Closing date: Monday, 13th February 2023
Start date: 27th March 2023
Placement Length: 6 months
Where: Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Hours: 26 hours per week
As a volunteer at the Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory you will play a vital role in the conservation and engagement activities of HWDT. You will benefit from personalised training, and will develop your skills in public engagement, science communication and fieldwork. Through this placement you will gain wildlife guiding experience, build your skills in event organisation, planning and delivery, and carry out data collection for HWDT’s biological monitoring programmes, Whale Track and our acclaimed Marine Mammal Monitoring programme on board Silurian.
You will be supporting the delivery of the public engagement programme, working with members of the HWDT team to deliver meaningful engagement and inspirational activities to connect people with the spectacular marine heritage of the west coast of Scotland. You will inspire and inform visitors and the local community, champion participation in citizen science, and carry out fieldwork to monitor marine life.
You will join one of our Research Expedition surveys on board our research vessel Silurian as fourth crew to assist the Science Officer. Sailing the west coast of Scotland, you will monitor marine mammals and the health of our seas, while ensuring the expedition runs smoothly and the participants have a positive and memorable experience.
Living and working on the Isle of Mull, as part of HWDT’s small and friendly team, makes this is a fantastic opportunity for a once in a lifetime experience, while playing an active in marine conservation.
Role description:
Your main area of work will be in and around the Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory based on a 26 hour working week.
- Provide expert wildlife guiding and informal interpretation to visitors about Hebridean marine wildlife, environment and heritage – both in our visitor centre and out at local sites on the Hebridean Whale Trail[AL3] , through our activity programme of guided walks, headland watches, workshops, talks and games.
- Carry out dedicated land-based cetacean surveys using Whale Track and encourage visitors to participate in whale watching and biological recording activities.
- Run activities to encourage stewardship of our seas including beach cleans and kid’s clubs. [AL4]
- Positively represent HWDT in person and through digital media, written articles and social media.
- Provide excellent customer service and a warm welcome in the Hebridean Whale Centre
- Participation in a marine mammal research expedition survey on board Silurian.
