Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust - Education and Outreach Internship 2013

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is seeking to recruit an intern to assist with its Education and Outreach Programme in 2013. This is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to gain invaluable experience working within a well-established charitable organisation and contribute to HWDT’s innovative project work. Working with the Education Officer and other members of the HWDT team, the intern will be fully supported and encouraged to develop skills and knowledge to enhance career aspirations and employability.

Tasks

The role is likely to involve assisting the Education Officer with:

• Making visits to schools to deliver classroom-based and outdoor learning workshops;

• Engaging with the general public at local events, including Highland games, local shows, beach cleans, cetacean watches, etc.;

• Developing new teaching resources and learning materials;

• Creating promotional materials (such as posters and leaflets);

• Writing articles for the newsletter, Wave, and news items for the website;

• Assisting within HWDT’s Visitor Centre and Shop, to include designing and updating  interpretive exhibitions and window displays;

• Delivering educational touch tank sessions at a local visitor centre;

• Updating and monitoring social networks (Facebook and Twitter);

• Work on-board the floating classroom, Silurian, for educational visits and open boats (timetable and funding dependent);

• Undertaking other tasks as directed by the Education Officer.

It may also be possible to develop personal interests and skills (where they can be supported) and a chance to work within the other departments at HWDT. These will be discussed and encouraged during the internship.

Requirements

HWDT expect this opportunity to appeal to candidates with an interest in education, outdoor learning, interpreting the marine environment in new and exciting ways and a general passion for marine biodiversity. HWDT anticipate that the successful candidate will be:

• An excellent communicator;

• Efficiently organised and self-motivated;

• Hard working and eager to learn;

• Able to bring their own ideas and personality to the role;

• Comfortable living and working for the duration of the internship in the relatively remote island community of Mull.

You do not need extensive qualifications and experience to secure this internship but, as a large number of applications are anticipated, you will need to stand out from the crowd. HWDT will be looking for:

• Educational qualifications, preferably in an educational and/or scientific discipline;

• Relevant experience, ideally working with young people and/or the general public;

• A proven interest in the environment, especially marine biodiversity.

Dates and How to Apply

The busiest part of the season runs from May to September, and preference will be given to those candidates who can stay for the entire period, although HWDT may recruit several interns if it is not possible to cover the whole period with one intern. To apply, please send your CV, with details of two referees, and a cover letter to the Education Officer education@hwdt.org  Please indicate your availability in your application.

If you would like to discuss the details of the internship further before applying, please feel free to contact the Education Officer at education@hwdt.org or for an informal chat on 01688 302620.

The closing date for applications is 15/02/2013. All candidates will be contacted within 10 working days of the deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview via Skype. The internship is an unpaid, voluntary position and will require the successful candidate to be financially self-sufficient.

 

About HWDT

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is dedicated to enhancing knowledge and understanding of Scotland’s whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) and the Hebridean marine environment through education, research and working within Hebridean communities as a basis for the lasting conservation of local species and habitats. Specifically, HWDT conducts long-term monitoring of cetacean distribution, abundance and habitat use, educates a wide range of people about the marine environment with a focus on cetaceans, and works within local communities to ensure long-term sustainability of the marine environment. Established in 1994, HWDT is based on the Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland. A small team of dedicated staff are responsible for delivering a wide range of research and education projects within the Hebrides and beyond.