Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program: Scientific Interns
Western Australia
Gnaraloo is a wilderness tourism business and working pastoral station on the Ningaloo Coast in North Western Australia, next to the Ningaloo Marine Park and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. It abuts 60km of coastline, including southern parts of the Ningaloo Reef and four Marine Sanctuary Zones. The Indian Ocean borders Gnaraloo to the west.
GNARALOO TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM (GTCP)
The Gnaraloo Station Trust commenced the scientific Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program (GTCP) on-ground in 2008 to identify, monitor and protect key coastal nesting rookeries of endangered sea turtles on Gnaraloo beaches, namely loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. The Gnaraloo Bay Rookery is the largest confirmed mainland nesting rookery for loggerhead sea turtles in Western Australia, with consecutive full season surveys since 2008/09. Together with the Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar Rookery, it supports and contributes to the third largest loggerhead turtle population in the world. The GTCP collects baseline data on sea turtle nesting activities along the Gnaraloo coastline to identify trends and required management activity to protect endangered marine species and critical coastal nesting habitat; engages the community and schools in conservation activity; trains young scientists for professional careers; builds capacity and knowledge shares its findings.
GTCP SCIENTIFIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The GTCP will appoint interns from Australia and overseas to be part of the program from 20 October 2014 to 30 April 2015. The interns work, under direction, as part of the scientific GTCP field team to undertake required daily surveys of nesting turtle and feral predation activities in monitored rookeries, community and school participation with the program and scientific and other office work.
The program interprets and works mainly with turtle and feral animal tracks. Survey work includes daily turtle track monitoring with day and night patrols, turtle species identification, turtle nesting activity determination, data collection on turtle nest locations through use of GPS equipment, and turtle nest disturbance and predation by feral species and environmental factors. Feral animal tracks are also monitored daily to report on the presence of threats in monitored rookeries for adaptive management activity. Office work involves daily data entry, management and analysis; data QA/QC; preparation of the annual scientific report with GIS maps and other wide program responsibilities, including program promotion through web postings, media articles and hosting VIPs. The GTCP field team also hosts and interacts with community and school groups during onsite educational field excursions and through presentations at primary and high schools and community groups in various regional towns in Western Australia and the Perth metropolitan area. All work by the GTCP field team is co-ordinated and managed by the site based GTCP Program Assistant and offsite GTCP Project Manager, an experienced environmental scientist, who also manages Gnaraloo’s Environmental Office.
The interns work at Gnaraloo (20 October 2014 – 15 March 2015) and in regional and metropolitan locations in Western Australia (16 March – 30 April 2015).
See Facebook & www.gnaraloo.com.au for an overview, field diaries, photos, videos and reports of previous years.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXPERIENCE
Work with turtles on spectacular beaches
Contribute to biodiversity conservation in a world heritage area
Undertake field research of national and international significance
Gain valuable project experience and training
Network with professionals in your field of interest
Snorkel in spectacular coral reef systems full of marine life
Meet people from all over the world and from different backgrounds
Experience pastoral life
Have the time of your life and learn more than you’ve ever imagined
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
This is a phenomenal opportunity for young scientists seeking commercial experience, professional development and work in the coastal zone. Candidates with a Masters degree in the scientific field will be favourably viewed, particularly those with some post degree commercial or project experience. Previous sea turtle tracking experience is desirable (particularly with loggerhead and green turtles), but not essential as training is provided in Western Australian monitoring protocols.
YOU MUST HAVE the following skills and traits (all, not only some) to suit the position: spoken and written English to a high professional standard; strong scientific, technical and analytical ability; accuracy with attention to detail; strong work ethic; ability to work independently as well as in teams; high competency and proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; maturity; patience; friendliness; a willingness to learn; strong communication and interpersonal skills; passion; enthusiasm; commitment; problem solving ability; no nonsense attitude; perseverance; reliability and practicality.
The program is for persons with previous commercial experience away from home and university settings and/or project work in remote locations. You must have already lived away from home, can stand on your own and cope in a remote location without family, friends, urban delights and distractions. You must be available for the entire season’s work, not only part thereof.
BEFORE ARRIVAL, YOU MUST HAVE a current driver’s licence, a first aid certificate, police and working with children clearance, travel insurance (if applicable) and medical insurance, all of which is valid in Western Australia.
RESPONSIBILITY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE
The program will provide interns with a monthly stipend, accommodation, meals, utilities, training in turtle tracking, feral track identification, remote survey work and 4WDriving and required travel within Western Australia for program commitments.
You will be responsible for your own travel to Carnarvon via Perth; any required entry visas into Australia and associated costs for travel to and from Australia. Travel expenses, including return airfares, may be provided upon application for outstanding candidates who may otherwise not be able to afford to participate with the program. We are currently working to have visas able to be processed under the GTCP’s proposed training and research sponsor status. Please note that successful visa applications under this category may take 3 months or longer.
APPLICATIONS
You need to submit the following in your application package:
1. A cover letter describing why you are seeking this opportunity, your tertiary qualifications, relevant commercial or project experience and other information which makes you suited to the internship.
2. A resume including two referees of your most recent commercial or project experience.
3. Copy of scientific paper(s) that you have written.
4. Reference letters from your stated referees that describe why you would be able to work positively in a small scientific team who depends on each other; live happily in a setting that is remote and isolated; have work and personal life intertwined for months on ends; survive without daily support of family and friends; interact and contribute positively to the small permanent community at Gnaraloo.
You will need to be in Carnarvon in Western Australia on 20 October 2014 to commence work with the program.
Submit your application to gtcpintern@gmail.com by 30 June 2014.
Gnaraloo Station is 1,055km north of Perth, via the town of Carnarvon, in Western Australia.
Direct any questions to:
Paul Richardson
++ 61 (0) 8 9942 5927
Contact Information:
Submit your application to gtcpintern@gmail.com by 30 June 2014.
Direct any questions to:
Paul Richardson
++ 61 (0) 8 9942 5927