North Western Hawaiian Islands
The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works with the NOAA Fisheries 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 population in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. 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 endangered Hawaiian monk seals 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 mandatory 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. The position is physically challenging and living conditions are rugged. Expect rustic conditions (the surrounding environment includes numerous seabird colonies and sun exposure, living in tents, no infrastructure, no running water, bathing in the ocean, no internet or cell phone coverage, and limited communication with the outside world via satellite phone/email, etc.). Some sites require extensive boating operations. 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 emergencies, 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 Oʻahu so they can be incorporated into our program as soon as possible to gain useful experience before the official training begins.
For more information about our program, go to: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaiian-monk-seal#science
NWHI Field Camp Volunteers gain valuable training in remote field experience while living and working in a biologically rich Hawaiian ecosystem, including the following skills:
• Field data collection and observational skills
• Small boat operation course (MOCC)
• 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
The dates for the 2020 field season will most likely range between March and September 2020. To be considered for a position, applicants must be available to begin mandatory 40 hours/week M-F field camp training beginning approximately early to mid-March but may begin training sooner. Field camp deployment is expected to be approximately 5 weeks after training begins and is expected to run as late as September 2020. This schedule is subject to change at any time so flexibility is required.
Training for the positions will be located at Inouye Regional Center at Ford Island. Applicants must be able to meet the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access the work location.
Please email a resume, three supervisory references, and a cover letter to lizabeth.kashinsky@noaa.gov as soon as possible with “2020 Field Camp Volunteer application” in the email subject. Positions will remain open until filled, but sooner is better. Please include the following in your cover letter:
• Statement on why you are interested in the position
• Clearly address each qualification listed in the NWHI Field Camp Volunteer position description (see below)
• Confirm availability for the training and deployment period
JIMAR Hawaiian Monk Seal NWHI Field Camp Volunteer, located at the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. DUTIES: 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 seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or on remote shorelines in the main Hawaiian Islands; enters data into computer databases; collects, inventories, and removes debris capable of entangling seals and turtles; 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 by assisting the leader/field camp assistant while translocating weaned pups from areas of high shark predation to areas of lower shark predation risk. This 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, previous experience handling marine mammals, previous data 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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