Organization: Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation
Program
Job
Type:
Seasonal
Location: Carnarvon, Western Australia
WA
Posting
Date: May
03, 2015
Deadline: May 30, 2015
Website: http://www.gnaraloo.com.au
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.
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.
The GTCP will
appoint a Program Assistant to be part of the program from 1 September to 30
May. The Program Assistant manages the scientific GTCP field team and works as
part of the 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. The Program Assistant receives work instructions, direction and
guidance from the 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 scope of work of
the GTCP Program Assistant includes all things turtle, to manage the work by
and undertake the same duties as the GTCP field team appointed under the GTCP
Scientific Internship Program and to lend assistance to the GTCP Project
Manager where required whether turtle or otherwise.
The GTCP Program
Assistant works in Perth (September), Gnaraloo (October – February) and in
regional and metropolitan locations in Western Australia (March – May).
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
Candidates with a
Masters degree in the scientific field and 3 – 5 years post degree commercial
or project experience will be favourably viewed. Previous sea turtle tracking
experience is highly desirable, particularly with loggerhead and green turtles.
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 lead and manage
teams; strong communication and interpersonal skills; high competency and
proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; ability to work
independently as well as in teams; maturity; patience; friendliness; passion;
enthusiasm; commitment; problem solving ability; no nonsense attitude;
perseverance; reliability and practicality.
The position is for
someone with previous commercial experience who can cope in a remote location
without family, friends and urban delights 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 position is as
an employee of the Gnaraloo Station Trust, on contract for a defined period.
The position includes standard workplace entitlements, including superannuation
and annual leave which will be taken at the end of the contract. The pay scale
will depend on your level of commercial experience, the other benefits on offer
and the unique opportunity to work in sea turtle conservation in a world
heritage area. Additionally, board, lodge and utilities will be provided whilst
you are onsite at Gnaraloo from October – February and travelling in regional
and metropolitan locations in Western Australia from March – May. The program
will also provide you with 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 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 an outstanding candidate who would otherwise not be able to
apply to work for 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 your previous commercial experience and other
information which makes you suited to the position of Program Assistant.
2.
A resume including two referees of your most recent 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 lead and manage a field team; 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; have the experience
base to know when to communicate key information to the offsite GTCP PM;
interact and contribute positively to the small permanent community at
Gnaraloo.
Submit your
application to gtcprecruit@gmail.com by 30 May each year, under e-mail title of
‘(Insert your Surname and Country)_GTCP PA 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.
