Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program Scientific Internship Program 2017/18
The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program is a scientific research and public outreach program aimed at identifying, monitoring and protecting marine turtle rookeries located along a 65 km stretch of beach at the southern end of the Ningaloo Reef, within the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area,Western Australia.
GNARALOO TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM (GTCP)
The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program (GTCP) monitors and protects key coastal nesting rookeries of endangered sea turtles on Gnaraloo beaches at the Gnaraloo Bay Rookery and the Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar Rookery. Turtles that nest at Gnaraloo are dominantly loggerhead (Caretta caretta), some green (Chelonia mydas) and possibly hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. The GTCP collects baseline data on turtle nesting activities for informed management to protect them and their critical coastal nesting habitat, to engage the community and schools in conservation, to train scientists for professional careers and to knowledge share its findings.
GTCP SCIENTIFIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
We will appoint interns from Australia and overseas to be part of the program from 15 October 2016 to 15 April 2017. The interns work, under direction and guidance, as part of the GTCP field team to undertake daily surveys of turtle nesting and feral animal activities in the 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 the site based Program Assistant and offsite Project Manager.
The program interprets and works mainly with turtle and feral animal tracks. Work includes daily turtle surveys with day and night patrols. Feral animal tracks are monitored daily to report on the presence of threats in monitored rookeries for adaptive management. Office work involves daily data entry, data QA/QC, data management and analysis, preparation of the annual scientific report with GIS maps and other wide program responsibilities, including promotion through web postings and media articles. The GTCP field team also hosts and interacts with community and school groups during onsite educational field excursions and through presentations in regional Western Australia and the Perth metropolitan area.
The interns start in Perth (October 2017), then work at Gnaraloo (October 2017 – February 2018) and in regional and metropolitan locations in Western Australia (March – April 2018).
See Facebook, www.gnaraloo.com.au and www.gnaraloo.org 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 local, national and international importance
Gain valuable training and project experience
Network with professionals in your field of interest.
Snorkel in a spectacular coral reef system that is abundant with marine life
Meet people from all over the world and from different backgrounds
Experience remote fieldwork
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
The four available internship positions are for scientists seeking commercial experience and professional development. Candidates with Honour or Master degrees in the scientific field will be favourably viewed, particularly those with some commercial and project experience post degree.
The internships are for persons with previous experience away from home and university settings. You must have already lived away from home, be able to stand on your own and cope in a remote location for a long period of time without family, friends, urban delights and distractions. You must be available for the entire season’s work, not only part thereof.
You must address the following selection criteria in your application bearing in mind that we are looking for candidates who are willing to learn, patient, friendly, flexible, committed, determined, reliable and practical. You should have a no nonsense attitude.
ESSENTIAL
1. Ability to follow and adhere to instructions and directions by managers and supervisors.
2. Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently and as part of a team structure.
3. Accuracy with Attention to detail.
4. Excellent scientific, technical and analytical abilities.
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Excellent problem solving ability.
7. Written English to a high professional standard.
8. High conversational English if English is not your first language.
9. Interest and enthusiasm for community engagement.
10.High competency and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
11.Passion and enthusiasm for conservation and the marine environment.
12.Ability to withstand remote and isolated conditions.
DESIRABLE
1. Previous sea turtle tracking/tagging experience with loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.
2. Performing spatial analyses and creating information products from the GIS.
3. Ability to produce technical reports and media articles.
4. Experience implementing community engagement programs.
5. Experience working in remote locations.
Before arrival, you must have the following (all to be valid in Western Australia and current for the duration of the program):
1) working holiday visa
2) full manual driver’s licence
3) first aid certificate
4) police (all) and working with children clearance (Australians only)
5) travel insurance (if applicable)
6) medical insurance
RESPONSIBILITY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE
We provide accommodation, meals, utilities, and required travel within Western Australia for program commitments. Training includes instruction in Western Australian turtle monitoring protocols, feral track identification and 4WDriving
You will be responsible for the cost of your travel to enter and exit the program via Perth in Western Australia, any required visas for Australia and associated costs for travel to and from Australia. Upon application, travel cost assistance may be provided to exceptional candidates from developing countries who would otherwise not be able to afford to participate with the program (assessment is at the sole 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 (if you miss any element, we will not consider your application):
1. A cover letter describing why you are seeking this opportunity and other information which makes you suited to the internship position.
2. A completed GTCP application form.
3. A resume including two referees of your most recent academic, commercial or project experience.
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 work force at Gnaraloo.
5. Copy of scientific paper(s) that you have written.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zfTu2tv8-HwPvyqtIVL8rWpH-07Ay_RTqXGSAvM6YZM/edit?usp=sharing
You will need to be in Perth, Western Australia no later than 15 October 2016 to commence work with the program.
Submit your application to gtcpintern@gmail.com by 15 July 2017, under e-mail title of ‘(Insert your Surname and Country)_Intern App GTCP1617’.
Gnaraloo Station is 1,055km north of Perth, via the town of Carnarvon, in Western Australia.
Direct all questions to:
Alistair Green
gtcpintern@gmail.com
See Facebook: Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program, www.gnaraloo.com.au/conservation and www.gnaraloo.org
The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program (GTCP) is privately funded and managed by the Gnaraloo Station Trust and the Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation. The GTCP is supported by other partners and entities including the Australian Government, Esri Australia and Brains Design.
