HWDT
Cetacean Sightings and Community
Education Officer
Over the
past three years HWDT established a pilot project that involved collecting and
collating cetacean sighting information, involving members of the public and
other marine users. HWDT has collated over 8,000 sightings of cetaceans from the
Building on
this work, HWDT would like develop a new Sightings and Community Education
Project. The project would have two elements.
1.
To engage
marine users, to increase their awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the
marine biodiversity of the
2.
Increase our
knowledge of the priority BAP species, the bottlenose dolphin. Very little is known about the west
coast of
(coastal inshore species) they are one of Argyll’s most visible
species.
By focusing
our efforts on well known flagship species which can be readily identified in
the field with we are able to not only gather important data regarding their
status and distribution but also capture the public’s imagination while sending
a clear, positive conservation and biodiversity message.
In the pilot
project we established good links with fish farm companies, fishermen and
wildlife operators which we plan to maintain. Up until now HWDT has not had the
resources to engage with recreational marine users.
The
Sightings officer would target recreational marine users including yachtsmen,
divers, kayakers, anglers as well as visitors to the area. We will target
different groups duration the 2 year project duration.
The
Sightings officer, with volunteer support, will work with guidance from the
Scientific Committee to implement the proposed Sightings and Community Education
Program. This includes the
following key tasks:
Encourage
marine-users throughout the
Maintain
sightings Access database, which will include supervision of the Sightings
Volunteer with the input of sightings data.. Generate up to date web-based maps
of sightings and sightings reports based on the database.
Encourage
the continuation of HWDT’s Logger program which encourages whale watching
operators to collect detailed effort-related data marine mammal sighting
data.
Tasks
include, onboard training and assistance; checking, maintaining and archiving
collected data. Analysis of
dataset.
Organise a
series of targeted talks and workshops to specific marine users identified
above. These events would focus on
highlighting the following issues:
Marine biodiversity
in the Argyll Region;
raise awareness of
the marine wildlife watching code, what to do in the event of a live or dead
strandings, the value of reporting sightings, and the effects of marine debris,
engaging many more people in working towards marine conservation
enhancement.
Focus on
promoting and encouraging participation to the sightings network. By engaging
the public, we will maximise sightings contributions to the Bottlenose dolphin
sightings network.
·
Assist in
ferry sightings project
·
You will
also continue to share updated information with the wider public and current
contributors to the Sightings Programme, through our website and quarterly
newsletters. Reports are also
required by Sea Watch Foundation, the Whale and Dolphin magazine, British
Wildlife Magazine ,WWF, Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme and NADAIR
·
Assistance
with Funding Proposals, through reports will also be
required
·
As part of
this project, HWDT would continue to work in partnership with many other
environmental organisations to develop an effective management framework that
ensures biodiversity is taken into account in all decision
making.
·
General
administrative duties related to the NADAIR community sighting
programme
·
Additional
duties may include attending strandings and a variety of other work which may
come up from time to time.
Desirable
Skills/Qualifications:-
a)
A degree in
a biological or environmental subject - ideally a subject with a large marine
component.
b)
Considerable
experience of database construction and analysis (access and
excel).
c)
Knowledge of
managing and setting up GIS packages.
d)
PR skills
including experience of public speaking and dealing with people with a wide
variety of backgrounds.
e)
Experience
of writing popular and scientific articles/reports.
f)
Excellent
marine life identification skills.
g)
Excellent IT
skills.
h)
Experience
of working as part of a small team.
i)
A full
driver’s licence.
General
Information:
Conditions:
The post-holder will need to operate as part of a
small team in a small but dynamic NGO.
Salary:
salary is based on a full time £13,104 pro rata.
As the post is ¾ time, this is £9828, although for
the first 6 months this post will be funded full time. There is a possibility
that the post will receive further funding beyond that
period.
Term of
Contract and Probationary Period: The
term of contract will be from the date of appointment until June 2007 and is
subject to satisfactory performance during the initial six-month probationary
period.
Location
and travel: HWDT is based on
Living on
Hours of
work:
Annual
leave: 17 working days leave plus 8
statutory public holidays. A day
off in lieu will be granted for any statutory holidays worked. In addition to
this the post holder will be expected to take 17 days leave during the winter
months from November – February.
Expenses:
Agreed travel, subsistence and other expenses arising from project work will be
paid in arrears. Interview expenses will be paid to short-listed candidates.
Relocation expenses are the responsibility of the
appointee.
Application Procedure
Please send a detailed curriculum vitae and covering
letter by 27 October with the names of two referees to: Cally Fleming, Executive
Director
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin
Trust
PA75 6NU