The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking a Research and Outreach Assistant for the 2023 season at its new field office on Anglesey, North Wales, to engage in an exciting new citizen science initiative to engage local communities and visitors in observing and recording marine mammals and birds as part of a marine conservation project.
This position will suit a volunteer who has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of raising awareness of the marine environment by involving the public from all age groups. This position can be very varied, so applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to deal with varied tasks from public outreach to boat based survey and scientific data collection. They will be encouraged to take initiatives with education & outreach activities in the region which due to its natural beauty receives large numbers of visitors during the summer.
The assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
- Overseeing the activities of the team of up to six interns resident at any one time, with support from the Project Manager
- Raising Sea Watch Foundation’s profile locally (organising events, talking to the public, liaising with local stakeholders to develop further internship activities)
- Developing surveys of marine mammals and seabirds in the area of SW Anglesey and Caernarfon Bay, undertaking watches from land and participating in boat-based surveys
- Engaging with local communities, encouraging and training citizen scientists to collect data on marine mammals and seabirds
- Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch education and outreach activities (29th July – 6th Aug 2023)
- Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools/groups, as well as using our specialised talks at local events
- Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers)
- Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs, website) on a routine basis
- Interacting with the media (radio, TV and newspapers), including preparing press releases
- Participating in training courses in Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Representing Sea Watch at public events around Anglesey and Gwynedd
- Training and supervision will be provided by the Project Manager for the duration of the R&OA stay.
The field season will run from June to October 2023 and for Research Interns it has been split into periods of 5 weeks. Our Education and Outreach Assistant is required to stay for at least half of the season (choosing Periods 1-2 or 3-4) but can also choose to stay the whole season. The assistant will be based on the Bodorgan Estate, Anglesey. Accommodation will be provided rent free in a house shared with the Research Interns. The assistant is responsible for their own travel and living costs including utility bills.
Education & Outreach Assistant periods for summer 2022:
Periods 1 & 2: 5 June – 9 July & 10 July – 13 August
Periods 3 & 4: 14 August – 17 September & 18 September – 22 October
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
- a strong interest in marine conservation and education
- outgoing personality, confidence and experience in public awareness
- some experience of working with children/young people
- excellent verbal and writing skills and some experience of public speaking
- experience with postings on social media
- must have initiative, motivation, the ability to bring their own ideas and personality to the position and be able to think on your feet
- strong commitment to volunteering work
- work independently, in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload.
- the ability to delegate, get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation
- should always represent SWF professionally
- ability to work and live cooperatively with other volunteers in an isolated location
Desirable:
- a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar
- a strong interest and some knowledge of British marine mammals and birds
- good IT skills (Office package)
- willingness to work long hours, sometimes outdoors in very changeable Welsh weather
- one’s own transport (travel costs within the project will be covered)
- Ability to speak Welsh
To apply:
Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have, specifying the period(s) for which you would prefer to volunteer, as well as contact details of two referees,to:
Jenny Bond (Project Manager) jenny.bond@seawatchfoundation.org.uk and
Prof. Peter GH Evans (SWF Director) – peter.evans@bangor.ac.uk
Deadline: 12th May 2023.
Please specify “ANGLESEY RESEARCH AND OUTREACH ASSISTANT APPLICATION” in your subject title.
Applicants must be available for interview via Skype between 15th-18th May and will be notified of the outcome by the 19th May.
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 the 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 inter-governmental Conservation Agreement – ASCOBANS, and the European Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine industries operating in the UK.
For the past 21 years, Sea Watch Foundation (http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/) has been monitoring the dolphins, porpoises and whales that inhabit Cardigan Bay in West Wales, documenting abundance trends, identifying conservation threats, and advising on the best ways to protect the populations both within and outside the Special Areas of Conservation. Alongside its own scientific surveys and research, Sea Watch has for more than thirty years pioneered citizen science as well as run a range of education and outreach programmes.
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 and seabird identification and survey methods.
