Tourism Rangers (x2)

1. To start immediately, must speak French.
2. To start in September, must speak English (a second language is very useful).

Reporting to the Director, you will be involved in all our activities with visitors.  These will include, but are not limited to, leading night-time visits to nesting beaches, hatchling releases, kid’s clubs and daily presentations at the hatchery.  You will be promoting our Adopt a Turtle scheme and selling merchandise to support the project.  You will also be required to do occasional beach patrols with the other Rangers so that you can fully understand the project goals and methods.  This job is a mixture of daytime and nighttime shifts.  Please consider that you will be accompanying people on turtle walks six nights out of seven for as long as 14 weeks, sometimes without seeing a turtle.  You need to be outgoing, resilient and cheerful to fulfill this job.

Previous experience with turtles is an advantage but is not necessary, as full training will be given.  However, you need to have a strong desire to work in a conservation project and be able to communicate the project’s goals as well as having a belief in environmentally conscious living.   Your job is to represent the project and you should be confident and outgoing.  Previous experience in a sales or customer service environment is an advantage.  You should be comfortable talking to large groups as well as individuals and recognize that contact with turtles is often a life changing experience for visitors.  A large part of your job is making that experience the best that it can be.  You must be fluent in English plus another language (Portuguese, French, Italian, Dutch or German). You must be trustworthy, financially astute, organized and have computer skills.

Requirements for Tourism Ranger:

Desire to work in conservation
Outgoing personality and good communication skills
Previous experience working with tourists
Understand written and spoken English and another language
Driving License
Good level of physical fitness
High level of energy & flexibility
Able to make presentations to small groups of people
Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities
Able to work independently and show initiative
Organized & presentable

Benefits:  Shared accommodation and a living allowance of €100 a month after successful completion of two week training period and written test. Your allowance may be increased if you take on additional responsibilities or show initiative that results in improvements in and development of the project. 

Timing :  Start immediately until approximately first week of December.

Volunteers (Preferred commitment three weeks)

THERE IS NO APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR VOLUNTEERS

YOU CAN APPLY AT ANY TIME.

Volunteers assist experienced full-time Rangers and, under supervision, perform all the same duties, including night patrols to deter hunters, tagging and measuring turtles and collecting data and day patrols to relocate nests to the hatchery. Volunteers are also responsible for monitoring nests and releasing hatchlings.  You may be asked to perform other duties such as working with tourists, outreach activities and research projects. It will not only provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques and give you the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of marine turtles. Volunteers have been directly responsible for saving numerous nesting turtles and hatchlings and experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly change the declining situation on Sal.  You will spend periods of time in the field camps (usually three days at a time).

This is challenging work that can be extremely tiring and stressful.  You will work during the night as well as during the day.  A good level of fitness and physical and mental energy is required as patrols are long (possibly all night), conducted on foot may be as much as 15km. Shift patterns vary but you will have one day’s rest per week.  Read the FAQs for more information.

During your volunteer period you will have the opportunity to participate in other activities such as sightseeing, diving and other water-sports.

Requirements:

• Desire to work in conservation
• At least 18 years old
• Understand written and spoken English
• Good level of physical fitness
• High level of energy & flexibility
• Used to physically challenging conditions (long walks, late nights, hot weather, insects)
• Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities
• Able to work independently and show initiative

Volunteer Fees: Volunteers pay €100 per week to cover accommodation, water and electricity but this does not include food.  Please note that water and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp for more information).  Rangers normally cook dinner communally for €10 per person per week, other meals are prepared individually.  Sal is not a cheap place to live so you should have sufficient money to support yourself. 

Once a volunteering period has been agreed you will be asked for a deposit with the full amount payable eight weeks prior to arrival.  A cancellation fee of 20% will be applied after this time.

Timing :  We require volunteers from the middle of June until mid-December.  Start dates are flexible.  Minimum period one week but we prefer applicants who can participate for three weeks.

