miércoles, 22 de julio de 2009

Empleo: American Cetacean Society!

Executive Director

Job Description

Summary:

The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Cetacean Society (ACS). The Executive Director works at the direction of the ACS President, is responsible to the Board of Directors, and is evaluated by the Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the implementation and management of Board objectives and directives, consistent with ACS's mission and financial objectives.

Introduction:

ACS has been without an Executive Director for over 15 years. The President and Board have been filling the role in the interim, assisted by an office administrator. ACS's 2009 budget is $180,000. The National and Chapter Boards are eager to welcome an Executive Director who is suited to help build upon our strengths while developing a sustainable future.

Program Development and Administration:

* In conjunction with the Board of Directors, assure that ACS has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
* Provide leadership in developing program, organizational, and financial plans with the Board and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the Board.
* Support the Chapters and promote development of new chapters.
* Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of ACS's work.
* Maintain official records and documents; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
* Develop and maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in cetacean biology, management, and conservation.

Budget and Finance:

* Develop and maintain sound financial practices.
* Work with the Treasurer and the Board to prepare a budget; ensure that ACS operates within budget guidelines.
* Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit ACS to carry out its programs.
* Jointly with the President and Secretary of the Board, conduct ACS's official correspondence; jointly with designated officers, execute legal documents on behalf of ACS.

Communications & Marketing:

* Ensure that the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of ACS and all important factors influencing it.
* Publicize ACS's activities, programs, and goals.
* Establish sound, collaborative relationships with community groups and other organizations.
* Represent ACS's programs and point of view to agencies, organizations, and the general public.
* Oversee publication of ACS's newsletter Spyhopper and journal Whalewatcher.

Staff and Volunteers - Recruitment, Retention, Training, & Evaluation:

* Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers. (Note: there currently is one part-time office administrator on staff.)
* Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
* Encourage staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff and volunteers in relating their specialized work to the total program of ACS.
* Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff (including volunteer staff) of top quality people.

Conditions of Employment:

* The normal work week is 40 hours weekdays, including occasional evening and weekend work.
* Occasional travel required.
* Paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave.
* Health insurance, FICA, Workers' compensation, unemployment insurance.
* The continuation of employment is contingent upon successful fundraising.

Qualifications:

* Minimum of two years experience working in a nonprofit organization, including supervising paid and volunteer staff and working with a volunteer President and Board of Directors.
* Bachelor's degree in a related field.
* Successful experience raising money and managing fundraising programs. Proven ability to obtain grant funding and manage a membership program.
* Experience in nonprofit fiscal management, including fund accounting, budgeting, and grant management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Demonstrated ability in written and oral communications and interpersonal skills.
* Proven ability to develop and execute a strategic plan.
* Demonstrated conceptual skills and problem solving capabilities.
* Proven ability to think "outside the box".
* Computer skills (M.S. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, QuickBooks, internet, etc.).
* Background in marine mammals, including natural history, policy, and conservation desirable.

Personal Characteristics:

* A leader who can articulate a vision and motivate people to act with a shared vision.
* An individual whose style is at once decisive and direct as well as collegial and approachable.
* A person who is accessible, supportive, and flexible.
* An executive with a "hands on" approach to work and a passion for results.
* A good listener who inspires confidence and trust and is open to ideas of others.
* An excellent manager who respects and supports the capabilities and independence of staff and volunteer leadership.
* A person with integrity, a good sense of humor, and a high level of energy.
* A conservationist with enthusiastic commitment to ACS's mission, growth and development.

E-mail cover letter, resume, a one-page writing sample related to fundraising, and the names and contact information of three professional references to: acsedsearch@acsonline.com. Position open until filled.

The American Cetacean Society is an equal opportunity employer.

About ACS: The American Cetacean Society protects whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions. Founded in 1967, ACS is the oldest whale conservation group in the world. ACS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in San Pedro, California with chapters in Orange County, Los Angeles, Channel Islands (Santa Barbara and Ventura), Monterey, San Francisco, and Puget Sound (Seattle). Our members live throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries. We take our responsibility as participants in the web of life seriously, and volunteer our time and resources to not just protect whales, dolphins and porpoises, but to promote the health of our oceans and ultimately our planet as well. For more information, visit:

http://www.acsonline.org .

Kathy Zagzebski

President & Executive Director

The National Marine Life Center

P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street

Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269

phone: 508 743-9888 x301

cell: 774 313-8850

fax: 508 759-5477

e-mail: kzagzebski@nmlc.org

http://www.nmlc.org/

Voluntariado: Hawaii!!

