Volunteering: Marine Mammal Care Center!!

The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is offering hands-on Veterinary and Husbandry internship opportunities. Spring rotations beginning in February are currently needed. Standard rotations are 10 weeks in duration, 30 hours per week, but alternate rotations can be accommodated. Duties may include cleaning, food preparation, water quality monitoring/maintenance, animal handling/restraint, recordkeeping, and assisting with husbandry, medical or facility tasks. Interns are responsible for their own transportation, housing and medical insurance. This is an unpaid position.

Please submit application and necessary forms (available at www.marinemammalcare.org), as well as current cv via mail (no email) to:

Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur
3601 South Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Attn: David Bard

Volunteering: California!!

Okeanis, a non-profit organization located in Monterey Bay, California is seeking two interns for THREE months minimum and FIVE months maximum (January 2010 - May 2010) to work on data entry and analysis related to bottlenose dolphins and sea otters in the area.

There is also some fieldwork mainly related to otters during this season. Data entry involves Excel, Access, GIS and analysis using statistical programs.

The internship requires 30 hrs per week of office/field work which includes data entry, analysis, secretarial duties when necessary, web searches, organization of material, analysis of sea otter scat samples and field work collecting abundance and behavioral information, feeding ecology and himan disturbance parameters. Fieldwork occurs during a pre-set schedule that may include nighttime shifts. Some boat work may be involved.

We offer: large room (shared with other intern) in household (no commuting to office which is in same building) and food. There is no stipend or travel money so interns would have to arrange for their own travel to Monterey Bay. The rest of the time the intern could seek employment in the area or have off.

Candidates should have a minimum of a degree in Natural Sciences, data entry experience, computer skills and some field work experience. Selection of candidates is competitive. Please send a letter of interest and Resume.

Contact:
Daniela Maldini, Ph.D.
President and Chief Scientist
Okeanis
7981 Moss Landing Road, Unit A1
Moss Landing, CA 95039
dmaldini@okeanis.org
www.okeanis.org

Volunteering: study orcas!

Get off-campus and study wild killer whales for 10 weeks next spring or fall!? Apply now to conduct your own research with the Beam Reach Marine Science and Sustainability School.

Beam Reach is for you if you want to:

-- study endangered orcas and the salmon they eat
-- use advanced bioacoustic tools in your own project
-- network with experts in killer whale conservation
-- learn to sail a biodiesel-electric catamaran
-- explore the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest
-- earn 18 credits from the University of Washington

Check it out at: http://beamreach.org?mrmt11/24/2009

We are currently accepting applications for the Spring 2010 program (March 29 - June 05) and Fall 2010 program (August 23 - October 30).? To apply you should have completed your first year of college, be interested in the marine environment, and want to spend 10 weeks off-campus in an intensive field research experience.

Start your adventure! Complete this simple application form:
http://www.beamreach.org/apply.html?mrmt11/24/2009

Upcoming dates for review of complete applications are Dec. 7 and Jan 4.

Let us know if you have any questions!
Dr. Scott Veirs
info@beamreach.org

Recent publication:
Holt, et al. (2009) Killer whales increase their call amplitude in response to vessel noise
http://www.orcasphere.net/2008/12/11/killer-whales-call-louder-as-vessel-noise-increases?mrmt11/24/2009

______________________________________________________________
Beam Reach | Marine Science and Sustainability School
www.beamreach.org | 206.251-5554
7044 17th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Employment: Florida!

PART-TIME (20 hrs/wk) MANATEE RESEARCH BIOLOGIST

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS: $11.00/ hr, no benefits

LOCATION: Tequesta, FL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include answering pages and calls from a seven county area on the southeast coast of Florida (St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, Monroe and Okeechobee counties). Recover manatee carcasses, conduct field necropsies on badly decomposed manatee carcasses, and transport fresh to moderately decomposed manatee carcasses to the necropsy facility in St. Petersburg. Participate in the manatee rescue network, including capture and transportation of injured manatees throughout SE Region to the appropriate rehabilitation facility. Photograph manatees for the Manatee Photo-Identification System (MIPS), assist in telemetry projects and aerial surveys, assist in outreach programs, general cleaning of equipment and vehicles, general maintenance of boats and trailers, data entry, and other tasks assigned by the supervisor. This position is designed as a part-time position, working on weekends, as well as unscheduled hours on short notice that! include evenings and holidays.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor's degree with a major in one of the biological sciences or a combination of relevant coursework and job-specific experience. A valid driver's license is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Preference will be given to those applicants with a working knowledge of marine mammal biology, with the ability to work independently and as a team-member, accurately record data in the field, safely trailer and operate boats up to 22 feet in length, back trailers safely and accurately, and to swim with sufficient skill to save one's life in the event of an emergency. Preference will be given to those with knowledge of basic camera operation (including zoom lenses and polarizing filters), word processing and database software skills, able to think logically and apply problem-solving techniques, and effectively communicate verbally and in writing. Applicant must obtain a boater safety certification within the first six months of employment. Applicant must be able to lift 50 lbs.

This position is open until filled, with an immediate start date.

Please send a letter of interest, CV, and three references to Christy Hudak at Christy.Hudak@myfwc.com

Christy Hudak
Research Associate
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Tequesta Field Lab
19100 SE Federal Hwy
Tequesta, FL 33469
561-575-5407

Volunteering: Manatees in Florida!

Manatee Tracking Project Research Intern or Volunteer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Marine Mammal Research Group is looking for one motivated intern or volunteer to serve for the upcoming winter-spring session in St. Petersburg, FL.

Position description:

The intern's primary responsibility is to assist researchers in the Manatee Behavioral Ecology and Movements Program with tracking manatees along the East Coast of Florida by following tagged individuals from land and small boats to record behavioral observations. The principle aims of this study are to characterize manatee use of warm-water refugia and essential winter foraging habitat using state-of-the-art satellite-linked GPS technology.

