Background to the project

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR RANGERS, TOURISM, CAMP COORDINATOR 30TH JANUARY 2013.

SHORT TERM VOLUNTEERS CAN APPLY AT ANY TIME.

Cabo Verde is the world’s third most important site for nesting loggerhead turtles.  SOS Tartarugas began operations in June 2008 on Sal in response to the wholesale slaughter of turtles as they came on to the beach to nest, a situation that may have resulted in rapid extinction.  SOS Tartarugas is a non-profit environmental organisation.  The main objective is to protect and conserve loggerhead turtles through deterring illegal hunting and protecting nesting habitat.  We work in conjunction with local and national government and law enforcement agencies and over five seasons have significantly reduced the number of nesting turtles killed.  SOS Tartarugas is based on Sal but also works in conjunction with other partners on several more islands.  The organization is a member of TAOLA, the Cape Verdean Sea Turtle Network.  For more information visit www.turtlesos.org or our blog http://turtlesoscaboverde.blogspot.com/

 

The project encompasses patrolling beaches (night and morning) to monitor nesting and deter hunting, data collection, research, working with tourists and local businesses, operation of hatcheries, education & outreach activities and beach clean-ups. The work is undertaken by full-time and part-time Rangers of many nationalities as well as volunteers from the community & Capeverdean Monitors.  Although there is a wide scope of activities within the project, protection of nesting turtles continues to be the main focus and this can be stressful and tiring, but ultimately highly rewarding.  You can find more information about typical nights and days on our blog. Extracts from thelog book

The usual nesting season is from June until October with hatchlings being born from mid-August until late December.  The project is based in Santa Maria, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and water-sports.  Participants are based in self-catering accommodation as well as in field camps.

When & how you can participate in the project

There are various ways in which you can contribute to the conservation of marine turtles in Cabo Verde, depending on your experience and the time you have available.  We are inviting applications for varying periods, ranging from a few weeks to the entire season.  You can even participate if you have only a few days on your holiday. The available positions are detailed below.  

WHAT'S THE KEY INGREDIENT TO WORK IN THIS PROJECT?

The ability to work hard under mentally & physically challenging conditions with a group of people you don't know who all have different personalities, cultures, experiences and continue to have a positive attitude.  We can teach you to work with turtles but you have to bring a great attitude with you!

Nesting usually begins in the second week of June and peaks during July, August & September, declining to one or two nests a day by the beginning of October.  Hatching goes on until late December. July, August & September are intense and tiring and you will need considerable mental and physical stamina, commitment and calmness during this time. 

We are looking for people who really want to work in this field and who view the Ranger positions as jobs, not as a working holiday.  For this reason, unlike the majority of turtle conservation projects, we offer a small amount of financial support as well as free accommodation.  If you would like a working holiday please look at the description for short term volunteers.

Our work consists of:

·       June – Night patrols and morning patrols.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks for guests start in the last week of the month.

·       July – Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks.

·       August - Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks.  Nest excavations at the hatchery and on the beach, hatchling releases.  Hatchery checks throughout the night.

·       September - Night patrols, morning patrols. Field camps operational.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach).  Turtle Walks.  Nest excavations at the hatchery and the beach, hatchling releases.  Hatchery checks throughout the night.

·       October - Morning patrols. Afternoon patrols to excavate nests.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach). Nest excavations at the hatchery.  Hatchling releases.  Hatchery checks throughout the night.  Field camps close.

·       November - Hatchery checks throughout the night. Morning & afternoon patrols to excavate nests.  Daily presentations at the hatchery.  Daytime work (maintenance, making signs, outreach). Nest excavations at the hatchery.

To get an idea about Sal & about our work please look at these photos.

This is an opportunity to be part of a new and expanding project that is achieving excellent results and with your contribution will continue to evolve.  It will not only provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques but also give you the opportunity to make a real difference to the survival of marine turtles. SOS Tartarugas staff have been directly responsible for saving numerous nesting turtles and hatchlings and experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly affect the declining situation in Cabo Verde.  Rangers are based in Santa Maria but spend varying periods at the field camp in basic conditions. Please note that only water and basic foods are provided in the camps (see section about the camp for more information).

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 (some are all night), conducted on foot and 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.

We patrol in pairs and are sometimes supported by the military but you will encounter hunters on the beach even if soldiers are present.  You should be sure that you are mentally strong and calm enough to accept this. 

How to apply

We have several vacancies for the current season, these will remain open until the are filled.

Short term volunteers can apply at any time.

Please read the job descriptions and FAQs carefully before deciding which position you are most suitable for and the dates to which you can commit. Please think carefully which time of year would suit your skills and personality best and whether you have the stamina to sustain a long period of patrolling.  An application form can be found at the end of this document.  Please follow the instructions very carefully as incomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted or acknowledged.  Send your application to info@sostartarugas.org.
 
Your application will be acknowledged within a few days and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted.  We interview all shortlisted candidates except for volunteers by skype.  You must have skype, we will not call by phone.  If your application is successful you will be sent a detailed job offer with terms and conditions.  You will have 14 days to accept the position.

