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Student Summer Job Posting: North Coast Program Assistant
Job Family: Marine Mammal Research
Status: Fixed Term Contract
Work Hours: 37.5 Hours / Week
Location: North Coast
City: Prince Rupert
Province: BC
Close Date: 5/6/2015
ROLE OVERVIEW
The North Coast Initiative is a new program of the Vancouver Aquarium based in Prince Rupert aimed at better
understanding cetacean (whale & dolphin) populations around the North Coast and Haida Gwaii. The Program Assistant
will help promote the program and engage north coast mariners, residents, and visitors in the B.C. Cetacean Sightings
Network (www.wildwhales.org) and other marine conservation initiatives.
The Program Assistant provides general outreach and administrative support to the Program Coordinator throughout
the busy summer months. General duties include planning and conducting community outreach events, delivering
youth and public programming on cetaceans, supporting volunteers, assisting with our platform of opportunity project
using ecotourism vessels to collect cetacean data, liaising with mariners and the public, and assisting with data entry and
organization.
Please note the following important information:
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This position is located in Prince Rupert, B.C.
This position is being funded by a grant which requires the successful candidate to be a student currently
enrolled in a post-secondary program, and between 15 & 30 years of age.
The pay rate for this position is $14.00 per hour.
This is a summer position with an expected start date is May 19th.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Provides administrative support to the North Coast Initiative Program Coordinator by:
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Conducting platform of opportunity surveys and helping coordinate volunteers that do the same;
Entering sightings data and maintaining sightings database;
Compiling and organizing humpback tail fluke identification photos;
Assisting with preparing Cetacean Research Program social media content;
Helping organize and conducting shoreline clean-ups;
Overseeing and supporting outreach volunteers;
Maintaining a presence in the office when the coordinator is away or in the field.
Helps build public awareness of cetaceans along the North Coast by:
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Planning, preparing and attending outreach events such as festivals and other special events to promote the B.C.
Cetacean Sightings Network and build public awareness of cetaceans along the North Coast;
Conducting mariner outreach and education by coordinating and undertaking Dock Talks at marinas in the
North;
Developing and maintaining professional links with conservation groups, government agencies, ecotourism
companies, and commercial and sport fishermen.
Consciously desires to improve the Vancouver Aquarium and its processes by:
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Maintaining organizational safety standards;
Continually improving our impact on the environment and greening of operations through support of our
Environmental Management System (EMS) protocols;
Performing additional duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
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1-2 years post-secondary in biology, natural sciences, environmental studies, marine science or a related field;
Experience delivering educational programs or talks;
Boating experience an asset;
Valid BC driver’s license.
Skills
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Strong organizational skills;
Some knowledge of marine mammal biology and ecology;
Outgoing, energetic and comfortable with public speaking and engaging the public;
Self-motivated and able to work well under minimal supervision;
Ability to learn and adapt in a constantly changing environment;
Resourceful, a problem-solver, skilled in meeting priorities and able to adapt to unexpected situations;
Ability and maturity to deal with a wide variety of ages and personalities.
Working Conditions
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The incumbent will work in a shared office environment with the usual ergonomic risks;
Job will require the ability to safely bend, lift and move objects (up to 20lbs) needed for outreach programs;
Own or have access to a vehicle for work-related travel (mileage and gas compensated);
Able to travel with the region, sometimes overnight, and to occasionally work evenings and weekends;
Exposure to sun, seasonal weather exposure, noise, and large crowds.
Please apply online