Working with turtles as part of your holiday

If you would like to participate in the project as part of your holiday we can tailor make a programme to fit in with the time you have available.  This option is a good choice for families as there are some activities that are suitable for children as young as 10.   Your holiday could incorporate

·       Night time patrols on foot with Wildlife Rangers to nesting beaches where you will assist with turtles being tagged and measured (must have a good level of fitness)

·       Morning patrols to assist with relocation of nests

·       Assisting with turtle walks, working in the hatchery and helping with hatchling releases

You will be asked to pay a participation fee of €15 per person per day.  We are a non-profit organization and your fee goes directly to turtle conservation and community projects. 

It is possible to participate from July until December.  (Nesting season is from June to October with hatchlings being born from mid August until mid-December).

You can choose to stay with the Rangers depending on availability (at additional cost).  We can assist with holiday arrangements through our travel agency partners.  Please email info@sostartarugas.org for more information.

About the field camps

Two field camps are planned, one at Serra Negra and one at Mont Leão, the only Marine Protected Zone (MPZ) in Cape Verde.  In 2011 & 2012 Serra Negra had the highest density of turtles on Sal - it is therefore the best opportunity to work with turtles and is also where the majority of training will take place.  Mont Leão has a lower nesting density but has a high mortality rate and therefore is a critical area for protection.  Both beaches are only 20 minutes drive from Santa Maria but are quiet and infrequently visited.  By participating in these camps you will make a very real difference to the survival of nesting turtles on Sal.  You will stay on the beach in groups of three or four living in tents, for three to six nights and have one day of rest in Santa Maria each week.  We may share the camp with soldiers. 

During the night you will make patrols in the area and during the day will have time to rest and swim and perform maintenance duties around the camp (including beach cleaning).  There is a pit toilet and shaded areas but limited fresh water.  Drinking water and basic foodstuff is provided, including rice, pasta, sugar & tinned goods but you will be responsible for bringing fresh food, bread and other items with you.  Facilities and comfort will be limited so you should be sure that you are able to cope with these conditions before you apply for this option.  You will be advised what you need to bring if you are offered a place.

Research projects

If you are a student and wish to complete a research project as part of your studies, we have several ongoing studies that may be suitable.  We can also collaborate on the development of new studies that make a contribution to the conservation of loggerhead turtles in Cabo Verde.  Research projects are undertaken in addition to duties as a Ranger.  If this is of interest please complete the application form for a Wildlife Ranger position and complete the section regarding research projects.


RESEARCH PROPOSAL GUIDELINES 2012

In order to understand the objectives of the project please read the information on our website and blog.  For your thesis or research to be accepted your proposal should indicate the benefit to the project  and turtle conservation in Cape Verde.

Please note that you must first be accepted as a Ranger by completing the application process and that duties as a Ranger takes priority over research projects.  This means that a research project will be a great deal of additional work.  Please bear this in mind when writing your proposal.

General Guidleines

• No unnecessary pain or stress caused to the turtles.
• A complete proposal must be produced before the research begins. This should include a written document stating the aims, methods, equipment required, costs and benefits.
• Your research proposal and methodology must be approved by the project co-ordinator/director before you begin.
• You must ensure other members of the SOS Tartarugas team understand your project/research Although members of the team may be able to assist with data collection or other aspects, this cannot be guaranteed.  You are entirely responsible for the fieldwork.  Involvement of other people must be approved by the project coordinator.  If other members of the team help you with your research it is your responsibility to train them.
• You are required to give updates periodically to ensure other team members are aware of preliminary results or changes to protocols.
• Equipment in Cape Verde is limited and basic, if you need any specialist equipment you will need to bring it with you.  However, before you buy anything, ask first, it may already be available.
• SOS Tartarugas will not contribute funding to your study unless agreed in advance.
• Data remains the property of SOS Tartarugas and can only be used during your time in the project.  Any copies of the data (electronic or printed) must be returned before you leave unless you have obtained specific approval.  Use of the data for any other purpose is not permitted.