Download the application form here.  (This takes you to Google Docs - click on File and Download in the drop down menu)

Wildlife Rangers with experience

We require Wildlife Rangers with experience from the beginning of June until mid October.  To apply for this position you must have previous experience on a similar turtle conservation project.  You must be competent at working with nesting turtles including accurate recording of data, track identification, flipper tagging, relocation of nests & nest excavations.  You will be responsible for the supervision of volunteers.   You may be asked to perform other duties such as working in the hatchery, guiding visitors on nighttime walks as well as participating in outreach activities with schools and other groups.  You may also participate in or develop research projects.  You will be have a probationary period and will be expected to pass a written & practical test.

Requirements for Wildlife Rangers with experience

Available mid-June to mid-October

Previous experience in turtle conservation project

High level of energy & flexibility

At least 20 years old

Understand written and spoken English

Good attention to detail

Driving License

Good level of physical fitness

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

Other skills that are useful

·       You speak more than one language – particularly Kriolu, Portuguese, Italian, German or French

·       You are a mechanic and able to maintain quad bikes and a cars with limited resources

·       You have practical skills such as woodworking or building

·       You have sales or customer service skills

·       You have computer skills (design packages, spreadsheet or database management)

·       You have experience in tourism

·       You have legal experience

·       You are a teacher or have experience in environmental education

·       You have experience training and managing volunteers in a similar project

Benefits for Wildlife Rangers with experience

Shared accommodation.  A monthly food allowance of €100 per month following the successful completion of a two week training period & written test, rising to €150/month if objectives are met.  See FAQs for information about living costs on Sal.

Timing : Start date week commencing 4 June to mid October. We prefer candidates who can commit to the entire period.

Field Coordinator São Nicolau

São Nicolau is a beautiful island northwest of Sal, it has a fantastic combination of beaches, mountains, dramatic rocky coastlines, colonial style buildings and old fashioned charm.  We have been supporting turtle conservation and educational activities there for a number of years.  This year we would like to increase the level of support by sending a team of two people to live there and coordinate our activities, engage more people in the community and help to boost the skills and knowledge of the already established project.

The coordinator needs to be a very special person, with a mixture of solid experience with loggerhead turtles, the ability to work independently and proven leadership skills.  Some of the beaches are isolated and hard to get to you will need to be resourceful and show initiative to develop the best plan for the season.  If you think this is you please review the requirements for Wildlife Ranger and add these.

Must have experience with nesting loggerhead turtles (including track identification, tagging, nest relocations and nest excavations)
Must speak Capeverdean Krioul or Portuguese or Spanish
Must have attention to detail, capable of excellent data collection and ability to follow protocols
Must have experience training and leading other people
Must be dynamic and able to problem solve
Must be able to work independently
Must be friendly and culturally sensitive

This is an ideal stepping stone for someone already working in turtle conservation who wishes to become a project coordinator.

To be interviewed for this position, you will need to demonstrate on your application that you have all the above qualities and experience.

Timing : Training in Sal in June and staying on São Nicolau between July and October.

Benefits : Initially €100/month plus accommodation - rising to €300 depending on performance.

Wildlife Rangers no experience

We require Wildlife Rangers from the beginning of June until mid-December for two periods, either 18 June - 27 August or 27 August to 5 November.  Wildlife Rangers are responsible for protecting nesting loggerhead turtles, their eggs and the nesting beaches.  Duties will include night patrols to deter hunters, tagging and measuring turtles and collecting data and day patrols to relocate nests to the hatchery.  Following the end of the nesting season Rangers will be responsible for monitoring nests and releasing hatchlings.  You may be asked to perform other duties such as working in the hatchery, guiding visitors on nighttime walks as well as participating in outreach activities with schools and other groups. 

We need motivated, committed and flexible individuals with a strong desire to make a difference.  You must have previous fieldwork experience but not necessarily on a turtle project.  Priority will be given to those with relevant experience and who wish to develop a career in conservation work.   You will be have a probationary period and will be expected to pass a written & practical test. 

Requirements for Wildlife Rangers (no experience)

• Desire to work in conservation
• High level of energy & flexibility
• At least 18 years old
• Understand written and spoken English
• Good attention to detail
• Good level of physical fitness
• 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

Other skills that are useful

• You speak more than one language – particularly Kriolu, Portuguese, Italian, German or French
• You are a mechanic and able to maintain quad bikes and a cars with limited resources
• You have practical skills such as woodworking or building
• You have sales or customer service skills
• You have computer skills (design packages, spreadsheet or database management)
• You have experience in tourism
• You have legal experience
• You are a teacher or have experience in environmental education
• You have experience training and managing volunteers in a similar project

Benefits for Wildlife Rangers with no experience

Shared accommodation and a monthly food allowance of €100 per month on successful completion of a two week training period & written test.  Bonuses are available for those who show commitment and initiative.

Timing : 18 June - 27 August OR 27 August - 5 November

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