Pacific Whale Foundation (Maui, Hawaii) is seeking interns for its Marine Mammal Research Program. Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting whales and other marine life through research, education, and conservation. Our researchers have studied whales and dolphins throughout the Pacific for over 29 years and we currently conduct projects in Hawaii, Australia and Ecuador. To learn more, please visit www.pacificwhale.org

Pacific Whale Foundation is seeking dedicated individuals to assist with our research efforts. Interns will work in the research lab at Pacific Whale Foundation headquarters in Ma?alaea, Maui. Intern positions involve working with our Research Staff to process and analyze data from our humpback whale studies in Australia, as well as our odontocete (toothed whale & dolphin)
studies in Hawaii. Tasks will include photo-identification matching of whale flukes and/or dolphin dorsal fins, data entry, scanning archived slide images, and other duties. Additional opportunities to assist with data collection in the field and on the research vessel may become available.

No prior research experience is required; full training will be provided. Applicants should have basic computer proficiency; experience with Excel and Photoshop is preferred. Attention to detail and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team are also desired qualities.

Positions are available immediately and will remain open until filled. Accepted applicants will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week for a 6-week period. Shorter durations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. As a reward for their hard work, interns will be offered a
complimentary ticket for a snorkeling/dolphin watching eco-tour each week. There is no financial compensation for these positions and interns are responsible for their own living and transportation expenses. Shared intern housing is available for a reasonable fee.

To apply, please send a cover letter, current resume, and two letters of recommendation to research@pacificwhale.org. If you prefer to mail your application, all materials should be sent to:

Research Department
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Ma?alaea Rd., Ste. 211
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 856-8305

Actividades: curso de necropsia y extracción de oídos en delfines!!

CURSO INTERNO DE PROMAR NECROPSIA Y EXTRACCIÓN DE OIDOS EN DELFINES

Hola amigos y amigas, en esta ocasión y siguiendo con las tareas de formación y esta vez para los miembros y colaboradores-voluntarios de PROMAR, realizamos un curso interno sobre "Necropsias y extracción de oidos en delfines".

El curso será coordinado por el Jefe del Equipo Veterinario de PROMAR, Emilio Guil Galindo, en la clínica veterinaria sita en la calle Baleares (bocacalle Avenida Cabo de Gata), en Almería, participando María Morell investigadora del Laboratorio de Aplicaciones Bioacústicas y el Equipo Veterinario de PROMAR.

Colabora: Laboratorio de Aplicaciones Bioacústicas (LAB, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña).

Fecha del curso: 1 de agosto de 2009

Hora: 11 horas.

Lugar: Clinica Veterinaria en la calle Baleares (bocacalle Avenida Cabo de Gata), en Almería.

El curso constará de una necropsia a un delfín. Se expondrá el protocolo que se debe desarrollar para practicar la necropsia y cómo se ha de actuar para extraer los oidos para su posterior estudio de posibles daños efectuados por la contaminación acústica. Se mostrará paso por paso la metodología que ha de usarse para la extracción y fijación de los oídos por inyección.

Este curso se desarrolla con la colaboración del Laboratorio de Aplicaciones Bioacústicas (LAB, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña). El LAB tiene como objetivo principal el desarrollo de aplicaciones capaces de limitar los efectos del ruido antropogénico en el mar y contribuir al desarrollo sostenible de las actividades marítimas.

La investigadora Maria Morell, componente del LAB, realiza su tesis doctoral, analizando la ultraestructura de la cóclea de cetáceos y el posible efecto de la contaminación acústica marina.

Para realizar este estudio se necesitan un gran número de oídos de animales muy frescos (y no congelados) de diferentes especies. Y es muy conveniente también obtener muestras de distintos puntos de la costa Española para poder así llevar a cabo un estudio comparativo cuyos resultados permitirán asesorar sobre la relevancia de los factores acústicos en varamientos.

Se ruega que los compañeros y compañeras que quieran asistir lo confirmen a traves del correo electrónico o teléfono.

Hasta pronto, cordiales saludos

Eva María Morón
Licenciada en Veterinaria y Coordinadora de PROMAR

PROMAR-Almería
(Programa de Recuperación de Fauna Marina de Almería)

promar.almeria@nodo50org
http://www.almediam.org/Promar/Promar_000.htm

lunes, 13 de julio de 2009

Empleo: Hawaii!

