Sea Watch Foundation -- Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant
opportunity in Cardigan Bay (UK) for the 2012 summer season
The Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) is seeking an
education and awareness assistant to take part in the "Cardigan Bay
Monitoring Project" in New Quay, West Wales which manages the
conservation of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the
largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal
populations is also part of the project. This position will suit a
volunteer that has a strong interest in marine conservation and
recognises the importance of educating and raising awareness by
involving the public.
The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with
the following duties:
*
Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2012
event (27^th -29^th July)
*
Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to
local schools
*
Researching and writing articles
*
Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays,
flyers)
*
Assisting in the organisation of training courses
*
Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Blog, website)
*
Raising Sea Watch Foundation profile within the New Quay community
(organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier at
weekends etc.)
*
Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of
Sea Watch Foundation and Adopt a Dolphin
The assistant will also have the opportunity to be involved in the
research, helping the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings
Officer, and will be expected to take part in the following tasks in the
field:
*
Land-based surveys
*
Boat based-surveys
There may also be the opportunity to help with some other office based
duties if any are of particular interest such as:
*
Photo-identification studies
*
Database entry
*
Acoustic monitoring
*
Behavioural studies
The field season will begin in April until October 2012, which has been
split into one period of 5 weeks and 4 separate periods of six week. One
assistant is required for each period however preference will be given
to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole
seven month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West
Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £55/week in
a house sharing with marine research volunteers. The assistant is
responsible for their own travel and living expenses, but it is
generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required.
*Volunteering periods for summer 2012:*
_*Period 1*_09/04 -- 13/05, _*Period 2*_14/05 -- 24/06, _*Period
3*_25/06 -- 05/08, _*Period 4*_06/08 -- 16/09, _*Period 5 *_17/09 - 28/10
*Important skills/qualifications*
*Essential:*
*
a strong interest in marine conservation and education
*
confidence to interact with the public
*
good verbal and writing skills
*
must have initiative and bring their own ideas and personality to
the position
*
strong commitment to volunteering work
*
an ability to work in an organised and reliable manner and to
manage a variable workload
*
an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared
accommodation
*Desirable:*
*
a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
*
a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans
*
good IT skills (Office package)
*
prior experience in public speaking
*
prior experience in boat-based survey work
*
willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable
Welsh weather
Assistants also have the opportunity to learn about other research
aspects such as cetacean observation and identification, line-transect
survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and
grey seals.
*To apply:*
Please send your CV, covering letter reporting any relevant experience
you have and *specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for
*and contact details of two referees,**to Danielle Gibas
(_*danielle.gi...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk*_)
*Deadline: 31*^*st* *of January 2012. *
*Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title.*
Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22^nd of February 2012.
*The Sea Watch Foundation*
The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research
charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins
in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in
scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea
Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and
conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by
the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation
Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the
local management authority, Ceredigion County Council.
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