Seasonal Ramsar Ecologist Internship Alderney 2024

The Alderney Ramsar site internship is one of the most sought-after such positions available in the Channel Islands. Previous incumbants of this position have gone on to take leading roles in marine and seabird conservation across the UK and further afield. The Ramsar Ecologist is responsible for helping to deliver the Alderney Wildlife Trust’s (AWT) annual survey and reporting programme for Alderney’s internationally important wetland.

The Role

This is a focused work placement designed to help those with previous academic, and or practical, experience to build up the skills necessary to secure a paid professional position in the future. The role also places you within a tightly knit team of staff and volunteers with the opportunity to learn and develop skills.

This internship is for March to October 2024 with potential for early start and or extension by agreement.

Duties:

• Working as part of the AWT’s Living Seas Team, providing data to its Ecological Evidence base in support of the Alderney State of Nature (ASoN) project.
• Supporting the AWT’s commitment to Alderney’s Ramsar site, including helping to deliver the established action plans and reporting outcomes.
• Undertaking ecological survey work including productivity and population counts for seabirds, a variety of marine habitat and species surveys, including boat based operations, and assisting in terrestrial surveys. These often include the coordination of volunteers.
• Working with the AWT’s outreach team to help raise environmental awareness through publications, TV and radio interviews, crewing for the AWT’s boat, supporting and leading events and acting as ambassador for the site and the AWT.
• Helping to setup and monitor Alderney’s remote seabird monitoring webcams (Puffins and Gannets).
• Supporting the AWT team in delivering public events and activities under the ‘Discover Alderney’ programme.
• Assisting in other aspects of the operation of the AWT as required.

Essential Requirements

• A self-motivated and focused person wanting to benefit from their time in this role.
• A background in Ecology/ Biology/ Marine Biology, minimum BSc or equivalent, or two years relevant work experience.
• Strong interest in seabird ecology and/or marine ecology.
• Field work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent data management and reporting skills.
• Flexibility, positivity, excellent organisational skills.

Desirable Qualities

• Boat experience ideally including a RYA-qualifications for competent crew/powerboat 2/yacht master or equivalent.
• Seabird monitoring experience.
• Marine flora and fauna identification skills.
• Marine field work and video analysis experience.
• Experience in public speaking.
• Climbing experience.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Placement Structure

• The role is 35hrs/p.w.; however, the hours are flexible and additional paid work both within the Wildlife Trust and in other work on island can be accommodated alongside the role.
• In-house training and necessary external training will be provided.
• Accommodation provided at the AWT’s Essex Farm Field Centre (inclusive of utilities, a private room, wi-fi access, shared kitchen, sitting-room and office facilities).
• Provision of a stipend to cover basic cost of living expenses (level of stipend by agreement).
• One-month probation period.
• One return flight, UK- Alderney-UK.
• March to October with potential for early start and or extension by agreement

Applying

Please provide a CV (inclusive of references) and send it to admin@alderneywildlife.org. together with a covering letter explaining what makes you the right candidate to take on this role. We are seeking candidates who are looking to help the youngest Wildlife Trust transition into one of the most effective small island nature conservation charities in the British Isles and would like to hear how you can help us achieve this.