RESEARCH ASSISTANT (RA) POSITIONS AVAILABLE - seeking volunteer Research
Assistants to participate in Gray Whales Count (GWC) 2019 survey of the
northbound migration of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrating through
the nearshore of the Santa Barbara Channel.
GWC is seeking Research Assistants (RA) to work with Project Coordinator and
team of observers to assist in our annual survey, conducted from shore at
Counter Point, in the Coal Oil Point Reserve, Goleta, California, USA, adjacent
to the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
This position is open to citizens of the United States of America and those
authorized to work in the United States with an appropriate visa in hand.
The 2019 survey begins Wednesday, February 13 and continues every day through
May 29, from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Sunday . If gray whale calves are
continuing, we may need to extend the survey through May 31.
We are looking for passionate, caring individuals who are willing to commit for
the entire survey, ~100 survey days, and be available to begin Saturday,
February 9 to train and to assist with preparations.
GWC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for research and education. The
primary goal of research is to estimate the number of gray whales and gray
whale calves migrating northbound through our corridor and to share our data to
complement similar sampling-studies along the California coast. A secondary
goal is to document the variety and quantity of other marine mammals in the
ocean area around our site, which is now a Marine Protected Area.
Goals of education are to teach the process of scientific research to Counters
and to give them the opportunity to conduct a meaningful study, to experience
marine mammals in their natural environment, and to share this process and our
enthusiasm with publics through direct interchange, outreach, and various
media.
RAs will be trained by the Project Coordinator and, in-turn, share the
responsibility for training new volunteers and conducting research and
education.
Applicable skills learned and achieved include:
> Process, concepts, and protocols of the survey, including use of equipment
and data-entry.
> Ability to identify a multitude of marine mammal species from a distance,
including but not limited to: gray whales, humpback whales, bottlenose
dolphins, common dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor seals,
California sea lions, sea otters, etc.
> Identify behaviors of these marine mammals
> Distinguish calves from juveniles and adults
> Identify vessels and vessel operations
> Gather detailed, consistent data, with ability to teach and check others’
work
> Learn about marine mammals in their natural environment and the forces that
affect them, both natural and anthropogenic
> Developing responsibility and a working relationship within a team
Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit
full-time to the project for the time period involved, approximately 100 days.
This will entail up to 9 hours of work a day for at least 5 days a week. (With
training, RA’s are required to work everyday the first two weeks.) The Count is
6 days per week (no counting Tuesdays). The more time you can put in, the more
you will get out of your experience.
Priority will be given to those candidates with associative career goals.
Previous experience is a plus but not a condition.
This is an invaluable opportunity to gain extensive experience in real-time,
scientific fieldwork in an environment rich with diverse populations of marine
mammals. You will work with equally diverse individuals who are caring,
attentive, and curious. Gray whales are a sentinel species traveling from
temperate lagoons in Mexico, along the dynamic California Current at the
eastern edge of the North Pacific Ocean to the Arctic waters of northern Alaska
in one of the longest marine mammal migrations.
Requirements:
> Even though we are situated in Southern California, you must be able to
withstand harsh weather conditions. Fieldwork can be, at times, physically and
mentally demanding.
> Willingness to work long hours.
> Commit for a minimum of 100 days, full time (minimum five days per week).
> Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, zoology,
environmental science, animal behavior or a related field.
> Previous field experience with marine wildlife and observation is a plus
but not required.
> Ability to work in a team environment to produce consistent, high quality
results. We cannot stress this enough. You will be trained to be a leader of an
operation with people of differing experience and dedication.
> Be enthusiastic and possess a caring, positive attitude, with a strong
desire to learn.
> Be adaptable and patient. The migration is characterized by pulses rather
than a steady stream; and weather is the unknown factor: wind, rain, and fog
can shut us down.
> We strive for a perfection that cannot be attained. We are forgiving and
learn from experience.
This is a volunteer position. The selected RAs will be responsible for their
own transportation to and from Santa Barbara/Goleta, California and daily to
the survey site. Recognizing that living costs are high in this area, Gray
Whales Count will award a $500 stipend to assist each RA with expenses upon
successful completion of the RA position. RAs will be responsible for all for
living expenses while volunteering for Gray Whales Count.
To apply: Please send cover letter/résumé to Project Coordinator, Michael Smith
mich...@graywhalescount.org <mailto:mich...@graywhalescount.org>.
We strongly recommend you look over our website: graywhalescount.org
<http://www.graywhalescount.org/GWC/The_Count/The_Count.html> to familiarize
yourself with our operation. In the cover letter, please address why you wish
to participate in Gray Whales Count; how this particular experience will be
meaningful to you; and how this might advance your career goals.
There is no deadline to apply. The position will remain open until it is
filled. Please consider applying early in order to arrange travel plans and to
secure room and board.
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