Be Part of the Soundwatch Boater Education Program
Team!
If you, someone you know, or students within your
department/organization might be interested in working with Soundwatch this
summer, please pass along this notice and attachments.
Thank You!
Summer Internships Available
The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking
interns to assist with the successful and internationally acclaimed education
and monitoring program working to reduce vessel disturbance to killer whales
and other marine wildlife in the
Internship based in
Please see attachments for more detail. Internship is
unpaid. Shared housing at reasonable cost, is likely available.
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be at least 18 years, be physically fit (able to
lift 40 lbs), able to swim, and not easily susceptible to seasickness. Be
prepared to spend time aboard a small (20 ft.) vessel in unpredictable weather
and sea conditions. Interns will need a valid passport or US enhanced driver's
license, CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license/or equivalent safe
boating card, not required but is a bonus.
HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION
Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and
contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can
start/end.
Applications accepted
until April 1st,
2013. Decisions will be
made by mid-April.
Please send application materials to:
Eric Eisenhardt
Soundwatch Coordinator
Or email (preferred) to: soundwatch@whalemuseum.org
Please visit The Whale Museum’s Web site for
more information on Soundwatch: http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html
Eric Eisenhardt
Research Curator
The
360-378-4710 X 33
360-378-5790 Fax
Be Whale Wise!
Soundwatch
Intern Job Description
The Soundwatch Boater Education Program
Promote
responsible stewardship of the
Program goal:
Reduce disturbances to marine wildlife by irresponsible
boater behavior.
Program objectives:
Soundwatch Internship Program Goals:
Provide
intern and volunteer opportunities in a safe and instructive program assisting
the Soundwatch Boater Education Program in promoting its larger mission of
marine stewardship.
Intern Program Objectives:
§
Execute safe and proper seapersonship while educating
boaters about wildlife viewing regulations and collecting data on wildlife
viewing activities,
§
Educate commercial and private recreational boaters
about wildlife viewing guidelines and regulations in a positive,
professional manner,
§
Collect data on vessel activities around whales or
other protection areas for further study, verification, or possible legal
action.
Pre-Training Requirements:
Once you are invited to become a Soundwatch Intern or
Assistant, you need to attend a training workshop to familiarize yourself with all
aspects of the program. Workshops are usually done in the late spring and again
in the early summer. You will need to fill out information sheets and a
liability waiver. Once you have attended a workshop you can develop your
volunteer schedule with the coordinator.
B. Be familiar with
the Soundwatch vessel.
In addition to the training workshop, all volunteers must
have a boat check out. This includes a basic run through of boat operations,
safety equipment, radio and cell phone, GPS, range finder and video use. It is
also a good idea to become familiar with the local area if you are not already.
We do have some charts and field guides available, but you might want to get
your own.
Daily Operational
Responsibilities
A. Come prepared for a full day of variable conditions on boat days.
Includes bringing the following items:
Appropriate clothing;
warm jacket, good rain gear, warm hat, sun hat, sunglasses, gloves and boots if
it is cold and rainy. T-shirts and shorts are OK as long as they are not
offensive and you have other clothing when it cools.
Plenty of food and water;
snack food and easy to eat items are best because we often do not stop to have
a lunch break. Bring more water than you will need, as dehydration is very
likely.
Sunscreen is essential; the
boat has no covered protection.
Equipment;
binoculars are very handy as is a wristwatch. You may bring a camera, but keep
in mind we are a working boat and are not getting close to wildlife.
Safety gear; we
will provide floatation suits and jackets of various sizes. If you have
something specific that you like to wear, feel free to use it. We have full
first aide gear but bring anything you know you are likely to need. Please
advise your driver of any special condition you may have before you leave the
dock.
B. Follow the lead of your driver.
The Soundwatch driver’s main responsibility is
to strictly follow all wildlife viewing guidelines keeping wildlife well being
the first priority. They need to be aware and conscience of whales’ whereabouts
at all times. You can help by keeping a whale lookout and by following
directions given to you by the driver. Many things are going on at the same
time on the water and it can be overwhelming for short periods of time. If the
driver does not have to worry about what you are doing, they can concentrate on
the whales.
C. Follow the daily procedure.
This includes doing the morning check-ins, having a
reliable way to be reached, and arriving at the designated time. It also
includes helping with gear schlepping, preparing daily educational materials,
data collection gear and supplies and boat set-up. May also include instructing
new volunteers on daily procedures.
D. Be professional at all times.
Come prepared and ready. Use appropriate
behavior, language, attire (Soundwatch or Museum clothing if possible) and
attitude- you are the SOUNDWATCH
PROGRAM and you are representing The Whale Museum at all times. Be polite,
courteous and firm. Don’t loose your cool in tense situations. Relax.
Take a deep breath. Have some fun.
Education and Data Collection Responsibilities:
A. Contact all private boats that are reasonable and safe
to approach.
