[SEMCO] Marine Mammal Internship

[sue rocca]

*Marine Mammal Internship with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society*

* *

WDCS North America (NA), headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is
accepting applications for internships. WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society, is the leading international charity dedicated solely
to the worldwide conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins, and
porpoises.



WDCS (NA) offers a volunteer / intern program to qualified applicants
throughout the year in a uniquely designed rolling internship program,
allowing each participant / student to customize their learning experience
based on their interest.  Although all accepted interns would be expected to
fulfill basic training in research, education and conservation of marine
mammals; WDCS will also provide more detailed training and provide oversight
for specific projects of interests. WDCS is willing to help qualified
students obtain credits for the program through their college or university.
The program typically requires minimum commitment of 3 months, with the
possibility of extended the term.



All interns are trained in photo-identification, data-collection and
management, identification catalog maintenance, public speaking, and marine
mammal policy. Based on time of year (due to field season constraints and
the varying conservation / management duties), and the motivational level of
successful applicants; the intern program may include all or some portion of
the following:



*Education and Outreach*

• Whale Watch Naturalist Training.

• Outreach to local schools and the general public.

• Assisting with and learning about the importance of ecotourism and best
practices.

• Writing up a synopsis of the work you conduct while interning with WDCS

• Helping to plan and execute fundraising events.

· Attendance at conferences and meetings.



*Research*

• Cataloging individually identifiable humpback whales.

• Collection of distributional data of marine mammals in, and around, the
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

• Researching and submitting grant applications.

• Preparing a report of the previous season's whale sightings with
historical analysis, risk issues and the impact of cumulative developmental
threats.

• Attendance and participation in stranding training and events.



*Conservation*

• Supporting WDCS personnel at key conservation meetings.

• Literature research for written and oral comments submitted to federal
agencies.



This type of diversity will provide interns with breadth of experience of
working for an international organization in the conservation arena. It may
also open doors to other opportunities within WDCS as it continues its
development and growth.



There is no compensation for these internship positions and each volunteer
is responsible for providing their own food as well as $500 per month
housing fee. Interns share a house in Plymouth, each intern having their own
room. WDCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. No prior experience is
necessary, training will be provided. However, preference will be given to
individuals involved in marine mammal science courses or related
institutions and/or with prior volunteer marine mammal field experience.



*Candidate Requirements*

• Fluency in English.

• Must be 18 years or older, preference given to students matriculated in
appropriate graduate or under graduate degree programs.

• Must be able to show proof of valid health insurance.

• Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require
physical labor.

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a close-knit team. Open to work
long days (sometimes 12 hours or more) in the field or lab.

• Good computer skills – familiarity with operating PC's and MAC's.

• Good verbal and written communications skills.

• Familiar with literature research protocols, and research methods and
design

• Ability to work well under pressure.





*How to Apply*

• Email a covering letter, the completed *Volunteer application
form*<http://www.wdcs-na.org/submissions_bin/wdcsinternapplication.doc>,
two letters of reference, along with a resume of no more than 3 pages along
with a supporting document of no more than 500 words on one of the following
subjects –

• Do whales die through human's knowledge or ignorance?

• Preservation or conservation. Which offers the best route to a sustainable
population of an endangered species and why?

• How do you convert apathy into interest and then into action?



Please submit your application *by email only* to
*sue.rocca at wdcs.org*<sue.rocca at wdcs.org>making sure you clearly
indicate your availability.

--
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.whoi.edu/pipermail/semco/attachments/20090113/bd95ba6f/attachment.htm