[Coral-List] Puntacana Ecological Foundation Marine Affairs and Coral Restoration Internship

[Victor Galvan]

*Please Post - -*



*Internship position in the DR.*


*Puntacana Ecological Foundation´s Marine Affairs and Coral Restoration
Internship Position. *

* Basic Functions of the Position:*

The Puntacana Ecological Foundation (PCEF) is currently accepting
applications for mid to long term internship positions to help with their
Partnerships for Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas (PESCA) programs. *The
selected candidate(s) will be assisting the project coordinator with the
upkeep of coral nurseries under the direct management of the PCEF and to
identify and establish Acropora cervicornis outplant sites utilizing
nursery reared resources.*  Additionally, candidates will get the
opportunity to identify and implement an independent research study and
collaborate with other aspects of the PESCA program including: the
management of the newly created Punta Cana Marine Protected Area and youth
education.  Candidates will be working on a variable but full-time basis
determined by the intern’s direct supervisor. The candidate is expected to
work outside normal established hours, participate in night diving and on
other unscheduled events depending on the needs of the PESCA program.



*II.  **Duties and Responsibilities**:*

   1. Working with the Project Coordinator to prepare and establish *A.
   cervicornis* outplant sites along the Punta Cana reef area and
   neighboring communities.
   2. Assist the Project Coordinator in activities related to the
   maintenance and upkeep of the coral gardens in the Dominican Republic.
   3. Participate in, lead, or implement environmental education courses,
   workshops, and/or training activities related to the PESCA program.
   4. Care for and provide basic maintenance to project equipment.
   5. Work with other volunteers or interns to achieve the goals of the
   coral restoration project.
   6. Commit to seeing the internship completed.
   7. Interact and work well with other staff and personnel.





*III.  Requirements:*

*a)  Education  *

We are looking for candidates that are highly motivated and interested in
the preservation, conservation and restoration of coastal marine resources.
A bachelor’s in one of the following areas is preferred: biology, ecology,
marine biology, environmental studies, or other similar careers.



*b)  Experience:*

The ideal candidate would have experience in the marine ecosystems of the
Dominican Republic and previous experience with Acropora corals and
restoration. Applying candidates must know how to swim and possesses a
scuba certification. Rescue diver or advance diver certification is
preferred. Applicants must have the ability to work under strenuous and
adverse conditions including working with currents, waves, poor visibility,
long dive times and continuous back to back diving days. The applicant must
be able to work efficiently, problem solve, adapt to changing situations
and work independently under minimal supervision. Interns must complete
assigned tasks on time and with quality; must be punctual and represent the
best interest of the institution. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is
required. Previous coral restoration experience is highly advantageous.



*Other Requirements:*

*Advance Spanish minimum*

SCUBA Certification

Divers Insurance

Medical Insurance



*c)  Duration:*

The length of the internship is negotiable but a minimum of 4 months is
required (preference is given to those individual requesting semester long
internships). This is a full-time internship that can be served at any of
the established nursery sites in the Dominican Republic. Any compensation
or benefits are dependent on the location of the internship and available
funding. Interns are not illegible to receive the same benefits as
full-time staff. No vacation is awarded but days off can be flexible. Start
time: tentatively around the last week of July.



d) *Compensation and Benefits:*

Punta Cana Field Site only (all other sites will be provided at a later
time)

·         On-site dorm stile lodging, which has electricity and running
water 24 hours.

·    A small stipend depending on the qualifications of the candidate, the
length of the internship, and the AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS,to help cover food
and other expenses.

·         The option of checking out a bicycle for local transport

·         Office space

·         At least 6 days off a month (No vacation is contemplated for this
internship)

A typical day in this internship could be:

1-2 dives in the morning to locate potential outplanting/restoration sites
followed by site preparation dives in the afternoon and data entry in the
late afternoon. Occasionally, both mornings and afternoons will be
dedicated to diving related activities. Dominican students/professionals
are highly encouraged to apply.The Punta Cana coral nursery is the biggest
coral nursery in the Dominican Republic. Over 1,900 colonies were being
propagated in the nursery as of may 2013 and over 2,000 fragments have been
returned to local reefs equivalent to some 790 m of tissue in 2014 alone.



Interested Candidates please send your resume with a brief letter of intent
to one of  the following emails no later than July 4, 2014:



Coral Restoration ProjectEmail: vgalvan at puntacana.com



Puntacana Ecological Foundation

Att: Coral Restoration Internships

Email: fepc at puntacana.com


  Please note that only candidates that made it to the short list will be
contacted. We estimate that candidates will be selected from this short
list no later than July 7, 2014.

-- 
Victor M. Galvan
Reef Restoration Coordinator
Punta Cana Ecological Foundation
cell: 829-336-8344


Coordinador: Restoracion de Arrecifes
Fundacion Ecologica Punta Cana