miércoles, 2 de octubre de 2013

EPI - Galapagos Field Instructor

Ecology Project International (EPI), a nonprofit organization, is hiring instructors to teach outdoor environmental/conservation education to high school and university students in the Galápagos Islands. Our mission is to improve and inspire science education and conservation worldwide through field based student-scientist partnerships. Our programs are experiential; involving inquiry-based field science curricula and hands on participation in real conservation/research projects. We promote a deeper understanding of natural systems and the importance of research and conservation for the long term sustainability of life on planet Earth.

Our Galápagos program, which has an emphasis on The Giant Tortoise and the ecology, biodiversity and conservation of the Galápagos archipelago ecosystem, we work with local Galapagueños and foreign students between 15-19 years old and courses are 5 to 12 days in length. Partnering with the Galápagos National Park (GNP) students visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to conduct giant tortoise research, collecting important data needed to estimate population numbers and trends. While in the highlands, students also conduct seed dispersal analysis looking for seeds in the tortoise’s dung and help the native ecosystem by controlling invasive plants species in a fragile area of the island. Another portion of the program takes place in the town of Puerto Ayora where our students visit the Charles Darwin Station and have the opportunity to collect data from juvenile giant tortoises from many islands. International visiting groups also participate in a number of island exploration tours to learn about the islands biodiversity, geology and ecology and participate in a cultural exchange component led by EPI’s ecology club, Mola Mola. Most of the research activities are develop with the support of the GNP rangers and CDS scientists.

For more detailed information on our courses and organization, please visit our website www.ecologyproject.org and for more specific information on the Galápagos program email juan@ecologyproject.org

Responsibilities:
• Provide and lead a positive experience for EPI participants in the field.
• Promote and ensure a safe learning/living environment.
• Plan, lead, and instruct quality experiential science/conservation education programs to a diverse. group of high school students in both English and Spanish.
• Be sensitive to the health and welfare of all participants and meet their developmental needs.
• Understand, model, monitor and enforce EPI policies and protocols.
• Participate in all EPI staff development sessions throughout the season, including staff training, staff meetings,
staff retreats, and complete feedback and evaluation forms.
• Oversee and/or lead research activities with accordance to local research protocols.
• Establish and maintain clear communication with teachers, chaperones, participants, partners, co- instructor(s), and EPI staff.
• Effectively manage logistical challenges during emergencies on course.
• Promptly complete and file paperwork associated with each course.
• Mentor the Mola Mola Ecology Club members in developing their skills.
• Help photo-document the experience of EPI participants.
• Write a local student experience for the Galápagos newsletter/student yearbook at the end of the season.
• Show and maintain a positive attitude.


Qualifications:
Required:
• Desire to promote leaders in conservation through our program;
• More than one year teaching environmental/conservation education;
• More than one year leading outdoor experiences for young adults;
• Experience leading trips in remote areas;
• Spanish and English fluency;
• Physically and mentally fit enough to lead courses up to 12 days/24 hours a day with a co-instructor;
• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, biology, ecology, natural sciences or related field;
• Field research experience;
• Current Wilderness First Responder & CPR certifications; individuals not certified at time of applying must be willing to complete this certification before staff training;
• Available to work from the beginning of March through the end of July.
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in environmental education;
• Experience in inquiry-based science learning programs;
• Experience living or studying in Latin American;
• Knowledge and familiarity with Ecuador, especially the Galápagos Islands;
• Research experience with Tortoises or reptiles
• Snorkeling experience

Compensation: Lodging in a rented house in Puerto Ayora during field season, room and board while on course, work related in-country travel, and $65-103/day depending on past experience. All newly hired instructors will be given the opportunity to submit documentation demonstrating past relevant experience.

Dates: The program season is from mid-March through the end July 2014. Selected Instructors will participate in a 10-12 day required unpaid training (room/board provided) to be held at the beginning of March in Galápagos. They will also be required to participate in staff retreats and a closing event at the end of the season.

To apply click here: https://ecologyproject.submittable.com/submit and follow the directions to complete the on-line application process. All applicants must apply on-line.


Contact Information:
lisa@ecologyproject.org, but all applications must be submitted online

Marine Mammal Observer/Protected Species Observer Training Course

Exploration Support Services Inc. is offering a Gulf of Mexico, Protected Species Observer/Marine Mammal Observer (PSO/MMO) training course. PSOs/MMOs are environmental professionals who work on-board seismic vessels and other platforms monitoring for marine mammals and sea turtles providing advice to ensure that operations comply with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) guidelines to minimize the risk of injury or disturbance to marine fauna. In the US Gulf of Mexico, BOEM/ BSEE requires that all visual observers complete an accepted training course. Our PSO/MMO training course is designed by a BOEM/ BSEE accepted instructor with substantial experience in the seismic industry. The 1-day course is intended to fulfill the required training for anyone interested in becoming a PSO/MMO in the Gulf of Mexico and upon successful completion of the course the participant will be qualified to assume the role of MMO/PSO on industry vessels The next available course-dates will be Nov 16 and 17. The class will be held in Houston, TX. The cost of the class is $230 per person and a class size of at least 10 students is required for each session. If there are less than 10 registrants, deposits will be refunded and the class will be rescheduled. A $50 deposit is required at registration to reserve your spot and full payment is required by November 1 2013. For more information and to register please contact Juan Gracia at: juan.gracia@essmarine.com

Tecnicos en Las Bahamas.

Field technicians (2) needed for a study of Prairie Warblers and other birds on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas.
One technician is needed (dates tentative) between Dec. 28th 2013 – Feb. 24th 2014. Another technician is needed (dates tentative) between Jan. 24th – March 23rd 2014. Primary activities will be constant effort and target mist netting, banding passerine birds (including some blood sampling), and re-sighting color banded birds. We most likely will catch around 35-40 migratory and resident species. Other work includes cutting net lanes and trails, setting up and taking down nets, vegetation and insect surveys, insect sorting, and data entry. Work will be done in thorny, dense vegetation, usually in hot, very sunny conditions. We will be staying at the Gerace Research Centre, (http://www.geraceresearchcentre.com/), in the company of other research and student groups, with a beautiful pristine beach as the backyard. All room and board fees at the Gerace Research Centre will be paid for, however airfare to San Salvador is the responsibility of the technician. Although we have funding for room and board for 2 field technicians, we would also welcome more volunteers (such as those with less previous experience) who would be willing to pay their own way. Volunteers will get hands-on experience, such as extracting songbirds from nets and banding many species of migratory birds. These volunteers would have to pay their own way, including airfare to San Salvador, and room and board fees at the Gerace Research Station ($45/day). You can volunteer anytime from December 28 – March 26, although to qualify for the $45/day rate, you must stay for 30 days within this time frame (otherwise it’s $65/day). For these fully volunteer positions, please contact me only if you are seriously considering paying your own way, which for example, a 30-day stay amounts to $1350 plus airfare. To Apply:
Please send a short cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information (name, phone number, and email address) for 3 references to Mike Akresh (EM: mike.akresh AT gmail.com). Qualifications:
Ideal applicants will be very good at re-sighting color-banded songbirds and have previous banding experience. Applicants must have a strong work ethic, be able to work well with others, follow directions well, and be in very good physical condition. One study plot requires a 3 km walk, while carrying netting gear and poles. Work schedule will be 6 days a week. Applicants should be prepared for long days in the field (8-11 hrs/day).

Personal en Oceanus A.C.