Marine biology volunteer positions available at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland: 2016 summer season

Sea Synergy is a  new Marine Awareness and Activity Centre set up by marine biologist Lucy Hunt in the beautiful coastal village Waterville located on the famed picturesque Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way driving routes in SW Ireland. For more info please visit www.seasynergy.ie 

The marine awareness centre incorporates an interactive marine exhibition of Irish marine life, a small gift shop and a booking office for marine activities in the area. Marine awareness and education programmes are run from the centre throughout the summer including children and family beach workshops, snorkelling, nature surveys, hatchery and lake tours, summer camps and indoor presentations. Sea Synergy is involved in and reports to a number of ongoing research projects such as Coastwatch, Seasearch, IWDG reporting schemes.

There are three full time volunteer positions available for start June – end Sept 2016. Preference will be given to candidates that can volunteer for longer periods of time and who fit the below requirements. (More positions may also be available in August so please include how long you can come for and when you are available).  

Education and Outreach officer duties (2):

Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will:

• Develop the marine education programme
• Supervise children and adult marine workshops on the beaches and in the centre
• Show people around the exhibition centre
• Generate marine awareness presentations and games
• Give marine wildlife presentations 
• Provide marine wildlife talks on boats when possible
• Host travelling marine workshops
• Create educational and promotional resources
• Promote social networking and public relations
• Assist in research and field survey work
• Work in gift shop/booking office/exhibition reception

Research development officer duties

Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will:

• Develop research and survey programme incl. Coastwatch, Shore Thing, local nature studies & trails
• Record, organise data and report to relevant organisations
• Supervise local headland watches for marine mammals and birds
• Organise and conduct public whale watches from local headland 
• Set up and attend boat based surveys when possible
• Provide talks/presentations on marine wildlife and survey involvement
• Encourage the public in surveys - citizen science
• Teach children and public survey methods
• Promote social networking and public relations
• Work in gift shop/ exhibition reception & centre/booking office

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

• Background in marine biology/environmental science or similar 
• Keen interest in marine conservation and education
• First Aid skills 
• Be enthusiastic and possess a caring, patient & positive attitude, with a strong desire to learn
• Strong commitment to volunteering work
• Must be able to use own initiative and have desire for independent actions/thoughts and work without continuous supervision
• Ability to work well in a team 
• Confidence to interact with the public, especially children
• Excellent verbal and writing/reporting skills
• Good organizational and workload management skills
• Good IT skills

Desirable:

• Strong interest in and knowledge of Irish marine biodiversity
• Previous experience snorkeling or scuba diving certificate 
• Previous experience in public speaking
• Marketing and social media skills
• Previous experience working with children
• Previous experience in survey work (e.g. headland watches, coastal surveys)
• Previous experience in data handling
• Previous experience with aquaria
• Ability to work long hours outdoors in variable weather
• Capability to work well on boats
• Life saving and Advanced First Aid skills
• Have own transport

Opportunities:

• Live in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland for the summer
• See some of Ireland’s amazing marine life on watches and surveys
• Snorkel, or possibly scuba dive (if qualified) and observe Ireland’s coastal waters
• Work with like-minded and enthusiastic team
• Visit UNESCO world heritage site Skellig Micheal
• Be part of survey vessels, wildlife tour boats and Skellig trips
• Develop your skills in marine surveying, outreach, education and awareness
• Gain experience with Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust in salmon and seatrout conservation measures
  

To view more of Sea Synergy and the area where you could be working watch this video clip from a programme featured on TV3 Lucy Hunt - Sea Synergy Waterville, Co. Kerry 

Or see our schools promo clip on our new Youtube channel

Shared accommodation can be arranged with the Sea Synergy team at your own expense (ranging from €50-70pw depending on house availablity).

TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter with your CV and available times for summer 2016 to Lucy Hunt at seasynergy@gmail.com. TITLED: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Application deadline is 20^th of Feb. Interviews will be conducted in March via skype/tel or in person. For more information please send an email to seasynergy@gmail.com  or call +353 (0) 877850929.

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