Includes powerboats, kayaks, sailboats, personal
watercraft etc. In general, try to communicate with commercial whale watch
boats through radio and cell phone about guideline issues, rather than approach
with passengers. Do not motor into groups of whales to contact boats.
Soundwatch is setting an example, and wildlife safety is a higher priority.
Stay clear of vessels actively engaged in fishing activities. If you need to
approach, wait until lines are in.
B. Distribution of Educational Materials.
Using the pole on the boat, or at public facilities
hand out educational materials that includes the Be Whale Wise Guidelines for
Wildlife Viewing, Soundwatch Brochure, MPA and Special Local areas Flyer,
Bottomfish Recovery Program Brochure when warranted, and any other relevant
local service announcements.
C. Verbal Communications.
When handing out information on the boat or at a public
facility, politely but loudly tell boaters who you are and what you are doing.
Tell them the basic guidelines, something about the whales or refuge area, and
any special conditions of the day. Always say thank you and if you can
something positive. If the boater has not been following guidelines, explain to
them what was potentially wrong, and give them the alternative for next time.
If they continue to be a problem you can re-approach with a reminder, and/or
remind them of the NMFS Marine Mammal Protection Act, use video in extreme
cases.
D. Maintain a daily boat log.
Includes date, time, weather, crew, destination, fuel and
oil levels, added fuel or oil, boat maintenance needed, boat maintenance completed,
equipment comments, big events on the water, marine mammal sightings,
communications with officials, messages for other drivers, return time, engine
hours
E. Fill out data
sheets.
Fill out data sheets correctly, accurately and legibly; help
with boat identification, whale ID, boater behavior, and harassment issues.
Data sheets include:
1.
Whale Watch Vessel Counts
2.
Whale Watch Vessel Contact Logs
3.
Whale Watch Vessel Incident Log
4.
MPA vessel activities and contact Logs
Soundwatch Intern Positions:
Soundwatch relies heavily on community support in the form
of volunteers and interns to be effective in changing boater behaviors around
marine wildlife. Volunteers are an integral part of this innovative model of community
based marine stewardship.
Interns assist the Soundwatch program with all aspects of
The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch Boater Education Program, both in the field
and in the office.
Up to four intern positions are available for the season,
although some shorter-term positions may also be available. Interns usually
spend a minimum of 4 days volunteering with the program both in the office
setting and in the field on the patrol boat and/or shore based whale watch
areas.
Qualifications:
College undergraduate and graduate students seeking intern
positions for credit and/or program related requirements. Some opportunities
are available for recent graduates, research fellows or non-scholastic
assistants, but priority will be given to students pursuing degree in related
field seeking field experience.
Interns work approximately 35-40 hours per week and are
required to commit to at least two months, but preferably to the full study
period, May-September, plus some training time.
Intern Responsibilities:
Office tasks include data collating and data entry,
preparing educational materials for boaters, distributing educational
materials, public outreach, tracking volunteer hours and program activities,
and fielding some program questions by phone/email.
Fieldwork includes working with Soundwatch staff primarily
on data collection on vessel activities around whales and marine protected
areas, from a vessel platform and/or shore based observation areas. Data
includes commercial and recreational vessel compliance with regional guidelines
and regulations as well as vessel and whale surveys. Interns work with other
Soundwatch volunteers and are expected to help with some volunteer support
activities. Interns will work with a variety of program staff, and will
be under the direction of the Soundwatch Program Director. Various
circumstances may require intern participation with media interviews, video
projects, whale standings or separations, or other public events requiring
Soundwatch presence or expertise.
Interns must be friendly, with an open attitude since they
will speak publicly, assist volunteers, and interact frequently with the
public. Interns must have excellent communication skills and have strong
leadership potential with a great amount of patience and flexibility.
Teaching, writing and boat handling experience are preferred.
Intern Requirements:
Interns preferably should have some field research
experience, prior boating experience and be proficient in the use of Microsoft
Access and Excel. Interns should be familiar with the basic use of binoculars,
range finders, hand-held GPS units, and digital video camera operation for data
collection. In addition, interns must have current First -Aid and CPR
training certificates. Applicants should have marine mammal interest/experience
as well as interest/experience in issues related to marine wildlife viewing
management. Persons interested in the position should be able to withstand
exposure in a small boat for up to 8-12 hours a day 3-4 days a week, in harsh
weather conditions (sun/rain/bouncing), able to carry approximately 50 lbs. All
applicants are required to have a current
passport.
These positions are un-paid, housing is not provided, and
interns must have own transportation. While these internships are not paid
positions, they are excellent experience and resume builders. Interns
will have the opportunity to participate in scientific research and other
related projects such as helping with the marine mammal stranding network and assisting
other killer whale researchers. Interns will have the opportunity to attend
various meetings and lectures as well as meet other marine mammal scientists.
Volunteers will also receive discounts at The Whale Museum store.
Eric Eisenhardt
Research Curator
The
360.378.4710 x33