Re-submission, due to problem with the mailing-list. ________________________________ From: Simona Sanvito <simo_esrg@eleseal.org> Sent: September 3, 2017 3:15 PM To: marmam@lists.uvic.ca Subject: MARINE MEGAFAUNA OF THE FALKLANDS - Field helpers recruitment - SECOND CALL VOLUNTEERS FIELD HELPERS RECRUITMENT - SECOND CALL -------------------------------------------------- PROJECT: Long term study of marine megafauna of the Falklands. POSITION: Volunteer (unpaid) field helper. DURATION: 2 months and a half; arrival in the Falklands 23/09/2017; departure from the Falklands 02/12/2017. LOCATION: Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic. Sea Lion Island on Google maps: https://www.google.com/maps?q=Sea%25Lion%25Island,%2520Falkland%25Islands IMPORTANT - DEADLINE: application should be submitted by Friday 8th of September 2017, 12 PM Falklands time. Please note that only two positions are still available. DUTIES: - Southern elephant seals: counts, marking, mapping, observation of behavior, pup handling, collection of samples, sedation and handling of females for TDR and satellite tag deployment - Killer whales: photoidentification, observation and videotaping of behavior, necropsies of preys - Falklands skuas: counts, nest identification and mapping, observation of behavior - Striated caracaras: counts, nest identification and mapping, observation of behavior - Marine birds: counts and mapping of different species of marine birds (different species of penguins, cormorants, gulls, geese, and ducks) - Environmental monitoring: collection of microclimatic data, habitat classification, collection of GIS data DESCRIPTION Volunteer field helpers are required for the 2017-2018 field season of various long-term research projects on marine megafauna of the Falkland Islands carried out by the Elephant Seal Research Group. The field work site is Sea Lion Island. Successful applicants will receive adequate training and will help with: - a long term project (22 years) on individual life histories and breeding strategies of southern elephant seals - a long term project (4 years) on social and hunting bejaviour of mammal-eating killer whales - a study of Falklands skua demography, behavior and vocal communication - various monitoring projects on the different marine and raptor bird species breeding on Sea Lion Island - general environmental monitoring of the island, including the collection of data for the Sea Lion Island GIS Volunteers will be supervised by the PIs and/or by trained technicians. Previous experience of field work is appreciated but not essential. Only applicants who can stay for a whole period can be taken into consideration. Applicants are required to pay all expenses to get to Sea Lion Island, and telephone/Internet expenses while there. Accommodation and food at SLI will be provided by the ESRG. Accommodation on SLI is rather basic and self-catering, but comfortable for a field research setting (heating, hot water, shower, Internet connection hotspot in the nearby lodge). Applicants are also required to arrive with proper clothing, suitable for the harsh climate of the Falklands, which can be quite expensive (details about what is needed will be provided). We are asking volunteers a 200 UK pounds contribution to help us with management expenses and research equipment maintenance. Applicants will be required to work in the field for the whole length of the day, six days per week. Once per week volunteers will not work in the field. That day they will carry out two hours of house keeping and four hours of data processing, being free for the rest of the day. Volunteers are required to help with cooking, cleaning of their cabin and general maintenance tasks . The data collection protocol is complex, the field work is physically very hard, and it is often carried out in bad weather conditions. People without a good tolerance to cold are discouraged to apply. It is a very rewarding, but demanding, experience. The island is a wonderful place with large unspoiled sandy beaches, and a very rich and very tame wildlife, it is the best hot spot for wildlife oriented tourism in the Falklands, it is an Important Birds Area and an Important Plants Area, a RAMSAR convention site, and it is a National Nature Reserve. APPLICATION To apply please send 1) a cover letter describing your interest in the position and summarizing your qualifications for it, 2) a detailed CV, and 3) a copy of an identification document (with picture). Reference letters (3 maximum) are appreciated, but not essential, and should be sent directly to the email address mentioned below. If you think you may have extra documentation that can be relevant (eg, copy of a thesis, certificates, etc.) please mention them in your email, but don't send them unless requested. Please place all documents in a single PDF file, name it as "your_surname - ESRG2017 - application", and email it as an attachment of an email to dr. Filippo Galimberti (fil_esrg@eleseal.org). Deadline for applications is September 8th, 2017. Thanks The ESRG team