TAKE REDUCTION TEAM (TRT) COORDINATOR

NOAA Fisheries Service's Pacific Islands Regional Office is currently accepting applications for a Take Reduction Team (TRT) Coordinator.

The person filling this position will ensure Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) compliance with statutory authorities pertaining to take reduction teams, including implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Section 118, coordinating efforts with the Office of Protected Resources, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, the State of Hawaii, and other partners and stakeholders. The person filling this position will also: lead PIRO responsibilities for MMPA
take reduction rulemaking, permitting, and coordination with co-managers/stakeholders; serve as PIRO lead on cetacean Take Reduction Issues; and develop PIRO's cetacean take reduction program.

The deadline to apply is July 17, 2009. For more information regarding duties, evaluations, and applications, please refer to www.usajobs.gov.

The job announcement number is: NMF-PIR-2009-0015. The agency contact is Barbara Schloetter, barbara.w.schloetter@noaa.gov .

NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office's Protected Resources Division is dedicated to protecting and recovering endangered and threatened species of sea turtles, monk seals and cetaceans as mandated by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Through management, conservation and recovery efforts as well as public outreach and education, the program strives to ensure the recovery and survival of the protected marine species of the Pacific Islands Region for future generations. More information is available at www.fpir.noaa.gov

Lisa Van Atta
Assistant Regional Administrator
Protected Resources Division
Pacific Islands Regional Office
NOAA Fisheries Service
1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
alecia.vanatta@noaa.gov

Empleo: Morsas en Alaska!!

Walrus Program Supervisor Position Available
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Marine Mammals Management Program
Anchorage, Alaska

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL: Friday, August 07, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Rosa Meehan
Division Chief, Marine Mammals Management
Email: rosa_meehan@fws.gov
_ _ _ _ _ _

The Marine Mammals Management Program of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking a highly motivated and conservation oriented individual to lead the Walrus Program. The office is responsible for the conservation and management of Pacific walrus, polar bears, and sea otters and the goal is to maintain these marine mammal populations as healthy, functioning
component of the marine ecosystem. The program takes an ecosystem approach to management, carried out through the cooperative efforts of many partners. Management and research efforts are coordinated at the local, state and international level. Current challenges focus on understanding the effects of climate change, notably the extreme retreat of sea ice, on
the ice-dependent species and developing appropriate management strategies.

Additional information about the program is at:
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/index.htm

The ideal candidate will have a background in population biology and arctic marine ecology, ability to work with people, and skills needed to provide leadership to highly motivated and independent professionals. Minimum requirements include at least one year of specialized experience and an advanced degree in biological sciences. For additional information, see
the job announcement on USA Jobs:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?jobid=81297752

The full time position is located in Anchorage, Alaska. Some travel is required, including international travel as well as travel to meetings and for field work within the State. Salary is at the GS 13 level and is commensurate with qualifications and previous government experience. See job announcement for details.

Applications must be submitted through USA Jobs, details can be accessed through the Job Announcement listed above or by going to:
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov and searching by title (Supervisory Wildlife Biologist GS-486-13) and agency (FWS).

Eventos Internacionales: Quèbec!

July 20th is the early registration deadline for the SMM 18th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE ON THE BIOLOGY OF MARINE MAMMALS

Save between $25 US and $120 US by taking advantage of the early registration which will remain open until July 20th. Please note that July 20th will also be the early registration deadline for exhibitors and vendors. For those of you who have submitted an abstract, results about acceptance of submissions will be announced on July 10th, in time to benefit from the early registration rates.

For students looking for some support, travel grant applications will be accepted until July 12th.
You can find all the information related to the conference and registration on the website: http://conference.marinemammalogy.org.

Registration is done online using a single transaction with credit card or Paypal. Optional extras, such as banquet tickets, dinner cruise on the St Lawrence River and the Conference Poster by Pieter Folkens, Marine Mammals from the Northern Cryosphere, can also be purchased online through separate transactions.

Don't forget to look under the Program tab, to find out and register to the 23 workshops and symposia that will be held at the Quebec Conference Centre on October 10th and 11th.
If you don't already know, the 18th biennial conference will be held at the Quebec Convention Centre (http://www.convention.qc.ca) in Quebec City, Canada from October 12th to 16th 2009. It is a nice time to visit Quebec City that celebrated its 400th Anniversary in 2008 (http://www.quebecregion.com).

Jean-Fran?ois Gosselin
18th Biennial Conference registrar
congres_smm2009@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Actividades: Cursos Investigación en Gales!!

