Sea Watch Foundation – Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay (UK) for the 2012 summer season

The Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) is seeking an education and awareness assistant to take part in the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” in New Quay, West Wales which manages the conservation of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project. This position will suit a volunteer that has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of educating and raising awareness by involving the public.

The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with the following duties:

• Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2012 event (27^th-29^th July)

• Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools

• Researching and writing articles

• Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers)

• Assisting in the organisation of training courses

• Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Blog, website)

• Raising Sea Watch Foundation profile within the New Quay community (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier at weekends etc.)

• Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and Adopt a Dolphin

The assistant will also have the opportunity to be involved in the research, helping the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer, and will be expected to take part in the following tasks in the field:

• Land-based surveys

• Boat based-surveys

There may also be the opportunity to help with some other office based duties if any are of particular interest such as:

• Photo-identification studies

• Database entry

• Acoustic monitoring

• Behavioural studies

The field season will begin in April until October 2012, which has been split into one period of 5 weeks and 4 separate periods of six week. One assistant is required for each period however preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole seven month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £55/week in a house sharing with marine research volunteers. The assistant is responsible for their own travel and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required.

Volunteering periods for summer 2012:

Period 1 09/04 – 13/05, Period 2 14/05 – 24/06, Period 3 25/06 – 05/08, Period 4 06/08 – 16/09, Period 5 17/09 - 28/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

• a strong interest in marine conservation and education

• confidence to interact with the public

• good verbal and writing skills

• must have initiative and bring their own ideas and personality to the position

• strong commitment to volunteering work

• an ability to work in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload

• an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation

Desirable:

• a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar

• a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans

• good IT skills (Office package)

• prior experience in public speaking

• prior experience in boat-based survey work

• willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather

Assistants also have the opportunity to learn about other research aspects such as cetacean observation and identification, line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.

To apply:

Please send your CV, covering letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for and contact details of two referees, to Danielle Gibas (danielle.gibas@seawatchfoundation.org.uk)

Deadline: 31^st of January 2012.

Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title.

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22^nd of February 2012.

The Sea Watch Foundation

The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council.