Research Assistants needed for monitoring of nesting beaches - PRETOMA, Pacific Costa Rica
Volunteer Opportunity
Submitted: 2009-09-25 22:23:49
Contact: Jeff Kutz jkutz@pretoma.org
WWW Link: http://www.pretoma.org/volunteer/field-coordinators-assistants/
Period
Now until early December 2009
Location
Playa San Miguel: Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, Pacific Costa Rica
Playa Punta Banco: southern Pacific Costa Rica, near Panama
Background Information
Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas (PRETOMA)is a Costa Rican non-profit NGO founded in 1997. We are a marine conservation and research organization working to protect ocean resources and promote sustainable fisheries policies in Costa Rica and Central America. Over the last 12 years, our program has protected thousands of sea turtle nests and has safely released hundreds of thousands of hatchlings into the Pacific Ocean. A Research Assistant position offers the experience to actively play a part in a sea turtle’s life cycle at one of our nesting beach projects.
Duties
The Research Assistant shall work alongside the Research Coordinator and local assistants to conduct nightly patrols and identify, measure, and tag adult sea turtles. Nests are relocated into hatcheries, and early morning beach walks are often performed to record any unobserved nesting activities. The hatchery is monitored in shifts around the clock, and hatchlings are immediately released upon emergence. Nest excavations are subsequently performed to calculate hatching success. RAs shall also assist the Research Coordinator with the supervision and education of volunteer program participants from around the world, whose placements support PRETOMA´s beach projects both physically and financially.
SAN MIGUEL
The Research Assistant shall work with the Research Coordinator to collect data for an additional study examining the relationship between egg and turtle size, and data shall be used subsequently to produce a report. The study will involve patrolling the beach for nesting sea turtles, taking adult carapace measurements and weight, measuring egg weight and diameter, and relocating nests into the hatchery. The project is based out of a station beach house with electricity and running water (about 50m from the beach), and all meals will be served in a Costa Rican home (M-F) and an American owned (ex music producer) Italian restaurant and bar (weekends). RAs will have time during the day to relax, read, swim, or even surf.
PUNTA BANCO
The project is based at our station house in a small coastal town surrounded by lush rainforest, and the RA should expect daily interaction with the local community and volunteers from around the world. The hatchery is monitored for emerging hatchlings in shifts throughout the day, however there will be alot of time for relaxing or reading on the beach, exploring or hiking to local waterfalls, or surfing great waves in town or nearby Pavones. Meals are taken 3 times a day at a local soda (cafe), and will require a financial contribution of US $400 per month to offset the cost of food and project supplies.
Requirements
RAs are expected to stay at the project site for the entire period for which they are selected.
Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:
• Independent, reliable and responsible.
• Motivated, positive and adaptable to unexpected situations.
• Ability to undertake physical labor during night and day in heat and rain.
• Comfortable in an isolated setting and working in a team setting.
• Previous experience working in the outdoors (especially with sea turtles).
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced student or recent graduate in biological sciences or related fields.
• Available for the duration of the position for which applying.
• Ability to speak Spanish is desirable, but not required
Benefits/Costs
Research Assistants (RAs) have their housing provided by PRETOMA at both San Miguel and Punta Banco (station beach house), however a monthly financial contribution of US $400 is collected to offset the cost of food and project supplies.
Successful applicants will be met at the airport in San José and arrangements shall be made to reach the project site.
Additional Contact Information
To apply, send an email which includes:
• Cover letter indicating:
o Time frame(s) you are applying for.
o Why you are interested in the position(s).
o Your personal strong points.
• CV/Resume
• Two professional or academic letters of recommendation
To: Jeff Kutz
Nesting Beach Projects
PRETOMA
Email: jkutz@pretoma.org AND info@pretoma.org