Cetacean Survey Training Course in New Quay, West Wales

Join a short course to learn all about British cetaceans, how to survey for them, and contribute to their conservation!

DATE FOR THE 2009 TRAINING COURSES IS SET!

Two-days weekend course, 5th-6th September 2009

The course will consist of illustrated lectures and video presentations as well as headland watches and boat surveys aboard a local research vessel. The area where land and boat trips will be undertaken is the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a place well-known for the presence and high sighting frequency of bottlenose dolphins (the largest population in the UK), harbour porpoises and grey seals. These populations are protected in the SAC following the 1992 EU Species and Habitat Directive.

The Sea Watch Foundation is the most experienced organisation in the UK for training observers and students interested in marine mammals, having run courses for over ten years. It has provided training for staff from all three national statutory conservation agencies, the Environment Agency, CEFAS, Department of the Environment, Wildlife Trusts, Royal Navy, and MMOs working with the oil and gas industries. Most of the field guides on cetaceans on the market in UK have actually been written or had consultations from the Sea Watch Foundation. Thus we hope we can guarantee a very high level training course given by highly experienced staff.

The lectures and videos will focus on general biology and classification of cetaceans, species identification, conservation issues facing UK cetaceans, and recommended monitoring survey methods. The course will be based at New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales, where our Welsh office is based, and will provide an unparalleled opportunity to see marine mammals in the wild and to contribute to cetacean conservation in Britain.

The practical element of the course will combine both land and boat-based surveys allowing participants to directly learn how to conduct systematic watches and fill in standardised recording forms.

Land and Boat-based work will teach participants the skills needed for:

- identifying the various cetaceans species found in the area
- estimating group size and distinguishing between calves, juveniles and adults
- determining cetacean behaviours
- assessing sea state and other key environmental features
- learning some basic photographic techniques aimed at identifying single individuals

Please note that, due to the unforeseeable weather conditions, the program might change and, in case of particularly adverse weather, the field trips may have to be modified.

All participants will receive a detailed manual on how to record and monitor cetaceans, a species identification booklet, and a certificate for completing the course. The courses will be taught by
experienced and enthusiastic staff from the Sea Watch Foundation.

The price for the course is ?180.00 and includes lectures, boat and land surveys, insurance and all the materials provided, but excludes meals, travel and accommodation.

To book a place or for further information please contact Sightings Officer, Gemma Veneruso. Tel: 01545 561227,
gemma.veneruso@seawatchfoundation.org.uk.

Actualidad: investigación desde Ferries!

In Italy different Institutions (both of public and private sector), Universities and NGO have joined forces to undertake a large scale cetacean monitoring programme from passengers ferries.

The network, active since 2007, monitors presence, relative abundance, distribution and migration timing of cetacean along the following routes:

- Civitavecchia-Golfo Aranci (since 2007) in the Central Tyrrhenian sea;

- Livorno-Bastia and Savona-Bastia (since 2008) in the Pelagos sanctuary;

- Calvi-Nizza (from 2009) in the western part of the Pelagos sanctuary.

On the research the network has already submitted two different MS (5 pages “full-paper”) for the 2008 and 2009 ECS proceedings.

Summer weekly sightings can be checked of the following blog:

http://lericerchedelleviatano.blogspot.com/

Empleo: Rhode Island!

BIOLOGIST POSITION

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center located in Newport Rhode Island is seeking qualified candidates with environmental planning, marine biology, and management skills to serve as a lead in support of various U.S. Navy environmental planning projects. Job tasks will be geared
towards the needs of Fleet/NAVSEA customers and teaming with other Navy service providers for biological analyses, marine species monitoring, and overall compliance with NEPA, EO12114, ESA, MMPA, CZMA.

Individuals selected for these positions will directly support environmental planning for U.S. Navy. Individuals will team with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) within the Marine Resources Support Group (MRSG) to support the U.S. Fleet Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and NAVSEA Commands. The MRSG is a group of Navy biologists, scientists, and environmental planners who have particular expertise or experience in environmental planning and regulatory compliance in the marine environment. The incumbent will prepare and review marine related documentation including endangered species and marine mammal consultation packages, Environmental Assessments (EAs)/Overseas Environmental Assessments (OEAs), Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs), mitigation and monitoring plans, and related special environmental studies or technical reports assessing the environmental impacts of proposed Navy actions involving at-sea operations, training, and testing. The incumbent selected will be expected to participate in consultations with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), coordinate projects with a multi-disciplinary team, and participate in project management for research and compliance documents.

