Organization: Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation
Program
Job
Type:
Internship
Location: Carnarvon, Western Australia
WA
Posting
Date: May
06, 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 e
ndangered 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.
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 each year, 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.