Ongoing studies include:

1. Light pollution

The effects of light pollution on relocation strategies and misorientation of Loggerhead hatchlings.

Influence of moonlight on Loggerhead hatchlings misorientation.

2. Influence of moon phase and tide in nesting behavior in Loggerhead turtles. 

3. Physical and chemical factors affecting hatching success in loggerhead turtles and their importance in relocation strategies. 

4. Predation

Impact of ghost crab predation in Loggerhead turtles.

5. Sex determination

Analysis of data from temperature loggers

6. Relative hatching success 

Hatchery vs in situ vs trans situ

7. Impact of climate change

Impact of climate change on incubation and study on mitigation factors (shading, sprinklers, etc).

8. Inwater study

Analysis of turtle sightings made by fishermen and leisure boats.

Why this project is different to other projects

• The work is very direct and hands on.  We are saving turtles from being killed, preventing the loss of nests and protecting habitat.  You will see immediate results from your work.
• We do not charge you HUGE FEES.  The majority of participants actually GET PAID a living allowance plus accommodation.  
• By taking on more responsibility you have the opportunity to EARN MORE. 
• We are based in a tourist resort so there are a lot of restaurants and bars plus great beaches and access to watersports (world famous windsurfing spot, diving, sailing)
• You can get involved in other aspects of the project such as tourism, outreach, research (ongoing work on beach suitability, sex-ratio and in-water studies).
• It's not just us - there's loads of people who live here of all nationalities who give one or two nights a week to protecting the turtles - it makes it a multi-national, multi-aged, interesting place to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be trained to work with turtles?  Yes, full training will be given and will be ongoing throughout the season.  For short-term volunteers training will be more hands on and less theoretical.

Do I need to be fit?  Everyone finds the first couple of weeks hard as walking on soft sand takes a little bit of getting used to.  You need to be physically active and able to walk up to 15km in four hours.

In what way will this work further my career?  The experience you will gain is only limited by your willingness to become involved.  The project is multifaceted and not only would you learn about working with nesting loggerhead turtles but you could also become involved in research projects, work with tourists, manage data, make presentations, work with communities and with children, and possibly gain experience of managing others.  You will have experienced a new culture and will have demonstrated that you can work hard and have the ability to cope under physically difficult conditions.

Can I apply for shorter periods than those stated?  Yes, for exceptional candidates dates can be flexible.

Will I receive any payment?  Living allowances for Rangers are only offered if you meet the stated criteria & successfully complete the training & pass a written test.  Bonuses are available for those who take on extra responsiblity.

Will I be reimbursed for flights and other expenses?  No, only benefits stated above will be paid. 

Do I need a visa?  Yes, you should obtain a tourist visa suitable for your length of stay from your own country prior to arrival in Cabo Verde.  We can supply a letter supporting visa applications but cannot assist in any other way.  For short stays (one month or less) you can buy a visa on arrival for €25.

As a Wildlife Rangers will my living allowance cover all my expenses?  The price of food and other items is high due to import taxes, you should bring extra money to cover unforeseen costs.  In previous years Rangers cooked communally dinner on a budget of €10 per person per week, other meals are prepared individually.

Am I required to pay any fees?  Volunteer fees are €100/week.  Rangers are paid a living allowance.  All participants are required to pay a €100 returnable deposit against breakages or loss of project equipment. 

What is the weather like?  Generally weather in Sal is warm and pleasant, (August and September are the hottest months) with strong sea breezes.  Usually small amounts of rain fall in August, September and October.  You should bring a rain jacket. Warm clothes are needed at the start and the end of the season.

What are medical facilities like?  There is a government run hospital which is basic and a private clinic which is expensive.  Most medicines are available, but you must arrange insurance that will cover repatriation in an emergency.  We will not be responsible for medical expenses and will ask for proof of insurance.  Cases of malaria are rare in Sal but are sometimes seen on other islands.