Other duties include telemetry equipment maintenance, data entry, miscellaneous office tasks, and public outreach as needed.

Interns are expected to work a minimum of 3 days a week. Hours are generally Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, but some evening and weekend hours may be required. Applicants should understand that this job requires them to be wet, dirty and outdoors in all weather conditions. This position is unpaid, housing is not provided and interns must provide their own transportation to and from the office.

Lodging and transportation are provided while at the field site. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in manatee captures, currently scheduled for mid-December. Field work is expected to last through March, followed by work on equipment and data in the lab. Training will be provided in operating small watercraft, radio-tracking, manatee behavioral observations, and in mapping and interpreting Argos and GPS satellite telemetry data. Opportunities to assist with other manatee research projects may be provided dependent upon the candidate's interests and abilities.

Qualifications:

- Must be college junior or senior for internship credit; volunteers do not need to meet this qualification

- Must have basic computer proficiency

- Some field research experience with animals preferred

- Should be comfortable speaking to the public while in the field

- Ability to trailer and operate watercraft up to 22' in length is desired, but training will be provided

- Experience with radio telemetry tracking gear is desirable, but training will be provided

- Must be able to swim

- Preference given to applicants who possess a valid US driver's license

Application Process:

We are currently accepting applications for the winter 2009-spring 2010 session (December 2009- May 2010). Internships, which ideally last three to four months, require a minimum ten-week commitment. Starting and ending dates are flexible. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying. Please send an electronic or hard copy of your resume with your cover letter, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient if not applying for internship credit), a list of three references, and contact information to the following address. Electronic submissions are preferred.


TO APPLY:
Robin Allen
Internship Coordinator
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3095
Interns@MyFWC.com

Check out our website at http://research.myfwc.com

Volunteering: Australia!

The Marine Mammal Research Group of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, is currently looking for two volunteers during the summer season 2010. The boat-based surveys will be carried out in the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park, 200 km north of Sydney, from 15th February to 15th March 2010. Interns will participate in the field on a daily basis collecting behavioural and ecological data of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field training and analysis with experienced dolphin researchers.

Prerequisites:

Ideal internship applicants are at least undergraduates of a scientifically oriented university subject. Participants should have a motor boat driving license or at least very good boat driving skills. Volunteers must commit for the entire four weeks.

Accommodation and food are provided during the stay but applicants are responsible for all travelling expenses to and from the field site.

Interested applicants should contact Andre Steckenreuter:

astecken@gse.mq.edu.au

Regards,

Andre Steckenreuter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PhD Candidate
Marine Mammal Research Group
Graduate School of the Environment
Macquarie University 2109 NSW Australia

Ph: 0410862189
Email: astecken@gse.mq.edu.au

Volunteering: Sea Watch Foundation in Wales!!

Sea Watch Foundation Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2010

The Sea Watch Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) is seeking an education and awareness assistant to take part in the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project in New Quay, West Wales which manages the conservation of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK.

Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project. This position will suit a volunteer that 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:

- Participate in presentations and create activities to take to local schools
- Write news reports and articles
- Assist in the organisation and participation of annual event, National Whale and Dolphin Watch
- Come up with new educational initiatives
- Talk to the public about the marine environment and conservation of cetaceans
- Assist in the organisation of training courses

The assistant will also have the opportunity to be involved in the research, helping the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer, and will be expected to take part in the following tasks:

- Land-based surveys
- Boat-based surveys
- Photo-identification studies
- Database entry
- Acoustic monitoring
- Behavioural studies

The field season will begin in April until October 2010, which has been split into four separate periods of six weeks each. One assistant is required for each period however preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole six month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales.

Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately ?55/week in a house sharing with marine research volunteers. 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.

Volunteering periods for summer 2010:

Period 1
26/04 - 6/06,

Period 2
7/06 - 18/07,

Period 3
19/07 - 29/08,

Period 4
30/08 - 10/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

- A strong interest in marine conservation and education
- Confidence to interact with the public
- Good 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
- An ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation

Desirable:

- A background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans
- Good IT skills (Office package)
- Prior experience in public speaking
- Prior experience in boat-based survey work
- Willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather

Assistants also have the opportunity to learn about other research aspects such as cetacean observation and identification, line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals.

To apply:

Please send your CV, covering letter and contact details of two references, reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for to Gemma Veneruso (gemma.veneruso@seawatchfoundation.org.uk)

Deadline:
31st of January 2010.

Please
specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title.

Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22nd of February 2009.

Employment: Kenya!!!

GVI is currently recruiting for the Marine Research Field Staff vacancy based at our expedition in southern Kenya where we have been undertaking population research on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in and around the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area since 2006. The area is Kenya’s principal location for dolphin-watching tourism throughout the year and is visited by humpback whales between July and October.

GVI works in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service to monitor population size and distribution of cetaceans with the objective of supporting MPA management and related tourism activities. Additional projects assess in-water sea turtle distribution and local fishing activity. The position involves boat-based research for which RYA Powerboat handling level 2 or equivalent qualification is a requirement, management of the photo-identification catalogue, data analysis and reporting, training and supervision of international volunteers and Kenyan students, logistic and management support of the wider expedition which encompasses coastal forest research, education and sustainable development initiatives amongst rural communities.

Please visit the following link for further details and online application: http://www.careersabroad.co.uk/fulldescription.aspx?id=991

For any additional enquiries please contact Graham Corti graham@gviworld.com

Graham Corti
Regional Director
graham@gviworld.com

Kenya: +254 (0) 726 769854

International: +44 (0) 7812 177551

PO Box 10 - 80409 Shimoni, Kenya

http://www.gvikenya.blogspot.com