Scientific Internship Program

Gnaraloo is a wilderness tourism business and working pastoral station on the Ningaloo Coast in North Western Australia, adjacent to the Ningaloo Marine Park and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. It abuts 65 km of coastline, including southern parts of the Ningaloo Reef and four Marine Sanctuary Zones. The Indian Ocean borders Gnaraloo to the west.

GNARALOO TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM (GTCP)

The Gnaraloo Station Trust commenced the scientific Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program (GTCP) on-ground in 2008 to identify, monitor and protect key coastal nesting rookeries of endangered sea turtles on Gnaraloo beaches, namely loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. The Gnaraloo Bay Rookery is the largest confirmed mainland nesting rookery for loggerhead sea turtles in Western Australia, with consecutive full season surveys from 2008/09 – 2014/15 (and ongoing). Together with the Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar Rookery, it supports and contributes to the third largest loggerhead turtle population in the world. The GTCP collects baseline data on sea turtle nesting activities along the Gnaraloo coastline to identify trends and required management activity to protect endangered marine species and critical coastal nesting habitat; engages the community and schools in conservation activity; trains young scientists for professional careers; builds capacity and knowledge shares its findings.

GTCP SCIENTIFIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The GTCP will appoint interns from Australia and overseas to be part of the program from 16 October to 30 April. The interns work, under direction and guidance, as part of the scientific GTCP field team to undertake required daily surveys of nesting turtle and feral predation activities in monitored rookeries, community and school participation with the program, data analysis, scientific reporting and other office work. All work by the GTCP field team is co-ordinated and managed by a site based GTCP Program Assistant and offsite GTCP Project Manager, an experienced environmental scientist, who also manages Gnaraloo’s Environmental Office.

The program interprets and works mainly with turtle and feral animal tracks. Survey work includes daily turtle track monitoring with day and night patrols, turtle species identification, turtle nesting activity determination, data collection on turtle nest locations through use of GPS equipment, and turtle nest disturbance and predation by feral species and environmental factors. Feral animal tracks are also monitored daily to report on the presence of threats in monitored rookeries for adaptive management activity. Office work involves daily data entry, management and analysis; data QA/QC; preparation of the annual scientific report with GIS maps and other wide program responsibilities, including program promotion through web postings, media articles and hosting VIPs. The GTCP field team also hosts and interacts with community and school groups during onsite educational field excursions and through presentations at primary and high schools and community groups in various regional towns in Western Australia and the Perth metropolitan area.

The interns work at Gnaraloo (October – February) and in regional and metropolitan locations in Western Australia (March – April).

See Facebook & www.gnaraloo.com.au for field diaries, photos, videos and reports of previous years.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXPERIENCE

Work on spectacular beaches

Contribute to biodiversity conservation in a world heritage area

Undertake field research of national and international significance

Gain valuable project experience and training

Network with professionals in your field of interest

Snorkel in a spectacular coral reef system that is full of marine life

Meet people from all over the world and from different backgrounds

Experience pastoral life

Have the time of your life and learn more than you’ve ever imagined

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

This is a phenomenal opportunity for young scientists seeking commercial experience, professional development and work in the coastal zone. Candidates with a Masters or Honours degree in the scientific field will be favourably viewed, particularly those with some commercial or project experience post degree. Previous sea turtle tracking experience is desirable (particularly with loggerhead and green turtles), but not essential as training is provided in Western Australian monitoring protocols.

YOU MUST HAVE the following skills and traits to suit the position (all, not only some): spoken and written English to a high professional standard; strong scientific, technical and analytical abilities; accuracy with attention to detail; ability to follow work instructions; strong work ethic; ability to work both independently and in teams; high competency and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; maturity; patience; friendliness; a willingness to learn; strong communication and interpersonal skills; passion; enthusiasm; commitment; problem solving ability; no nonsense attitude; perseverance; reliability and practicality.

The program is for persons with previous experience away from home and university settings and/or project work in remote locations. You must have already lived away from home, be able to stand on your own and cope in a remote location without family, friends, urban delights and distractions for a long period. You must be available for the entire season’s work, not only part thereof.

Before arrival, you must have a current driver’s licence, a first aid certificate, police and working with children clearance, travel insurance (if applicable) and medical insurance, all of which is valid in Western Australia for the duration of your work on the program.

RESPONSIBILITY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

The program will provide interns with accommodation, meals, utilities, training in Western Australian turtle monitoring protocols, feral track identification, remote survey work and 4WDriving and required travel within Western Australia for program commitments.

You will be responsible for your own travel to Carnarvon via Perth in Western Australia; any required entry visas into Australia and associated costs for travel to and from Australia. Travel expenses, including return airfares, may be provided upon application for outstanding candidates who would otherwise not be able to afford to participate with the program (assessment of which is entirely at the discretion of the program). The Gnaraloo Station Trust is an approved sponsor who may nominate a person for a training and research visa. Please note that successful visa processing under this category by the Government may take 3 months or longer.

APPLICATIONS

You must submit the following in your application package:

1. A cover letter describing why you are seeking this opportunity, your tertiary qualifications, relevant commercial or project experience and other information which makes you suited to the internship position.
2. A resume including two referees of your most recent academic, commercial or project experience.
3. Copy of scientific paper(s) that you have written.
4. Reference letters from your stated referees that describe why you would be able to work positively in a small scientific team who depends on each other; live happily in a setting that is remote and isolated; have work and personal life intertwined for months on ends; survive without daily support of family and friends; interact and contribute positively to the small permanent community at Gnaraloo.

You will need to be in Carnarvon in Western Australia on 16 October to commence work with the program.

Submit your application to gtcpintern@gmail.com by 30 May , under e-mail title of ‘(Insert your Surname and Country)_GTCP Internship application’.

Gnaraloo Station is 1,055km north of Perth, via the town of Carnarvon, in Western Australia.

Direct any questions to:

Paul Richardson

++ 61 (0) 8 9942 5927

Facebook: Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program

www.gnaraloo.com.au (Conservation pages)

The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program (GTCP) and the Gnaraloo Feral Animal Control Program (GFACP) are privately funded and managed by the Gnaraloo Station Trust. The GTCP and the GFACP are also supported by other partners and entities including the Australian Government, Rangelands NRM Western Australia, the Department of Parks and Wildlife (WA), Esri Australia and Animal Pest Management Services.