What is it like living in Sal?  Sal is a new tourism destination and as such is subject to power cuts, water shortages and other issues that may be expected in a developing nation.  You will not find the same level of service and goods to which you may be accustomed.  However, Santa Maria is a pleasant place to live with low crime, a wide range of water sports, bars and restaurants.  The population on Sal is a mix of European, African and Capeverdean.  Those who come with a flexible and open attitude will enjoy exploring a different culture and maximizing their time on a sunny island with great water sports and good social life.

How much leisure time will I have?  During the nesting season you will work six days/nights a week, although this may vary depending on the needs of the project. On your day off you will probably be too tired to do much but sleep and rest but people do find the time to dive, sunbathe or sightsee.  This is a job and should not be viewed as a working holiday.

What is a typical day like?  Every day & every night can be different as the work is very dynamic and the timings vary a lot.  However, our work schedule for Rangers & Volunteers is usually:

20.30 Briefing

21:00 Night patrols (either 21:00-01:00 or 01:00-07:00 or 21:00-07:00)

06:00 - 09:00 Morning patrol

09:00 - 16:00 Rest & leisure time

16:00 - 18:00 Work period (maintenance & other tasks)

19:00 Dinner

For the tourism team

20:15 - 23:00 Turtle Walks

10:00-12:00 Hatchery duty / hotel visits

16:00 - 18:00 Hatchery duty / hotel visits

What is the accommodation like?  Accommodation is provided in apartments (shared rooms, shared bathrooms & living areas).  You may not stay in the same room for the whole period you are with the project.  All apartments are very close to the beach. You are responsible for keeping your room and the communal areas clean.  

What is the best way to reach Sal?  You can reach Sal (SID) from many European, African and American cities.  Flights to Cabo Verde can be expensive and it is sometimes best to look for flights with charter, rather than scheduled airlines.  One way bargains can often be obtained close to the day of travel.  We suggest that you try the following:

From Lisbon TACV Cabo Verde Airlines or TAP or White Airways

From the UK (Birmingham, Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands, Glasgow) www.thomsonfly.com or First Choice http://flights.firstchoice.co.uk/firstchoice/en-GB/booking/standardsearch

From Germany (Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Hanover) www.tuifly.com

From Brussels www.jetairfly.com

From France Excel http://www.xlairways.fr/

From Scandanavia http://www.tuiflynordic.dk http://www.tuiflynordic.se http://www.tuiflynordic.fi, http://www.tuiflynordic.no

From the Netherlands Transavia http://www.transavia.com/hv/en-EU/home or Arkefly http://www.arkefly.nl/default.aspx

From the USA there are direct flights on TACV from Boston to Praia (the capital city) but it is generally cheaper to fly via London or another European city.

Please bear in mind that flight prices and charter flights are often cheaper as you get closer to the departure date.

Here is a useful flight guide http://atlantico-weekly.com/cape-verde-flight-guide-4/

Can my partner, friends or relatives visit me on the project?  This is not possible during the peak of the season.  At other times this must be arranged in advance.  Please note that during their visit it is unlikely that you will be able to take extra time off since we usually have the minimum number of people we need. If your friends wish to stay with you (subject to availability) they will be required to pay for accommodation and will be expected to participate fully in the project. 

Will I have time to see any other islands?

We recommend that you allow time at the end of your contract to visit other islands or to relax before going home.  If you are accepted, the date that you have been given as your end date is the date you will be expected to work until.  Any breaks in work (such as graduation ceremonies) must be notified prior to the start of your contract.

How can I find out more about SOS Tartarugas?  Please visit our website (www.turtlesos.org) and blog (http://turtlesoscaboverde.blogspot.com/).

To find out more about living on Sal as well as our work please take a look at the photos on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/turtlesos in particularly the photo album for job applicants https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152310288870114.932323.123804725113&type=1