[Coral-List] Hawksbill Project Coordinator position with the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nicaragua

[Kaitlyn Sephton]

Hi there,

Please post the below position in the list serve.

Thanks!
Kaitlyn

*Position*: Hawksbill Project Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society,
Pearl Cays, Nicaragua



*Location*: Pearl Lagoon/Pearl Cays, Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua

*Period*: 15 May 2014 - 15 March 2015 with possibility of extension.



*Application Deadline*:  30 April 2014, or until position is filled



*Background*

The Wildlife Conservation Society Sea Turtle Conservation Program in
Nicaragua has been conducting a research and conservation project in the
Pearl Cays since 1999. The Pearl Cays are a group of 22 offshore cays where
approximately 250 hawksbill clutches are laid each year, the largest
remaining hawksbill rookery in the west-central Caribbean. Local staff
conduct daily surveys to record and relocate clutches when necessary, and
to encourage collaboration among local fishers. Nocturnal patrols are also
conducted during peak nesting months to tag and collect biometric data on
nesting females. Prior to initiation of this project almost 100% of the
clutches were poached by local fishers for their consumption. After 14
years of conservation activities, poaching has steadily decreased to less
than 20% annually. Nesting females were also frequently killed prior to
project initiation and now many are being voluntarily donated live to the
project for tag and release. Our work in the area was a major driver for
the creation of the Pearl Cays Wildlife Refuge, officially declared by the
Nicaragua government in November 2010. The project has received a great
deal of support from coastal inhabitants of the Pearl Cays area and from
local, regional, and national government authorities. See our website for
more information (
http://www.wcs.org/saving-wild-places/ocean/pearl-cayes-nicaragua.aspx).



*Responsibilities*

Supervise, coordinate, and administer activities of the project under
supervision of the WCS Nicaragua Sea Turtle Conservation Project
Director/Coordinator and in close collaboration with the local Field
Supervisor. Assist in hawksbill project start-up activities (Hiring
workshop, training in field procedures, setting up field camp, etc). Work
with local field staff to ensure correct data collection, coordinate and
supervise daily activities of local staff conducting fieldwork in the Pearl
Cays, weekly team switches and assist with nocturnal beach work during peak
nesting. Pay project staff and keep track of project expenses; maintain
databases; summarize data; write project weekly radio reports, periodic
progress reports and final report (Spanish & English), and proposals; and
assist in boat and motor maintenance. Assist in maintaining contact with
personnel from local, regional and national institutions, including
universities and government. Assist with other sea turtle program
activities (i.e. environmental education within the local schools,
environmental events in coordination with the municipality, etc), as time
permits. There is also potential for conducting future research or
employment with the WCS Nicaragua Sea Turtle Conservation Program.



*Requirements*

Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology/Conservation/Marine or related field
preferred, minimum of one year experience working with nesting sea turtles
(including tagging and collecting biometric data), good writing and
communication skills, experience with basic data analysis, must be
well-organized, flexible, and skilled at multi-tasking essential,
interested in working with local communities, and experienced in
supervising. The language spoken on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua is
English (creole) yet due to the remainder of the country speaking almost
entirely Spanish, fluency (written and spoken) in Spanish and English is
required. Prefer individual with boating skills and international
experience (if not Nicaraguan). Must be able to work under difficult and
demanding field conditions, and willing to work in excess of 40 hrs/wk,
especially during peak nesting (July-August). Experience with Microsoft
Office Programs, especially Access, Excel, and Word, required.



*Salary*: Dependent on experience. Housing provided.



Please apply on line at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers. In addition
to applying online please submit a cover letter describing previous sea
turtle &/or research experience, career plans, and why you would like to
work with the WCS Nicaragua Marine Program; and Curriculum Vitae to
vcordi at wcs.org