Submitted: 2009-12-05 14:55:01
Contact: Emma Harrison emma@cccturtle.org
WWW Link: http://www.cccturtle.org
Period
1 March - 4 June, 2010
Location
Caribbean Conservation Corporation Field Station
Tortuguero
Costa Rica
Background Information
In 1995, the CCC began the Leatherback Program to study the area's little known leatherbacks. Each year from March - June the CCC research team collects information about this critically endangered species. CCC works closely with Costa Rican authorities, the Tortuguero community and other leatherback nesting beach monitoring groups. Information collected during the annual Leatherback Program plays a key role in developing effective management strategies for sea turtles in the area.
Duties
Eight research assistants (RAs) will be trained in sea turtle monitoring techniques by, and work under the supervision of, the CCC Field Coordinators. The RA team will be made up of individuals from several countries from around the world, with an emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. The RAs main responsibilities include nightly tagging, track surveys, nest monitoring and excavation. RAs are responsible for tagging nesting turtles, collecting biometric data from females, recording nesting activity during track surveys, and other pertinent data collection.
Leatherback monitoring is carried out along 36 km (=22 miles) of nesting beach. Work activities include long hours of walking in extremely soft sand and excellent physical condition is a requirement for the RA positions. RAs should expect to work at all hours of the day and night, often with little sleep and in difficult environmental conditions. During the Leatherback Program RAs work in very isolated locations, and stay at the park ranger station for several days at a time, away from the research station in Tortuguero.
In addition to monitoring work, RAs are also responsible for training short-term paying volunteers and leading volunteer groups during beach patrols. They will also be required to develop and participate in various educational and awareness activities in the community of Tortuguero, and to assist in the CCC Visitor Center to provide information about the work of CCC to members of the public.
Requirements
Excellent physical condition, good knowledge of English and Spanish, education in biology or related fields, previous fieldwork experience in the tropics, experience working/living in multicultural environments, experience working/living in isolated locations for extended periods, previous experience in environmental education and availability for the entire period of the program greatly improve your chances of being selected for a position.
Applications for RA positions must include the following materials:
1. Application Form for the program for which you are applying, (Leatherback or Green Turtle). These forms can be downloaded from the CCC website:
In English: http://www.cccturtle.org/ccc-costarica.php?page=ra-information
En Español: http://www.cccturtle.org/ccc-costarica.php?page=ra-info_esp
2. A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the Research Assistant position, details of any relevant experiences and a statement of your level of proficiency in English and Spanish (either a formal qualification or an indication of your written/oral comprehension);
3. A CV or resume with pertinent information, and
4. The names and e-mail contact details of three professional references.
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 4 JANUARY, 2010
Benefits/Costs
Research Assistant (RA) positions are voluntary and selected RAs are expected to plan and finance their own travel to and from Tortuguero. Selected RAs will receive board and lodging at the CCC Field Station for the duration of their time working for CCC in Tortuguero.
Additional Contact Information
Application materials should be sent to Dr Emma Harrison.
By mail:
Research Assistant Program
Caribbean Conservation Corporation
Apartado Postal 246-2050
San Pedro, COSTA RICA
By fax: (++506) 2297-6576
By e-mail (Preferred): emma@cccturtle.org
Please contact Dr Emma Harrison for any additional information.