2 X Guide and Conservation Volunteers - Residential

2 x Guide and Conservation Volunteers - Residential WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay

Get the experience and get ahead in conservation with a volunteer programme that works!

Are you passionate about the environment and inspiring others to care? Or keen to get the experience needed to work in conservation and a research programme?

At Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC – previously WDCS) our vision is for a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. We are looking for two dedicated residential guide and conservation volunteers to join our team at the Scottish Dolphin Centre, in Northern Scotland, to help deliver WDC’s objectives.

The Visitor Centre and volunteer accommodation are based in a beautiful location adjacent to a reserve at the mouth of the River Spey. The largest bottlenose dolphins in the world can be seen feeding regularly along with ospreys, seals, the occasional otter and a huge variety of other wildlife.

Your time will be divided between engaging with/guiding visitors at the Scottish Dolphin Centre and working closely with the Scottish conservation officer delivering the Shorewatch Programme, a volunteer community whale, dolphin and porpoise monitoring project.

The role will give you essential experience in:

 Delivering environmental interpretation - inspiring people to take an interest and care for the environment through land-based dolphin watching, presentations, talks and walks.  Visitor engagement - raising the profile of WDC to visitors and informing them on local wildlife.  Guiding visitors (Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve and historic building) and customer service (in the Centre shop)  Supporting the implementation of a conservation and research programme through:

Events organisation - Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers), manning the stand at events to increase awareness of WDC in Scotland. Community outreach – Assisting in the organisation of training courses and site visits. Developing resources – Activities and training materials

 Research (In the form of 10 minute land-based dolphin watches)  Assisting the Ranger on the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve – Invasive species management and evening walk.

We also provide:

 Free onsite accommodation in an area of outstanding natural beauty  £30 weekly food budget per person (volunteers find this more than enough to cover their needs)  Training and support  Mileage expenses

Check us out online: www.facebook.com/scottishdolphincentre www.twitter.com/dolphinsighting Volunteers play a vital role in the work we do at the WDC, you will be expected to cover all areas of work and in return you will receive experience in many different aspects of conservation work.

The majority of this role involves community outreach, interpretation and engaging with visitors, if you are looking for field experience this is not the opportunity for you.

Opportunities run: - Mon February 25th – Thurs 31st October 2013. - Volunteering 5 days a week, including weekends. - Must be committed for 8 months in order to gain the full range of experience and to make a worthwhile contribution to our work.

To apply: (Please note that we are unable to accept CVs as an application)

Application packs and further details about the Centre can be found at www.whales.org/scottishdolphincentre volunteers section.

Details of the Shorewatch programme can be found at www.whales.org/shorewatch.

Please return applications to: [email protected]

Contact Rob Ward for more details: 01343 820339

Closing date: 5pm 7th January 2013

Interviews: will be held by preferably via Skype or alternatively by telephone w/c 14 January 2013 Volunteer Role Description

2 x Guide and Conservation Volunteers - Residential WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay

This post requires an excellent command of the English language (both written and spoken) and the ability to work individually and as part of a team.

Aim:  Deliver a fun and high quality visitor experience through interpretation and events at the Scottish Dolphin Centre to help raise awareness of the work of Whale and Dolphin Conservation  To support the Conservation Officer in promoting and developing the Shorewatch whale, dolphin and porpoise monitoring programme.

Volunteer Role Includes:

 Providing interpretation/guiding/land based dolphin watching for visitors at the Scottish Dolphin Centre, including daily guided walks and tours of the historic building, and customer service in the shop (Approx 3 of 5 days per week)  Assist in the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre Shop including, welcoming visitors, customer service, and stocking shelves.  Assisting the Conservation Officer with the development of the WDC Shorewatch Programme (Approx 2 of 5 days per week)  Carrying out shore-based dolphin, whale and porpoise observations from various locations around Scotland, visiting partner organisations and cultivating relationships at these sites  Supporting recruitment and training of Shorewatch volunteers  Managing data collection and input from shore-based sites.  Support the organisation and delivery of community events to promote WDC in Scotland.  Assisting with the administration of the WDC Shorewatch programme  Developing interpretative resources and activities to use in the Centre exhibition, at off-site events, and when training Shorewatch volunteers.  Help SWT ranger with invasive species management on reserve and evening walk.  Possibility of assisting the Education Officer with schools visits  Carrying out maintenance work around the centre, including gardening and painting, as well as other duties as and when required.  To assist with other WDC work as needed.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualities:

 Excellent communication skills, and the ability to effectively convey messages to a wide range of audiences  The ability to confidently deliver talks and presentations to groups of children and adults  Experience of working with children/volunteers  Flexibility in the workplace  Good computer literacy, including the ability to use spreadsheets, word processing, email and internet  Able to work independently  Good problem solver with a ‘can do’ attitude  Highly motivated and keen to learn  Prioritising workloads

Desirable Skills, Experiences and Qualities

 Full driver’s licence and car – strongly desirable (Mileage expenses will be covered)  Knowledge and support of WDC and its objectives  Good knowledge of cetaceans, Scottish Wildlife and plants  Knowledge of computer design software (preferably InDesign)  Knowledge of data basing software  Experience of supervising groups and individuals  Experience of developing educational resources  Experience of working with/training volunteers Skills you will gain

2 x Guide and Conservation Volunteers - Residential

This role offers the following skills, experience and qualifications:

You will gain qualifications in:  Child Protection basic Awareness Level 1 qualification  1 day Emergency First Aid qualification  BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic Qualification (we will give you time off to complete this training but you will need to pay or fundraise for the cost of the course)

You will be trained (amongst other things) in:  Interpretive guiding  Wildlife identification  Research – Shorewatch  Education talks

You will gain experience in:

 Delivering interpretive talks and tours to a wide ranging audience  Responsibility of day to day running of shop and cash handling  Organising, running and publicising events for both adults and children  Project management of events and projects  Delivering a community conservation programme  Shore-based dolphin monitoring  Designing resources and leading activities for school groups  Volunteer supervision/training  Managing data collection and input of research data  Assisting in delivering educational activities to visiting school groups  Monitoring Health and Safety

You will gain skills in:  Effective communication  Public speaking  Strong Interpersonal skills  Presentation skills  An increased knowledge and awareness of cetaceans, Scottish wildlife and conservation issues  Conservation Education  Project management  Team work  Independent work  Leadership  Flexible working  Problem solving  Taking initiative  Prioritising and organising work  Wildlife identification Confidential This does not form part of the recruitment process

Name: Position Applied For:

Age: under 24 25-34 35-44 45-60 over 60

Marital Status: Single Married Separated

Widowed Divorced Other

Gender: Male Female

Do you regard yourself as having a disability within the terms of the Disability Discrimination act 1995? “A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities” Yes No

If you have a disability, please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make should you be offered the job?

Are you an EU Resident? Yes No If no, please provide Work Permit Number or Employment status details:

Ethnic Origin How would you describe your ethnic origin? White: Mixed:

British White & Asian

Irish White & Black Caribbean

Any other white background White & Black African

Asian, Asian British Any other mixed background

Indian Black, Black British

Pakistani Caribbean

Bangladeshi African

Any other Asian background Any other Black background

Chinese

Any other Ethnic Background

Are you related to any current WDC employees? Yes No If yes please state relationship

Where did you see this post advertised?

WDC website Environmentjob.co.u Countryside Job Other k Service (Please give details)

Have you applied for work with WDC before? Yes No Have you undertaken voluntary work? Yes No If yes, please give details