The Irish Seal Sanctuary is a registered charity dedicated to providing shelter, treatment and rehabilitation for rescued marine wildlife found in difficulty around Ireland’s coast. The ISS strives to improve the welfare and conservation of seals and other marine animals and create awareness and understanding of Ireland’s coastal environs and their wildlife communities.

The ISS has been rescuing and rehabilitating seals since 1988 in Garristown, Co.Dublin.

After many attempts to relocate and create a national marine conservation and education centre, the ISS is finally relocating to Courtown, Co.Wexford and building a facility that will be open to the public.

To make the move a success, the ISS is urgently looking for full time volunteers to join our dedicated and experienced team to help run this first season in the public eye, and rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured seals. We are looking for volunteers who are able to come for a minimum of 3 months starting from December 2010.

Job description:

The resident volunteers will participate in hands-on daily animal rehabilitation; giving critical care to sick or injured seals, coordinating rescues and releases; keeping accurate detailed records; maintaining animal facilities, including hospital units and pools; maintaining and cleaning public facilities, including the visitors centre and public pathways; and giving tours and actively interacting with the public.
The ISS rescues and rehabilitates from 60 to more than 80 seals a year.  Harbour seals arrive in the summer months, usually from June to August/September and grey seals in the winter, usually from September until March/April.
The work hours are long (9-12 hours) and physically demanding. The volunteers work 5 days a week, with two days off. The position is unpaid, however shared accommodation and basic groceries are provided. Volunteers are required to have an advanced level of English, in both speaking and comprehension.  We accept volunteers internationally but ask that their own transportation to and from Ireland is their responsibility.

Responsibilities/duties will include (but are not limited to):

The volunteers will report to the animal managers and will be trained in

• Food preparation
• Safe animal handling and restraining
• Tube feeding, force feeding, hand feeding seals
• Knowledge of the natural history of harbour and grey seals
• Record keeping
• Administration of injections and oral medications
• Assisting in rescues and releases nationwide
• General cleaning duties of animal and public facilities
• Hygiene and quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of disease etc.
• Assisting veterinarians in surgical and medical cases when required
• Interacting and giving tours to the public

Qualifications:

20 years or older, with a full driving licence, advanced level of English comprehension and speaking and have an avid interest in marine mammal care and rehabilitation. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience in animal care.

Skills/Experience:

• Experience in handling wildlife preferred
• Ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation, working and living within a small group in rural setting
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• A commitment to wildlife, conservation and volunteer work
• Flexible and reliable working attitude
• Willingness to work long hours outdoors in Irish weather
• Be self-motivated, show initiative and an ability to work without constant supervision
• Experience in interacting with the public/ public speaking
• Able to lift 20kg and be in good physical shape
• Be enthusiastic and eager to help and learn

To apply for this position please fill out an application form, available at www.irishsealsanctuary.ie, and send to Lynn Moore at lynn_generalmanager@irishsealsanctuary.ie

For general information about the Irish Seal Sanctuary visit this website www.irishsealsanctuary.ie