North Western Hawaiian Islands
The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center through a cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaii to conduct research and recovery activities on the Hawaiian monk seal (HMS) population in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). JIMAR is currently seeking Field Camp Volunteer applicants to assist paid program staff at five remote field sites. Field teams work in groups of ~2-4 people at each site for ~4-5 months to study HMSs as part of a long-term annual population monitoring and conservation program. Activities include conducting trend counts, tagging seals, identifying individual seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks, monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries, entanglements, migration, vaccinating against morbillivirus, performing necropsies, collecting scat & spew samples for food habitat, parasite load, and hormonal analysis, collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis, and removing debris capable of entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected at some sites. Researchers at some sites may participate in shark mitigation activities.
Approximately five weeks of full-time (40 hours/week M-F) training and packing in Honolulu will be required before deployment via NOAA ships to field sites. Once deployed, all food and lodging costs are covered for the entire duration. Living conditions are rustic (e.g., living in tents, bathing in the ocean, no internet or cell phone coverage, and limited communication with the outside world via satellite phone/email). Deployment to a remote field site is a serious undertaking. Delays in scheduled pick-up and drop-off dates due to weather or ship mechanical issues may occur, as well as long response times for emergency responses, including evacuation. Volunteers also assist program staff for up to a week or more after the end of the season to unpack, clean, and inventory gear and equipment. All other qualifications being equal, preference will be given to applicants who live on Oahu so they can be incorporated into our program as soon as possible to gain useful experience before the official training begins.
Follow the link below for more information:
https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/hawaiian_monk_seal/nwhi_field_camps.php
NWHI Field Camp Volunteers gain invaluable conservation and field experience living and working in a unique Hawaiian ecosystem, as well as the following skills:
Field data collection and observational skills
Small boat operation course
Wilderness First Aid training
Remote field experience, “living off the grid”
Animal handling, tagging, and marking
Population monitoring
Marine debris monitoring and removal
Endangered species conservation
Invasive species monitoring and control
Under guidance of field camp leader, field camp assistant, and/or NMFS personnel, assists in camp preparation, collection, entry and editing of data. Maintains a safe working environment for field personnel. Collects census and life history data on Hawaiian monk in the Northwestern and main Hawaiian Islands, including photographic documentation; enters data into computer databases; collects, inventories, and removes debris capable of entangling wildlife; assists with collection of tissue samples for DNA analysis; assists with tagging and measuring weaned pups under the guidance of field camp leader/assistant; may assist with the disentanglement of seals and other recovery actions which may include mitigation and deterrence of shark predation. Shark predation mitigation/deterrence activities may involve assisting the leader/field camp assistant while translocating weaned pups from areas of high shark predation to areas of lower shark predation risk, and may also involve assisting the field camp leader during shark fishing procedures by photographing, recording data, handing equipment and supplies to the leader, and holding the line taut, all while standing at a safe distance away. Treats seal wounds including administering antibiotics and administers vaccinations to seals. Also, assists with preparation of equipment and supplies for field camps; packs equipment and supplies for shipment to Northwestern Hawaiian Islands; loads and unloads gear from transport vessel; assists with establishing field camp at remote site. At the field site, under guidance of field camp leader, field camp assistant, and/or NMFS personnel may assist with necropsies; collects and assists processing of scats and spews for food habits analysis. Participates in daily maintenance and operation of field camp. Participates in capturing, husbandry, and monitoring of seals collected for captive rehabilitation. Assists with return, repair, and clean-up of field equipment and supplies. May participate in boating operations under the direction and at the discretion of the field camp leader. May also assist with other protected species research and a marine debris accumulation study. Performs other duties as assigned.
PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent.
EXPERIENCE: Previous field or remote/wilderness experience, including working in small
groups. Previous experience collecting and working with natural history/biological data. Experience with ocean activities (e.g., diving, boating, sailing, surfing), particularly in Hawaiian waters.
ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS: Good communication and team skills. Keen observational skills. Ability to perform accurate data entry. Ability to follow directions and abide by the restrictions of living and working in a fragile (and federally protected) ecosystem. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of time in small groups. Capable of maintaining a positive and cooperative attitude in challenging environmental conditions and succeed and thrive in an isolated environment with and capable of coping with minimal contact with family/friends during the extent of deployment. Demonstrated ability to be a good team player. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to collect observational data and visually identify individual seals unaided and with the use of binoculars. PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to swim and pull self into a boat while in deep water. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of
time. Must be able to work long hours in the sun. Must be able to walk long distances (up to 7 miles) in the sand carrying 25-35 pounds of field gear. Must be able to manually restrain immature seals (up to 200 pounds). Must be able to obtain medical clearance for embarking/working on NOAA research vessels or other appropriate vessels which includes providing proof of required immunizations and/or obtaining the necessary immunizations as required by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.
SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS: Prior field or remote/wilderness experience, including experience working within small groups in remote settings. Wildlife or other animal handling experience. Prior monk seal experience in the main Hawaiian Islands or in a Hawaiian monk seal field camp. Previous experience in field or laboratory studies of marine mammals or other wildlife species, previous experience
handling marine mammals, previous data collection/entry experience. Prefer applicants interested in pursuing a career or with a strong interest in conservation of Hawaii’s natural resources or in marine mammalogy or related field. Prior experience with small boats and/or the ability to conduct routine maintenance on small boats. Possess NOAA certification for small boat operations (having completed Motorboat Operators Certification Course (MOCC), open water module (OWM) and NOAA small boat component training) to work at multiple-island atolls
INQUIRIES: Lizabeth.Kashinsky@noaa.gov
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