Job Postings

Cetus Research & Conservation Society is a non-profit organization.
The Society's mission is to facilitate the conservation of the marine environment by promoting community stewardship, conducting research and fostering activities that directly preserve marine habitats and biological diversity. Cetus operates three marine mammal education and monitoring programs: Straitwatch (North), Straitwatch (South) and the Robson Bight Warden Program.

Cetus is frequently recruiting personnel for Straitwatch and the Robson Bight Warden Program. These programs focus on marine mammal conservation by providing education about local marine mammals and the marine mammal viewing guidelines. Monitoring boater activity around marine animals and the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve (RBMBER) is a major component of both programs. These programs are operated in the waters off Vancouver Island, BC. For the Robson Bight Warden Program and Straitwatch (North) the closest community is Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, which is where Straitwatch (North) is based.

The Robson Bight Warden Program operates from a remote field camp on West Cracroft Island. Straitwatch (South) is based out of Victoria, BC.

Cetus is seeking to fill the following positions:

Robson Bight Marine Warden.

Straitwatch Marine Educator

Closing Date: April 4th, 2008

Job Description:

Robson Bight Marine Warden - Based in field camp at West Cracroft Island - 14 nm east of Alert Bay in Johnstone Strait.

Responsibilities include:

Educating boaters and park visitors on local marine mammals, the marine mammal viewing guidelines, and the boundaries of the RBMBER.
Collecting data on marine mammals and vessel activity, and attention to detail in regards to data collection and data entry is essential.
Public presentations: either as informal individual interpretations or scheduled formal community presentations.
Supervising volunteers and involving them within the daily responsibilities of the programs while ensuring a safe, productive and memorable work environment.

Knowledge, skill and ability required:

Effective communications skills
The ability to safely operate 16' rigid hull inflatable vessels in coastal waters, including rough waters with limited visibility
Knowledge of boat maintenance and repair (preferred)
The ability to work for 8-11 hour shifts in all weather conditions
The ability to live and work comfortably in a coastal wilderness environment
Demonstrated background knowledge of the marine mammal species in the area
The ability to carry 20lbs of gear to and from vessel to base camps (this varies from across the street to down a rocky shoreline). In addition to this the Robson Bight Marine Warden will spend alternating days observing from a land. Therefore, this position also has to have the ability to hike between the base camp and the observation site (5km each way); while there is minimal gear to be carried, the hike takes approximately 1 hour (depending on fitness)

Additional requirements:

A current BC drivers licence
A current first aid and CPR ticket
A Marine Radio Operators license
A Marine Emergency Duties A3 certificate
A Small Commercial Vessel Operators Proficiency Certificate

Job Description:

Straitwatch Outreach Educator - Based in Alert Bay, BC