Work & volunteer

2010-06-07T08:24:00Z

“Fellow whale watchers: ask not what whales & dolphins can do for you – ask what you can do for whales & dolphins”. With apologies to the memory of JFK, but if you’re inspired and want to offer your free time and skills to help, there are many organisations and companies that could use you.

Start here to check out some opportunities, or if you’re an org or biz that needs volunteers then Planet Whale can help you advertise for the skills you need. This page details current work and volunteering opportunities available from whale and dolphin conservation organisations and whale watch operators. It is currently free to list your work and volunteer opportunities on this page. Simply email us with a brief summary and link to further information.

Australia

Hervey Bay’s Oceania Project is currently running its 21st Whale Research Expedition and inviting interns for 2010. http://www.oceania.org.au/expedition/internship.html

Italy

Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute based in Sardinia is looking for volunteers to assist with ongoing research between February and November. http://www.thebdri.com/education/volunteers.htm

Spain

CIRCE are offering land-based volunteering programs on large cetaceans throughout summer 2010. Visit http://www.circe.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=103〈=en for more info.

United Kingdom

Charity Director for ORCA (Organisation Cetacea)
Location Portsmouth. Full Time Contract. Salary £38-40k dependent on experience. Closing date for applications Monday 13 September 2010

ORCA is the marine conservation charity dedicated to forging links between people and the sea. ORCA is committed to the study of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and promoting their conservation through enthusing, inspiring and educating others.

We are seeking a Director, based in Portsmouth, to build on the successful growth over the last few years and to take the Charity to the next level. A wide range of skills will be required, including strong leadership, strategic planning, project management, communication, grant funding experience and general management.

As the main ambassador of the Charity, they will provide support to the Board and manage a small team to ensure high quality delivery, robust financial management and growth through the achievement of strategic goals and objectives.

The ideal candidate will;
• be a creative self-starter, a motivator with proactive entrepreneurial skills, capable of building on established successes
• be a strong communicator, able to liaise successfully at all levels with Charity stakeholders including conservation partners, funders, staff, members and volunteers, as well as the wider community
• possess the business and management acumen required to manage a growing charity through an exciting period of change
• have proven project management and fundraising success as well as experience of managing budgets
• ideally have experience of the voluntary sector and be a committed conservationist with an interest in the marine habitat

A full Job Description and Application form can be downloaded at http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/vacancies.htm

Marine Biodiversity Officer for The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of whales, dolphins and the Hebridean marine environment through research and education. HWDT is currently looking for a Marine Biodiversity Officer to be based on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. HWDT’s marine biodiversity officer will work on its boat and land based projects and will undertake the running of the science programme. A substantial part of the job involves being the main monitoring officer onboard “Silurian”: undertaking a variety of marine mammal surveys and overseeing land-based monitoring projects. He/she will work with and supervise volunteers on most projects. An additional role involves representing the Trust on local and regional forums. The appointee must be a qualified marine biologist with appropriate field and analytical experience. The successful applicant will be recruited early in 2011 however there may be an opportunity for suitably qualified early applicants to shadow the current Marine Biodiversity Officer onboard Silurian, HWDT's research vessel towards the end of the 2010 field season in late September. We are therefore interested in receiving early notices of interest, however the closing date for formal applications is 31 October 2010.

Please send your CV and a covering letter to admin@hwdt.org. For further information about HWDT, please see our website www.hwdt.org or contact the main office on +44 (0)1688 302 620.
HWDT is based in Tobermory on the Hebridean Isle of Mull. HWDT’s research and education work takes place in and around the islands of the Hebrides and West Scotland.

USA

NOAA offshore spill response assessment contract employees needed. DC&A is recruiting oceanographic field technicians for offshore spill response assessment work. http://www.observernet.org/obsforum/showthread.php?t=1960

Various summer jobs available with San Juan Safaris based in Washington. http://www.sanjuansafaris.com/jobdescriptions.html

San Juan Island Kayak guiding jobs offered by Outdoor Oddysseys for 2010. http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/job.html