Summer Volunteer Opportunities with Cetus’ Robson Bight Warden Program!

Cetus Research & Conservation Society is a non-profit marine conservation organization. Cetus is dedicated to protecting the lives of whales in the wild through research, education and direct intervention. Cetus was founded in 2005 to address the increasing endangerment of BC's killer whales due to human activities. We focus directly on one of the three key contributors to killer whale endangerment: vessel traffic disturbance. We work in the field to protect whales and other marine mammals from harassment and harm. As vessel traffic in the region increases, Cetus's work becomes more and more crucial to their survival. For more information please visit our website: www.cetussociety.org

The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program operates in Johnstone Strait, in the waters around the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, on the traditional territories of the Namgis, Tlowitsis, and Mamalilikulla peoples. Cetus is grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from these groups each season.  The ecological reserve is designated for the protection of critical habitat of the northern resident killer whales. This is a unique area where the whales often come to rub their bodies on specific smooth pebbled beaches. Our marine wardens monitor vessels and marine mammal populations and educate boaters and kayakers about the reserve and the impacts around it. The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program is comprised of two parts; a water-based monitoring and educational component, and a land-based monitoring station called Eagle Eye, situated on a cliff opposite the ecological reserve.

Cetus is looking for enthusiastic, hard-working, and motivated individuals to fill the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program Summer Volunteer positions:

Volunteer positions will be based out of a rustic field camp in Boat Bay on West Cracroft Island, located near Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Positions will be offered between June 24^th and September 5^th 2024. Preference will be given to those who can stay for the full 10 weeks.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be involved with a variety of possible tasks ranging from education and interpretive talks to marine mammal monitoring and data collection. Our programs focus on protecting British Columbia’s northern resident killer whales, and other marine mammal populations from vessel traffic, while encouraging others to do the same. Volunteers will have the opportunity to spend time on our monitoring vessels, participating in data collection, data entry, and on-the-water boater education, as well as spending time at Eagle Eye, participating in giving interpretive talks to visitors, data collection, photo identification of cetaceans and data entry.

Responsibilities include:

• Educating boaters, kayakers, park visitors, and members of the public about the marine mammal viewing guidelines, Be Whale Wise Guidelines (BWWG), marine species at risk, the conservation issues they face, and the boundaries of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve
• Collecting and entering accurate data on marine mammals and vessel activity, both on the water and from the land-based monitoring station
• Observing and recording cetaceans in support of the BC Cetacean Sightings Network
• Assisting with general administrative duties 
• Camp duties, which include cooking, cleaning, general maintenance, and heavy lifting

 What skills and experience will volunteers gain?:

• Educating the public on important conservation issues
• Field data collection and entry
• Interpretive skills and techniques
• Photo identification of cetaceans
• Helping on a marine monitoring vessel
• Working with Microsoft Access
• Living in and tending to a rustic camp

Essential Requirements:

• Fluent spoken English
• Interest in marine wildlife and conservation
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing schedules and duties
• Ability to work long hours, outdoors, in all weather conditions
• The ability to live & work comfortably in a remote coastal wilderness camp setting with staff & volunteers
• The physical ability to carry 40lbs of gear to and from the vessel to base camps (this varies from across the street to down a rocky shoreline). In addition to this, volunteers are required to hike, 3km (each way), from the base camp to the observation site on alternate days, which takes approximately 1 hour (one way)
• Positive attitude geared towards teamwork

Additional Information: These positions are unpaid and carry a cost of $150/ week ($1500 for the season) for volunteers to cover accommodation, extra fuel, and group dinners. Volunteers will be responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Warden volunteers will need to bring their own tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag. Tent pads and tarps will be provided as will camp cooking equipment etc. 

How to apply: Please forward your cover letter, resume, and two references via email by April 1^st, 2024.  Please indicate your availability. While we thank everyone for their interest, only successful applicants will be contacted.

Contact: Astrid Waite, Cetus Research & Conservation Society, Email: robsonbight@cetussociety.org