The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works with the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center through a cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaii to conduct research and recovery activities on the Hawaiian monk seal population in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. JIMAR is currently seeking Field Camp Volunteer applicants to assist paid program staff at five remote field sites. Field teams work in groups of ~2-4 people at each site for ~4-5 months to study endangered Hawaiian monk seals as part of a long-term annual population monitoring and conservation program. Activities include conducting trend counts, tagging seals, identifying individual seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks, monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries, entanglements, migration, vaccinating against morbillivirus, performing necropsies, collecting scat & spew samples for food habitat, parasite load, and hormonal analysis, collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis, and removing debris capable of entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected at some sites. Researchers at some sites may participate in shark mitigation activities. Approximately five weeks of mandatory full-time (40 hours/week M-F) training and packing in Honolulu will be required before deployment via NOAA ships to field sites. Once deployed, all food and lodging costs are covered for the entire duration. The position is physically challenging and living conditions are rugged. Expect rustic conditions (the surrounding environment includes numerous seabird colonies and sun exposure, living in tents, no infrastructure, no running water, bathing in the ocean, no internet or cell phone coverage, and limited communication with the outside world via satellite phone/email, etc.). Some sites require extensive boating operations. 

Deployment to a remote field site is a serious undertaking. Delays in scheduled pick-up and drop-off dates due to weather or ship mechanical issues may occur, as well as long response times for emergencies, including evacuation. Volunteers also assist program staff for up to a week or more after the end of the season to unpack, clean, and inventory gear and equipment. All other qualifications being equal, preference will be given to applicants who live on Oʻahu so they can be incorporated into our program as soon as possible to gain useful experience before the official training begins. 

See attached pdf for more information and instructions on how to apply. 

For more information about our program, go to: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaiian-monk-seal#science