Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre

New Quay

Wales

 

www.cbmwc.org

 

Bottlenose dolphin research volunteers

 

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting volunteers for the 2013 season (March to November) to collect data on the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay and to help run our visitor centre and educational activities.

 

About CBMWC

The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is a non-profit organisation based in New Quay, west Wales, UK and since 1996 has been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through education and research. Through boat-based and land-based surveys we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations, with a focus on the photo-identification of the semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). 

 

Position description

Volunteers are required for specific periods from 20th March through to 5th November 2013 to help with our ongoing research, education and awareness-raising programmes concerning the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay. CBMWC is almost entirely run by volunteers, so if you are successful in your application, you will be an integral part of our team.

 

Volunteering at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation and meet new people who share your interests. You will learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, research methods, data processing, public awareness and education programmes. The data you collect will contribute to long running research studies on bottlenose dolphin site usage, abundance, photo-identification and acoustic studies.

 

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

·          Visitor centre operation, including dealing with enquiries and taking boat bookings

·          Land-based surveys in conjunction with Ceredigion County Council

·          Boat-based surveys*

·          Educational activities with children and the general public

·          Data entry and checking

·          Updating sightings information

·          Beach cleans

 

* Please note that boat surveys are weather dependent and volunteers take turns to join trips to act as onboard researcher. During times of bad weather, you will spend more time doing data entry and visitor centre work.

 

You will be expected to work up to 8 hours a days, six days a week. Field work can involve long periods outdoors, in often inclement weather. All volunteers are expected to contribute to all CBMWC activities, tasks and field work and to attend all training sessions provided. As such, if you are only looking to gain field experience, this is not the opportunity for you.

 

 

Essential skills

·          An interest in wildlife and conservation

·          Positive, reliable, conscientious and mature attitude

·          Ability to work as part of a small team

·          Strong work ethic with an ability to work unsupervised

·          Adaptable and patient (particularly as boat work is weather dependent)

·          Confident in dealing with the public both face to face and over the telephone

·          Fluency in English

·          Willing to ask for help if unsure and admit mistakes

 

Desirable skills

·          Interest and/or experience of working with children in environmental education

·          Research and surveying experience

·          IT, photography/videography (own equipment required), design and fundraising skills are useful but not essential

 

Please note that enthusiasm for our work and the marine environment is as valued as experience, since full training is provided.

 

Student projects

We welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students who need field work (including boat) support and office space to conduct their research projects. Dedicated boat time can be made available. Please note that we do not have a list of specific project ideas but if you have a project idea in mind, please contact us to discuss whether your ideas are feasible.

 

Time commitment

Volunteers are needed from 20th March until 5th November 2013 for five separate blocks ranging from 4 to 9 weeks. Volunteers must be able to commit to an entire block and priority will be given to volunteers who are able to commit to more than one block. Applications are encouraged from volunteers who would like to join the team for the majority of (or entire) season and would like gain additional experience in photo-ID, volunteer training and coordination. Volunteers living locally who are available on a part-time basis are welcome year round and are greatly appreciated.

 

Volunteering dates 2013

·          Block A: 20th March to 16th April (4 weeks)

·          Block B: 17th April to 14th May (4 weeks)

·          Block C: 15th May to 9th July (8 weeks)

·          Block D: 10th July to 10th September (9 weeks)

·          Block E: 11th September to 5th November (8 weeks)

 

Volunteer fee

An administration fee of £35 will be required from all successful applicants.

 

Accommodation and expense arrangements

Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of £55 per week, including fuel bills. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs.

  

How to apply

Download an application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/, complete it and email it to volunteer@cbmwc.org with ‘Volunteer application 2013’ in your subject line. Please make sure you fill in your availability. Electronic applications are preferred but applications can be posted to the address below.

 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 1st February 2013

 

Postal address:

FAO: Laura Mears 

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre

Patent Slip Building

Glanmor Terrace

New Quay

Ceredigion

SA45 9PS

Wales

 

For further information

Visit www.cbmwc.org/

If you have any questions please email volunteer@cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on +44 (0)1545 560224.

 

 

 

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Support our research - adopt a Cardigan Bay dolphin with the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre

 

Raise money for CBMWC with each internet search you do - it doesn't cost you a penny http://sites.affilyon.co.uk/cbmwc

 

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre

Patent Slip Building

Glanmor Terrace

New Quay

Ceredigion

SA45 9PS

Wales, UK

 

Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224

E-bost/E-mail: info@cbmwc.org

Website: www.cbmwc.org

 

For all the latest news and sightings information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter or become a fan of our Facebook page

www.cbmwc.org

http://twitter.com/CBMWC

http://facebook.com/CBMWC

 

Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is supported by the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Group, a marine interest group of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

 

Helping to conserve Cardigan Bay's marine wildlife through education, interpretation and research

Helpu i warchod bywyd gwyllt morol Bae Ceredigion drwy addysg ac ymchwil

 

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