Company:
Marine Education and Research Society (MERS)
Details:
Permanent / Full-Time (30 hours/week)$19.00/he plus Benefits, Based in P.O. Box 1347 Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0
Anticipated start date: November 16th, 2020
This position is in support of MERS’ efforts to mitigate threats to marine mammals in British Columbia, through research, education and wildlife response. For detail about our work, see www.mersociety.org and the summary at the end of this posting.
This is a year-round position based in Port McNeill, British Columbia. The majority of the work is office- based.
Duties include:
1. Matching Humpback Whale identification photographs to Humpback Whale catalogues to determine the identity of individual whales;
2. Data entry and database management for Humpback Whale sighting and photographic data;
3. Data collection and processing for Humpback Whale feeding strategy studies;
4. Assisting in supervising and training others (e.g. volunteers and students) in data entry, photographic data analysis and further office procedures;
5. Assisting with boat-based fieldwork and data collection;
6. Assisting with logistics for MERS Marine Mammal Naturalist courses;
7. Providing technical and content assistance with remote education (includes social media) about the marine wildlife of BC and the threats to their populations, and how these threats can be reduced;
8. Providing further logistical support e.g. for the MERS Humpback Whale sponsorship program; presentations scheduling; and for the positioning and sponsorship of “See a Blow? Go Slow!” educational signage;
9. When able to do so in accordance with COVID-19 government protocols, educating visitors at the MERS Port McNeill office and aiding in MERS' work to serve as a resource to the local community (with a focus on local ecotourism and boat operators) in order to: enhance the value of wildlife viewing experiences; contribute to boater safety; and reduce threats to marine life;
10. Conducting retail related duties for sustainable products sold in the Port McNeill office and on the MERS online store as a means of fund-raising for our research and education efforts; and
11. Other office and fieldwork as needed.
See the attachment for further details about our organization.
Qualifications & Experience:
Successful candidates:
Are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or have refugee protection under the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (funding requirement).
Are under the age of 30 (funding requirement).
• Are currently unemployed or under-employed (funding requirement).
• Have graduated from a 2-year diploma or 4-year degree from a post-secondary education in
a STEM field, with preference to degrees in biology, environmental science, resource
management or a related field (funding requirement).
Have knowledge of the biology and ecology of marine mammals in British Columbia.
Have strong computer skills.
• Have skill at identifying individual Humpback Whales. A matching test will be part of the final selection procedure for this position.
• Work well independently and with minimal supervision.
• Have experience with data entry.
• Have exceptional organizational skills.
• Have successful experience with public outreach and science communication.
• Have dedication to reducing impacts to the environment.
• Must reside in, or relocate to, around Port McNeill (Northern Vancouver Island).
• Have the physical abilities to do both (1) office-based work which involves working at a
computer for extended periods of time; and (2) boat-based work which involves lifting heavy items, and being at sea in various weather conditions.
How to apply:
Application format:
• Applications must include a cover letter specifically addressing position requirements, resume, and 3 references (name, position and email address) preferably with 2 being employment contacts. References would be contacted in the final stage of interviewing.
• Applications are to be emailed to Nicole Doe, Director of Operations:
nicole@mersociety.org.
Selection procedure:
1. Short-listed applicants to complete a written interview.
2. Further short-listed applicants will be interviewed via Zoom.
3. References of final short-listed applicants will be contacted and these applicants will complete an exercise to assess their ability to match Humpback Whale IDs.
Hiring priorities:
The Marine Education and Research Society is committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and all aspects of our work. We welcome applications from individuals who self- identify as members of underrepresented and underserved groups.