The Sea Watch Foundation (http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/) is seeking an Education and Outreach Assistant for the 2019 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. This position can be very busy, so applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to deal with varied and heavy workloads.
The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with the following duties:
- Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch event (27th July – 4th August 2019)
- Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools
- Researching and writing articles
- Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyer)
- Assisting in the organisation of training courses
- Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, website)
- Raising Sea Watch Foundation’s profile locally (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier, liaising with local boat operators to produce educational materials)
- Interacting with the media (radio, TV and newspapers)
- Representing Sea Watch at public events and within the UK generally
- Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and the Adopt a Dolphin scheme
The Education and Outreach Assistant will also have some opportunity to be involved in the fieldwork aspects of the ‘Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project’ (http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/cardigan-bay-monitoring-project; land-based and boat-based surveys). This project, undertaken on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, manages the conservation of a coastal 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 2019 and has been split into four periods of seven weeks for Research Interns. Our Education and Outreach Assistant is required to stay for at least half of the season (choosing Period 1-2 or 3-4) but can also choose to stay the whole season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £73/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.
Education & Outreach Assistant periods for summer 2019:
Period 1 & 2: 08/04 – 14/07
Periods 3 & 4: 15/07 – 20/10
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
- a strong interest in marine conservation and education
- outgoing personality with 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, including appropriate delegation
- an ability to get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation
Desirable:
- a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- a strong interest and some knowledge of British cetaceans
- good IT skills (Office package)
- prior experience in public speaking
- experience with postings in social media
- prior experience in boat-based survey work
- willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather
To apply:
Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for, as well as contact details of two referees, to Chiara Giulia Bertulli (chiara.giulia.bertulli@seawatchfoundation.org.uk).
Deadline: 4th February 2019.
Please specify EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title.
Applicants must be available for interview via Skype between the 11th and 15th February and will be notified of the outcomes by the 17th February 2019.
The Sea Watch Foundation
The Sea Watch Foundation is a national marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. It is the longest-running research charity in UK focusing upon cetaceans around the British Isles, and maintains a national sightings database, the largest in Europe. It works closely with all the UK statutory conservation agencies, and has provided advice to the UK government, the UNEP Regional intergovernmental Conservation Agreement – ASCOBANS, and the European Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine industries operating in the UK.
Public awareness
We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the marine environment for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods.
A list of recent of recent awareness and education achievements is given below:
- Sea Watch Director, Peter Evans, received the European Cetacean Society Conservation Award, 2012
- Sea Watch Foundation was recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS “Outreach and Education Award”, 2009
- Sea Watch Foundation was voted best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife, December 2008
