Education & Awareness Assistant

Sea Watch Foundation – Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay for the 2015 summer season

The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking an education and awareness assistant for the 2015 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 2015 event (25^thJuly to 2^nd August)
• 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 profile within the New Quay community (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier at weekends etc.)
• Representing Sea Watch at public events around the UK
• Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and Adopt a Dolphin

The education and awareness assistant will also have some opportunity to be involved in the field work aspects of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” (land-based and boat-based surveys). This project 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.

The field season will run from April to October 2015 and has been split into one period of 6 weeks followed by three periods of 7 weeks. 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 seven month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £60/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 2015:

Period 1: 13/04 – 24/05, Period 2: 25/05 – 12/7, Period 3: 13/07 – 30/8, Period 4: 31/08 – 18/10

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

• a strong interest in marine conservation and education
• 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
• 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