[SEMCO] Whale and Dolphin Conservation, North America - Field Research Internships

Tue Jan 15 13:20:45 EST 2019

WDC North America (NA), located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, offers internships and field volunteer positions providing research, policy, education, and advocacy experience in working for an international non-profit organization. Internships are offered to qualified applicants throughout the year, allowing each participant to become proficient at field data collection, educational outreach, and conservation issues of marine mammals. As additional time allows, interns may also assist staff in completing various tasks pertaining to our focal projects.

We are currently seeking applicants for our 2019 season. For candidacy requirements and application instructions, visit https://us.whales.org/wdc-na-field-research-internship-program. Applications for the spring (beginning late March/early April) should be submitted by 23:59PM EDT on February 4, 2019. Applications for the summer (beginning in May) should be submitted by 23:59PM EDT on March 3, 2019.

Background to the program

The WDC internship/volunteer program aims to help participants hone their outreach and data collection and organization skills, while also gaining an introduction to all aspects of working with a conservation non-profit organization. Successful candidates are included in everything from field research to office administration. All interns gain experience with public speaking by interacting with passengers aboard whale watching vessels and participating in school talks and other public outreach events throughout the year. Additionally, interns will assist with written communication efforts including social media, blogs, and supporter directed communications. Other potential opportunities include attending workshops/conferences and responding to stranded marine mammals, though these are not guaranteed opportunities. This program exposes interns to real world experiences that will help them develop the skills and understanding needed to succeed in the field of marine mammal conservation and research. Participants will gain an in-depth perspective of this field and a better understanding of where their interests lie. Through this internship, a number of skills are developed including analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

As part of the field work experience, interns will learn species identification, behavioral sequencing, data collection, and photo identification research techniques on marine mammals in the southern Gulf of Maine.  They will also have the opportunity to go out on commercial whale watching boats several times per week (field season is April - October) to photograph and record sightings of humpback, finback, and minke whales, as well as other notable marine wildlife. The frequency of fieldwork is weather dependent. Days in the office will be spent uploading photos and data into our photo identification database or working on any tasks that may be assigned.

Based on time of year, the intern program may include some portion of the following:

Education and Outreach

  *   Outreach to local schools and the general public
  *   Assisting with and learning about the importance of ecotourism and best practices
  *   Writing blogs about work conducted or current events while interning with WDC
  *   Attendance at conferences and meetings

Research

  *   Cataloging individually identifiable humpback and finback whales
  *   Collecting opportunistic marine mammal sightings data in the Southern Gulf of Maine
  *   Collecting images for analysis of body condition of marine mammals through scarring and skin condition
  *   Data coding and cleaning
  *   Attending stranding training and events

Conservation

  *   Literature research for preparation of comments submitted to federal agencies
  *   GIS or other mapping techniques

At the end of the program, our hope is that interns will be able to leave with a comprehensive understanding of both the exciting and routine aspects of what it takes to research and conserve marine mammals.

There is no fee or compensation for the internship/volunteer positions. Participants must arrange for their own transportation to and from Plymouth and provide their own food. Limited housing with a shared bedroom is available on site for a monthly fee of $300 USD, which is strictly to offset the cost of housing. Assistance can be provided in finding alternate housing at the request of the applicant, and those who can provide their own housing are encouraged to apply.

The program requires a minimum commitment of 12 weeks, with the possibility of extending the term on a case-by-case basis. The internship is a full time position requiring open and flexible availability. WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program through their college or university. While international applicants interested in the internship program must be able to secure their own travel Visa and other required documentation, WDC can provide supporting documentation as needed upon program acceptance.

For candidacy requirements and application instructions, visit https://us.whales.org/wdc-na-field-research-internship-program

WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, is the leading international charity dedicated solely to the worldwide conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. WDC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. Please review our Privacy Notice<https://us.whales.org/privacy-notice-us-applicants> for information on how we collect and store your secure information.

Monica Pepe
Policy Manager
Conservation and Education

Telephone: +1 508 746 2522
Skype monica.c.pepe

WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
7 Nelson Street
Plymouth
MA
02360-4044
United States
whales.org<http://whales.org>

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WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360-4044  Tel: +1 (508) 746-2522
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