Hawksbill Project Coordinator
Job Opportunity
Submitted: 2009-01-20 11:22:10
Contact: Dr. Cynthia Lagueux clagueux@wcs.org
WWW Link: http://www.wcs.org/international/marine/marinelacaribbean/nicaraguaseaturtle
Period
1 May 2009 - 29 February 2010, with possibility of extending
Location
Pearl Lagoon/Pearl Cays, Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua
Background Information
The Wildlife Conservation Society Sea Turtle Conservation Program in Nicaragua has been conducting a research and conservation project in the Pearl Cays since 1999. The Pearl Cays are a group of 18 offshore cays where approximately 250 hawksbill clutches are laid each year, the largest remaining hawksbill rookery in the west-central Caribbean. Local staff conducts daily surveys to count and relocate clutches when necessary, and to encourage collaboration among local fishers. Nocturnal patrols are also conducted during peak nesting months to tag and collect biometric data on nesting females. Prior to initiation of this project almost 100% of the clutches were poached by local fishers for their consumption. After nine years of conservation activities, poaching has steadily decreased to less than 10% annually. Nesting females were also frequently killed prior to project initiation and now many are being voluntarily donated live to the project to be tagged and released. The project has received a great deal of support from coastal inhabitants of the Pearl Cays area and from local, regional, and national government authorities.
Duties
Work under supervision of WCS Nicaragua Sea Turtle Conservation project Director and in coordination with local Field Supervisor. Assist in hawksbill project start-up activities. Coordinate and supervise daily activities of local staff conducting field work in the Pearl Cays, weekly team switches and assist with nocturnal beach work during peak nesting. Pay project staff and keep track of project expenses; maintain databases; summarize data; write project weekly radio reports, periodic progress reports and proposals; and assist in boat and motor maintenance. Advise and supervise local university students in undergraduate thesis research. Assist with other sea turtle program activities, as time permits. If interested, the Coordinator may have the opportunity to conduct approved research. There is also potential for conducting future research or employment with the WCS Nicaragua Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
Requirements
Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology/Conservation/Marine or related field preferred, minimum of one year experience working with nesting sea turtles (including tagging and collecting biometric data), good writing and communication skills, experience with basic data analysis, must be well-organized and skilled at multi-tasking essential, interested in working with local communities, and experienced in supervising. Fluency (written and spoken) in Spanish and English is required. Prefer individual with boating skills and international experience (if not Nicaraguan). Must be able to work under difficult field conditions and willing to work in excess of 40 hrs/wk, especially during peak nesting. Experience with Microsoft Office Programs, especially Access, Excel, and Word, required.
Benefits/Costs
Salary: Dependent on experience.
Additional Contact Information
Send C.V. incl. brief description of previous sea turtle &/or research experience (including 3 references) and letter of inquiry to Dr. Cynthia Lagueux, clagueux@wcs.org. If attending the ISTS in Australia, please contact Dr. Lagueux prior to the symposium to set-up an interview.