WDCS (NA) Intern / Residential Volunteer Program

Description of Organization
WDCS (NA), the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is a non-profit research, education and conservation organization headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The North American office is the newest addition to WDCS, the leading international charity dedicated solely to the worldwide conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises. Email Sue.Rocca@wdcs.org or call 508 746 2522 for further information.

Background to Program
WDCS offers a volunteer / intern program to qualified applicants throughout the year. The program provides a unique opportunity to garner experience in research, education and conservation of marine mammals. WDCS is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program through their college or university. The program is broken down into 3 blocks with a minimum commitment of 3 months, and the maximum stay being 4 months. There is the possibility for a volunteer to apply for a second block of up to 4 months.

Each block provides different opportunities regarding the work to be carried out. This is reflective of the weather conditions in the northeast US, the fact the whales are migratory and the varying conservation / management duties throughout the year. This type of diversity will provide interns with breadth of experience of working for an international organization in the conservation arena. It may also open doors to other opportunities within WDCS as it continues its development and growth.

These internships are on a volunteer basis. This means each volunteer is responsible for providing their own food and transportation.

Living arrangements
* will be provided and based in Plymouth, MA. The accommodation can hold up to 3 interns
** the cost being $500 per month per person.
*** The associated fee of this program is used solely to offset the cost of housing. Payment for the session must be made in full prior to the start date. Applicants are responsible for damage done to the property during their stay.
**** WDCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin.

Application Dates
We are accepting applications on an on-going bases. Please make sure your application stipulates your ability

WDCS Program
Program may include all or some portion of the following:

Education and Outreach-
• Whale Watch Naturalist Training.
• Outreach to local schools and the general public.
• Assisting in hosting international travel groups in June and July.
• Writing up a synopsis of the work you conduct while interning with WDCS
• Identifying and planning local events for the next 12 months – these will be taken forward by future interns meaning accurate recorded background information and the handover of work are critical.

Research-
• Cataloguing individually identifiable humpback whales.
• Collection of distributional data of marine mammals in, and around, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
• Researching and submitting grant applications.
• Preparing a report of the previous season’s whale sightings with historical analysis, risk issues and the impact of cumulative developmental threats.
• Attendance and participation in stranding training and events.

Conservation-
• Supporting WDCS personnel at key conservation meetings.
• Literature research for written and oral comments submitted to federal agencies.

Other possible opportunities or requirements-
• Possibility to transfer to the WDCS Wildlife Center on the shores of the Moray Firth, Scotland for a period of time as a residential volunteer – min 1 month, max 6 months Click here for more information.
• Possibility of Humpback whale research internship in the Turk and Caicos during the months of January and February
• Monitoring surveys with Battelle Ocean Sciences to monitor ocean water quality in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays.
• Servicing and general maintenance of a sea going vessel.

Candidate Requirements
• Must be eligible to work in the US.
• Fluency in English.
• Must be 18 years or older, preference given to students matriculated in appropriate graduate or under graduate degree programs.
• Must be able to show proof of valid health insurance and provide evidence of a recent physical.
• Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require physical labor.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a close knit team.
• Good computer skills – familiarity with operating PC’s and MAC’s.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Familiar with literature research protocols and the Harvard system of referencing.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people of all ages and able to handle unanticipated situations.
• Familiarity with DSLR camera, GPS equipment may be beneficial.
• Ability to impart information in an understandable way to the public under a variety of conditions. This may include speaking on a microphone onboard a WW vessel.

Howto Apply
• Email a covering letter, the completed Volunteer application form, two letters of reference, along with a resume of no more than 3 pages along with a supporting document of no more than 500 words on one of the following subjects –
• Do whales die through human’s knowledge or ignorance?
• Preservation or conservation. Which offers the best route to a sustainable population of an endangered species and why?
• How do you convert apathy into interest and then into action?

Please submit your application by email only to
Sue.Rocca@wdcs.org by the appropriate closing date making sure you clearly indicate for which program you wish to be considered.

Click here to download an application in Microsoft Office Word format. (file size .5Mb)
Click here to download an appliocation in RTF format for those who do not have Microsoft Office. (file size 10Mb)