of what it 
takes to research and conserve marine mammals. There is no fee or compensation 
for the internship/volunteer positions. Participants must arrange for their own 
transportation to and from Plymouth and provide their own food. Limited housing 
with a shared bedroom is available on site for a monthly fee of $300, which is 
strictly to offset the cost of housing. Assistance can be provided in finding 
alternate housing at the request of the applicant, and those that can provide 
their own housing are encouraged to apply.
WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program 
through their college or university. The program requires a minimum commitment 
of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extending the term on a case-by-case 
basis. International applicants interested in the internship program must be 
able to secure their own travel Visa and other required documentation.

Candidate Requirements

  *   Fluency in English.
  *   Must be 18 years or older (preference given to students matriculated in 
or recently graduated from appropriate graduate or under graduate degree 
programs.)
  *   Be able to show proof of valid health insurance.
  *   Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team.
  *   Be open to long days in the field or office.
  *   Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require 
physical labor.
  *   Good computer skills - familiarity with operating PCs and MACs.
  *   Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  *   Familiar with literature research protocols is beneficial.
  *   Ability to function well under pressure.
  *   Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people of all ages and 
able to handle unanticipated situations.
  *   Familiarity with DSLR camera, GPS equipment is preferred.
  *   Possession of a valid driver's license is strongly preferred.
  *   Ability to impart information in an understandable way to the public 
under a variety of conditions.
NOTE:  You need not be a marine biology student/graduate to apply. There is no 
requirement for a relevant degree program.

How to Apply
Please submit the following via e-mail to 
monica.p...@whales.org:

  1.  Cover letter and resume
  2.  Contact information for two references including e-mail, phone number, 
and your affiliation to the reference
  3.  A supporting document of no more than 500 words answering one of the 
following:

  *   Do whales die through human's knowledge or ignorance?
  *   Preservation or conservation. Which offers the best route to a 
sustainable population of an 

[MARMAM] Field Research Internships- Whale and Dolphin Conservation, NA - Spring and summer 2017

[Monica Pepe]

WDC North America (NA), located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers internships 
and field volunteer positions, providing research, policy, education and 
administration experience in working for an international non-profit 
organization. We are currently accepting applications for our spring positions 
(beginning as early as April 1st) AND summer positions (beginning as early as 
May 1st). The deadline to submit an application for SPRING positions is Sunday, 
January 29th by 11:59PM EDT. The deadline to submit an application for SUMMER 
positions is Sunday, March 12th by 11:59PM EDT. Anyone wishing to submit an 
application for the summer may send theirs in at any time.

The focus of the WDC internship/volunteer program is to give participants 
exposure to all aspects of working with a conservation non-profit organization. 
Successful candidates are tasked with everything from field research to office 
administration. All interns gain experience with public speaking by interacting 
with passengers aboard whale watching vessels, participating in school talks 
and other public outreach events. Other potential opportunities include writing 
blogs, water sampling, attending workshops/conferences, and responding to 
stranded marine mammals, though these are not guaranteed opportunities. This 
program exposes interns to real world experiences that will help them develop 
the skills and understanding needed to succeed in the field of marine mammal 
conversation and research. Participants will gain an in-depth perspective of 
this field and a better understanding of where their interests lie. Through 
this internship, a number of skills are developed including analytical, 
organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. As part of the field 
work experience, interns will learn species identification, behavioral 
sequencing, data collection and photo identification research techniques on 
marine mammals in the Gulf of Maine.  They will also have the opportunity to go 
out on commercial whale watching boats several times a week (field season is 
April through October) to photograph and record sightings of humpback, finback, 
and minke whales, as well as other notable marine wildlife. The frequency of 
fieldwork is weather dependent. Days not in the field will be spent at the 
office uploading photos and data into our photo identification database or 
working on any projects that might be assigned. The internship is a full time 
position.

At the end of the program our hope is that interns will be able to leave with a 
comprehensive understanding of both the exciting and routine aspects of what it 
takes to research and conserve marine mammals. There is no fee or compensation 
for the internship/volunteer positions. Participants must arrange for their own 
transportation to and from Plymouth and provide their own food. Limited housing 
with a shared bedroom is available on site for a monthly fee of $300, which is 
strictly to offset the cost of housing. Assistance can be provided in finding 
alternate housing at the request of the applicant, and those that can provide 
their own housing are encouraged to apply.
WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program 
through their college or university. The program requires a minimum commitment 
of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extending the term on a case-by-case 
basis. International applicants interested in the internship program must be 
able to secure their own travel Visa and other required documentation.

Candidate Requirements

  *   Fluency in English.
  *   Must be 18 years or older (preference given to students matriculated in 
or recently graduated from appropriate graduate or under graduate degree 
programs.)
  *   Be able to show proof of valid health insurance.
  *   Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team.
  *   Be open to long days in the field or office.
  *   Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require 
physical labor.
  *   Good computer skills - familiarity with operating PCs and MACs.
  *   Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  *   Familiar with literature research protocols is beneficial.
  *   Ability to function well under pressure.
  *   Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people of all ages and 
able to handle unanticipated situations.
  *   Familiarity with DSLR camera, GPS equipment is preferred.
  *   Possession of a valid driver's license is strongly preferred.
  *   Ability to impart information in an understandable way to the public 
under a variety of conditions.
NOTE:  You need not be a marine biology student/graduate to apply. There is no 
requirement for a relevant degree program.

How to Apply
Please submit the following via e-mail to 
monica.p...@whales.org:

  1.  Cover letter and resume
  2.  Contact information for two references including e-mail, phone number, 
and your affiliation to the reference