The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting for a Living Seas Awareness Assistant (Voluntary) for the 2016 season (14th March to 31st October) to promote and deliver our educational programme and assist with awareness raising work and events in the local community.
About CBMWC
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is based in New Quay, west Wales, UK. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through research and education. Using boat-based and land-based surveys techniques, photo-identification and acoustic studies we collect data on marine megafauna, with a focus on bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and Atlantic grey seals in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the wider Irish Sea. We operate a busy visitor centre and also run an education and activity room which offers marine educational activities for families, school and groups. In April 2015 we became part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) and will be delivering the trusts Living Seas programme.
Role description
Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to help run the educational activities of a small but very active marine conservation group, gaining experience and developing skills essential for a career in environmental education. You will also meet new people who share your interests, learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, experience Wales’ marine life and gain valuable work field experience.
The assistant will work with the Living Seas Awareness Officer to:
- Develop and promote a range of educational activities for 2016
- Deliver educational activities such as Seashore Safaris and Dolphin Detective Sessions
- Create new educational activities and materials
- Organise and promote events and fundraising activities e.g The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week
- Provide talks and activities to visiting groups
- Run the Wildlife Watch Group
- Represent CBMWC at public events e.g. The Sea2Shore Festival
- Provide engaging content for CBMWC social media and Adopt a Dolphin Scheme
Outside of school holidays the Education Assistant will also assist with all other activities including running our busy visitor centre and conducting research (land and boat based marine mammal surveys).
Essential skills and qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience of working with children and families
- Experience in delivering educational activities
- Enthusiastic, conscientious and hard working
- Proactive with ability to work unsupervised
- Responsible, flexible and mature attitude
- Interest in wildlife and conservation
- IT skills
- Ability to work andlive closely with others as part of a small team
Desirable skills:
- An interest and knowledge of British marine life would be an advantage
- A background in biology, particularly marine biology/environmental science
Volunteering Dates:
The successful applicants must be available to start on 14th March and volunteer for the entire field season until 31st October. In the past volunteers have worked up to 8 hours a day 6 days a week.
Volunteer fee
An administration fee of £45 will be required from all successful applicants.
Accommodation and expenses:
Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of £55 per week, including bills. Please be aware that volunteers share same sex bedrooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs but it is very easy to find part time work in New Quay.
Due to payment arrangements with the house owners, accommodation payments for each block (8 weeks) are required in advance.