Experience or knowledge of the following is highly desirable: project management; marine mammals; sea turtles; principals of underwater acoustics; statistical principles and methods; ESRI GIS products; environmental legislation and DoD/Navy policy. This is not a field
biologist position, but there are numerous opportunities for travel.

The positions are located onsite at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Division in Newport, Rhode Island and are open to all U.S. citizens.

OPEN PERIOD: Thursday, July 09, 2009 - Thursday, July 23, 2009

For questions about this job please contact the NUWC Recruitment Office,
Phone: 401-832-1017, email: patricia.johnson.3@navy.mil

Eventos Internacionales: IMATA!

The annual conference of the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) will be held 2 - 6 November 2009 in Atlanta,?GA.

- Conference registration and?paper/abstract submission are available online at www.imata.org.

- Discounted registration is available for registrations received by 31 August 2009.

For more information, please visit the conference tab of IMATA's web site at www.imata.org.

Actividades: investigación manatíes en Ghana!!

We are pleased to announce the 3rd and final year of West African Manatee Research Training Programme. This is an opportunity for African scientists to participate in the Earthwatch/NCRC West African manatee community conservation and research project on the Afram Arm of Volta Lake, Ghana. Over the past 2 years we have trained 15 individuals from 8 West African countries.

In 2009 we will be running 2 teams:
Team 1: 18th ? 31st October 2009
Team 2: 15th ? 29th November 2009

Earthwatch has funding to bring 8 West African scientists and conservationists to join each training expedition. The Earthwatch Capacity Development Programme covers the costs of the training and all travel expenses to/from the rendezvous site in Accra, Ghana. However, all Fellows MUST commit to the entire 2-week training programme.

We are targeting nationals in West African countries who already have an interest in manatee research and conservation or who have the potential to start a West African manatee conservation research project in their own country. Following last year?s success, we are especially interested in hosting young and/or female scientists.

Training includes: Introduction to the Order Sirenia, History of Manatee Evolution, Manatee Field Research Techniques, Field research equipment and data sheets training; Manatee Genetics, Manatee habitat measurements and water quality analysis and Conservation Strategies for the Protection of Sirenians.

Training seminars and field work will be done each day. Our work in Volta Lake is done under primitive and hot conditions (huts and tents) from a remote field station near a small village on the northern coast of the Afram Arm of Volta Lake. Last year, highlights of the expedition included a football match and special ceremony in the adjacent village.

If you would like to apply for this training opportunity, please contact sstauntonlamb@earthwatch.org.uk Nomination forms must be completed and submitted by 10th August 2009

Cheers from Earthwatch, Nature Conservation Research Centre, Dr. Patrick Ofori-Dansen, Lucy Keith and Caryn Self-Sullivan

About Earthwatch
Earthwatch is an international environmental charity which is committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of life on earth to meet the needs of current and future generations. Our mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
Earthwatch has a global reach, with offices in Oxford (UK), Boston (USA), Melbourne (Australia) and Tokyo (Japan).
Website: www.earthwatch.org/europe

About NCRC
Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) is recognized internationally as a leader in developing rural ecotourism and community protected areas as a means of economic development and resource conservation. NCRC?s initiatives have facilitated sustainable economic development in scores of poor rural areas of Ghana and other nations in West Africa. Founded in Ghana in 1996, NCRC has grown rapidly to become Ghana?s leading indigenous conservation organisation, as well as a key actor in West African civil society.
Website: http://www.ncrc-ghana.org/

About Sirenian International
Sirenian International, Inc., is a organization of grassroots people who share a dedication to manatee & dugong research, education, and conservation through inter-cultural collaboration. We are a partnership of scientists, students, educators, conservationists, and the public. We believe in the process of integrating science, education, and culture to catalyze positive change in our shared environment, Mother Earth
Website: http://www.sirenian.org/

About Wildlife Trust:
Wildlife Trust is an international organization of scientists dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity. For more than 35 years, Wildlife Trust has focused its efforts on conservation. Today, we are known for our innovative research on the intricate relationships between wildlife, ecosystems and human health. Wildlife Trust Research Scientist Lucy Keith is the lead on West African manatee projects and currently conducts research in Gabon, Angola, Senegal and is in the process of building a collaborative partnership for manatee genetics with researchers from 15 West African countries.
Website: http://www.wildlifetrust.org/edge_of_the_sea/project.shtml