Sea Watch Foundation – Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay for the 2014 summer season The Sea Watch Foundation <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> is seeking an education and awareness assistant for the 2014 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 2014 event (26thJuly to 3rd 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 (boat shows etc.) · 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 the opportunity to be involved in the field work aspects of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/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 2014 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 £55/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 2014: Period 1: 14/04 – 25/05, Period 2: 26/05 – 13/7, Period 3: 14/07 – 31/8, Period 4: 01/09 – 19/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: * a strong interest in marine conservation and education * confidence to interact with the public * good 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 To apply: Please send your CV, covering letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for and contact details of two referees, to Danielle Gibas (danielle.gibas@seawatchfoundation.org.uk) Deadline: 10th January 2014. Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 31st January 2014. 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 advises UK government, the UNEP Regional intergovernmental Conservation Agreement - ASCOBANS, the European Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine industries operating in the UK. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of the region. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and Environment Wales; and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Public awareness We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife 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