MARINE SPECIES AT RISK INTERN
Position Code: MSAR101
Location: Based in Blanc-Sablon, Quebec; Work carried out on Quebec’s Lower North Shore, Labrador and parts of Newfoundland
7 June – 27 August 2010
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF), through a grant from the Federal Habitat Stewardship Plan for Species at Risk (SAR), is working with communities in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence to aid in the recovery of twelve species at risk including cetaceans, sea turtles, sharks, wolffish, the ivory gull and polar bear. Through a volunteer observer program, fishers (and others) document SAR sightings information, report stranded and entangled marine animals and work to decrease the impact of accidental catch in fishing gear. The project also includes a public education and awareness campaign, the collection of traditional knowledge about species at risk, analysis of observer data, promoting the program to residents and visitors, working with tourism operators on sustainable marine activities, project reporting and dissemination of results.
The student will:
- Prepare educational materials to encourage stewardship of marine species at risk and local marine resources
- Profile project and disseminate information through the media, school presentations and communicating with the general public
- Provide technical support to fisher and marine vessel operators involved in the Marine Species at Risk observer program (some travel will be involved)
- Collect local ecological knowledge on species at risk from residents in coastal communities
- Organize and prepare activities for a youth marine conservation camp
- Respond to reports of entangled, stranded and beached marine animals and assist with release and conduct necropsies
- Work with local tourism operators to develop sustainable marine activities
- Maintain a new website that provides real time video and audio of seabirds and whales and educational information on species at risk and marine conservation
- Enter data, update user-friendly GIS and map results
- Prepare articles for newsletters and websites and complete final reports
The intern will work both independently and in collaboration with QLF staff and members of the community.
This is an excellent opportunity for a student with a strong background in biology, environmental science, or related field wishing to experience first hand the opportunities for communities to engage in conservation initiatives. It will provide training in the ‘human’ element of conservation work, will offer an opportunity to explore the complexity of conservation, and will prepare the student for future work in the field of community-based conservation
HOURS: Interns may generally work Monday-Friday, from 9-5, but should expect variations on this schedule due to travel and occasional evening or weekend events. Despite this schedule, work will be roughly the equivalent of full-time hours.
QUALIFICATIONS: Important to the position is an interest and the ability to work with people, the ability to work independently in remote outdoor environments, knowledge of animals inhabiting the northern Gulf region, an educational background in science or a related field of study, experience working with youth, excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to use a computer and Microsoft software and a valid driver’s license.
Due to funding criteria from Services Canada , you are eligible to apply if you:
- are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment
- meet the eligibility criteria of the program for which you have been approved
- are registered in the YCW on-line candidate inventory
- are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment
- do not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with YCW
- have been a full-time student (as defined by your educational institutions) in the semester preceding the YCW job
- intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job
- have a working knowledge of both English and French
- are willing to work in another region of Canada
- or are from outside the region of the Lower North Shore, however residents/students originally from the rural communities of the Lower North Shore of Quebec studying outside the region are eligible to apply.
Priority is given to candidates who have not previously participated in a summer work experience program. For students who travel more than 125 km from their residence to their summer job, a housing allowance and one round trip between the student's residence and the job location will be offered. QLF is an equal-opportunity employer.
WAGES: $10 / hr for 12 weeks from June 7 – August 27th, 2010; return travel to the work site; and $1.35 / hr for food and lodging. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so it is in your interest to apply early. .
TO APPLY: Please go to the “how to apply (english) (français)” section of our website and complete our online application form. Please be sure to upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter as part of this process. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in your interest to apply early. Please note, only candidates who meet the Young Canada Works eligibility requirements will be considered for the position. Please review these requirements before applying.