Round Island Plant Field Biologist - Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

The MWF are seeking a Plant Field Biologist with GIS skills who will be responsible for implementing the 12 month project from the 1st August 2017, to meet specific project objectives to improve the long term management and monitoring of plant species survival and habitat restoration. The restoration of Round Island represents one of the most important programmes for the MWF, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Government’s Nationals Parks and Conservation Service. A major component of the restoration work has involved rebuilding the vegetation community to improve the conservation status of plant species, but also to enhance habitat for the threatened invertebrate, reptile and seabird communities. Round Island is a Closed Nature Reserve, 22.5km off the north-east coast of Mauritius and staffed by a team of Wardens operating from a field station based on the island.

The MWF in collaboration with Durrell are seeking applicants to work within the Islands Restoration Programme to: create a GIS plant distribution/habitat map for the island, with locations of all planted and priority species; repeat historical study plot surveys and establish new study plots to track the long-term survival of planted species; obtain soil samples and relevant ecological data to determine causes of differential plant survival within the different planting sites; develop a field based tablet for data collection;  establish methods and protocols for long-term monitoring of plant survivorship; assist the Wardens in plant propagation and planting of critically endangered ebony trees and other critical species within favourable planting sites identified within this project.

Applicant requirements:

• Plant species identification skills (knowledge of lowland/coastal native Mauritian and introduced plant species is preferred, although training will be provided);
• Knowledge of horticulture, plant propagation and planting  techniques;
• Sound understanding of GPS and GIS mapping techniques;
• Experience with establishing and conducting habitat surveys, with analytical and statistical (R) knowledge;
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and tablet based spreadsheet applications, and data management;
• Have at least a Bachelor degree in the biological sciences or a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience;
• Good physically fitness and able to live in basic field conditions on Round Island for four in every six weeks;
• Good written and spoken English;
• A full clean driving license is preferred.

We need the applicant to commit to 12 months from 1st August 2017. Personal equipment needs are basic (eg work clothes, sturdy boots, sun protection, reliable watch, LED head torch, thin sleeping bag and/or bed sheet, mosquito net, mobile phone).

To apply:

Please send a CV (resume) and a covering letter (with the word ‘Plant’ followed by your surname and initials at the start of each file name), by email to: executive@mauritian-wildlife.org