Sea Watch Foundation – Voluntary Education and Outreach Assistant opportunity based in Cardigan Bay for the 2016 summer season The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking an Education and Outreach Assistant for the 2016 season. This position will suit a volunteer who 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 event (23rd – 31st July 2016) • 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, website) • Raising Sea Watch Foundation’s profile locally (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier, liaising with local boat operators to produce educational materials) • Interacting with the media (radio, TV and newspapers) • Representing Sea Watch at public events within the UK generally • Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and the Adopt a Dolphin scheme The Education and Outreach Assistant will also have some opportunity to be involved in the fieldwork aspects of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” (land-based and boat-based surveys). This project, undertaken on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, manages the conservation of a coastal population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project. The field season will run from April to October 2016 and has been split into two periods of 6 weeks followed by two periods of 8 weeks. One assistant is required for each half of the season. However, preference may be given to those who can stay for the entire seven-month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £70/week in a house, sharing with the research interns. 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. Intern periods for summer 2016: Period 1: 18/04 – 12/06, Period 2: 13/06 – 07/8, Period 3: 08/08 – 18/9, Period 4: 19/09 – 30/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: • a strong interest in marine conservation and education • outgoing personality with confidence to interact with the public • excellent 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, including appropriate delegation • an ability to get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation Desirable: • a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar • a strong interest and some knowledge of British cetaceans • good IT skills (Office package) • prior experience in public speaking • experience with postings in social media • prior experience in boat-based survey work • willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather To apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for, as well as contact details of two referees, to Kathy James (kathy.james@seawatchfoundation.org.uk). Deadline: 10th January 2016. Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title. Applicants must be available for interview via Skype between the 20th and 26th January and will be notified of the outcomes by the 29th January 2016. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a national 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. It is the longest-running research charity in UK focusing upon cetaceans around the British Isles, and maintains a national sightings database, the largest in Europe. It works closely with all the UK statutory conservation agencies, and has provided advice to the UK government, the UNEP Regional intergovernmental Conservation Agreement - ASCOBANS, and the European Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine industries operating in the UK. Public awareness We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the marine environment for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. A list of recent of recent awareness and education achievements is given below: • Sea Watch Director, Peter Evans, received the European Cetacean Society Conservation Award, 2012 • Sea Watch Foundation was recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS “Outreach and Education Award”, 2009 • Sea Watch Foundation was voted best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife, December 2008 -- [1] Katrin Lohrengel / Wales Development Officer katrin.lohrengel@seawatchfoundation.org.uk Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House, Wellington Place, New Quay, Wales, SA45 9NR http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/ [1] [2] [3] Links: ------ [1] http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/ [2] https://www.facebook.com/seawatchfoundation?ref=ts&fref=ts [3] https://twitter.com/WelshCetaceans