Intern positions for 2017 summer with Sea Synergy

Marine biology volunteer positions available at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland: 2016 summer season

Sea Synergy is a Marine Awareness and Activity Centre set up by marine biologist Lucy Hunt in her hometown; the beautiful coastal village Waterville located on the famed picturesque Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way driving routes in SW Ireland. For more info please visit www.seasynergy.ie .The centre opened in the summer of 2014 and since then has been shortlisted for Maritime tourism Award, Irish Responsible Tourism Award and the Ocean Heroes Award.

The marine awareness centre incorporates an interactive marine exhibition of Irish marine life, a small gift shop and a booking office for marine activities in the area. Marine awareness and education programmes are run from the centre throughout the summer including children and adult beach workshops, snorkelling, nature surveys, hatchery and lake tours, summer camps and indoor presentations. Sea Synergy is involved in and reports to a number of ongoing research projects such as Coastwatch, Seasearch, IWDG reporting schemes.

There are four full time volunteer positions available for end of May – end Sept 2017. Preference will be given to candidates that can volunteer for longer periods of time and who fit the below requirements. (More positions may also be available in August so please include how long you can come for and when you are available).  

Education and Outreach officer duties :

Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will:

·       Develop the marine education programme

·       Supervise children and adult marine workshops on the beaches and in the centre

·       Show people around the exhibition centre

·       Generate marine awareness presentations and games

·       Give marine wildlife presentations

·       Provide marine wildlife talks on boats when possible

·       Host travelling marine workshops

·       Create educational and promotional resources

·       Promote social networking and public relations

·       Social media reporting and advertising of activities & workshops

·       Assist in research and field survey work

·       Work in gift shop/booking office/exhibition reception

Research development officer duties

Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will:

·       Develop research and survey programme incl. Coastwatch, Shore Thing, local nature studies & trails, Citizen Science; seal surveys, IWDG

·       Record, organise data and report to relevant organisations

·       Supervise local headland watches for marine mammals and birds

·       Organise and conduct public whale watches from local headland

·       Set up and attend boat based surveys when possible

·       Provide talks/presentations on marine wildlife and survey involvement

·       Encourage the public in surveys - citizen science

·       Teach children and public survey methods

·       Promote social networking and public relations

·       Social media reporting and advertising of citizen science surveys & events

·       Work in gift shop/ exhibition reception & centre/booking office

Important skills/qualifications

Essential:

·       Background in marine biology/environmental science or similar 

·       Keen interest in marine conservation and education

·       First Aid skills

·       Be enthusiastic and possess a caring, patient & positive attitude, with a strong desire to learn

·       Previous boating experience (for research officer)

·       Strong commitment to volunteering work

·       Must be able use to use own initiative and have desire for independent actions/thoughts and work without continuous supervision

·       Ability to work well in a team

·       Confidence to interact with the public, especially children

·       Excellent verbal and writing/reporting skills

·       Good organizational and workload management skills

·       Good IT skills

Desirable:

·       Strong interest in and knowledge of Irish marine biodiversity

·       Previous experience snorkeling or scuba diving certificate 

·       Previous experience in public speaking

·       Marketing and social media skills

·       Previous experience working with children

·       Previous experience in survey work (e.g. headland watches, coastal surveys)

·       Previous experience in data handling

·       Previous experience with aquaria

·       Ability to work long hours outdoors in variable weather

·       Capability to work well on boats

·       Life saving and Advanced First Aid skills

·       Have own transport

Opportunities:

·       Live in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland for the summer

·       See some of Ireland’s amazing marine life on watches and surveys

·       Snorkel, scuba dive and observe Ireland’s coastal waters

·       Work with like-minded and enthusiastic team

·       Visit UNESCO world heritage site Skellig Micheal

·       Be part of survey vessels, wildlife tour boats and Skellig trips

·       Develop your skills in marine surveying, outreach, education and awareness

·       Gain experience with Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust in salmon and seatrout conservation measures

To view more of Sea Synergy and the area where you could be working watch this video clip from a programme featured on TV3 Lucy Hunt - Sea Synergy Waterville, Co. Kerry

Or see our schools promo clip on our new Youtube channel

Shared accommodation can be arranged with the Sea Synergy team at your own expense (ranging from €50-70pw depending on house availability).

TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter with your CV and available times for summer 2017 to Lucy Hunt at seasynergy@gmail.com withEMAIL TITLE: 2017 INTERN POSITION. Application deadline is 20^th of Feb 2017. Interviews will be conducted in March via skype/tel or in person. For more information please send an email to seasynergy@gmail.com  titled 2017 INTERN POSITION or call +353 (0) 877850929.

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www.seasynergy.ie

November newsletter

Hope you are well and you have enjoyed some time in the fine crisp cold weather we have been having the past few weeks! A lot of changes being happening around the world and with nature too as the days shorten animals are getting ready for hibernation. Sea Synergy marine awareness centre is too in hibernation as we are now closed for the winter until summer 2017, but that doesn’t mean that we have stopped; in fact I'm really happy to say it is one of my busiest autumns here at home in Ireland!

Now listed as one of the Heritage in schools Experts I have been out to lots of primary schools introducing them to all things marine, biodiversity, conservation and Leave No Trace. The school visits provide additional education on the natural environment and are part funded by the Heritage Council. If you work in a school or know anyone who does please pass on this information! Follow the link below to find out how to book a visit : http://www.heritageinschools.ie/heritage-education-in-schools-ireland/

Also this year I’m very happy to say I have been given the honour of rolling out the Marine Institutes fully funded Marine Explorers Programme for primary schools in Kerry! This is a fantastic programme for 3-6^th classes to discover the wonders of the ocean and how we are inextricably interconnected with it! It includes projects on marine biodiversity, having an aquarium in your school and a seashore safari as well as great lesson plans and resources for teachers! If you would like to get involved in either of these programmes for schools please email me on seasynergy@gmail.com

Also for Science week we have been visiting secondary schools to let students know what marine scientists work is like and show them some of the cool animals we get to hang out with!

In October I was delighted to be awarded silver in the Irish Responsible Tourism Awards forBest Natural Heritage Tourism for Sea Synergy. Thank you to everyone who wished us luck and congratulated us on our Silver award. I had a lovely day at the Irish Responsible Tourism Conference in Dublin and was delighted by the result!

We organised the first Iveragh Learning Landscapes Symposium from the 14-16^th of October which was a huge success! We were blown away by all the enthusiasm, excitement and fantastic feedback we have had from all our participants! The two day event in Waterville and Caherdaniel was focused on place based learning, outdoor education, nature connection and heritage through talks, workshops and guided walks. We had over 80 attendees from all different walks of life travelling from all over the country and Europe. These are the type of events we need in rural Ireland to help connect people with their place, extend the tourism season and empower people to have the confidence to teach outdoors so I am delighted it went so well! Keep an eye on the Iveragh Learning Landscapes Facebook page to keep up to date on next year’s event, scheduled for October 2017! For more info on the event this year see the report attached.

I had a fun afternoon with John and Kerryann from Atlantic Irish Seaweed on the Frank Lewis show on Radio Kerry talking rock pooling, foraging and folklore.  Listen in on the podcast just click the link :http://media.radiokerry.ie/mediamanager/embed/player/podcasts/38/item/64420

A few places still left on our Sea Self- Mindfulness @ Sea; 10^th-18^th December –St. Thomas; US & British Virgin IslandsWant to get away from the cold and busyness before Xmas? Come back refreshed and revived for the Christmas festivities? A trip of a lifetime amidst the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean awaits! Spend 9 days/8 nights aboard the 72ft yacht; Sea Dragon to reconnect with nature and yourself and discover one of the best places to be mindful – at sea. Spaces limited, more information and booking see  http://panexplore.com/mindfulness_at_sea/

IT Tralee Seminar SeriesWe recently attended a day’s seminar held by the BA Outdoor Learning students at IT Tralee. It was a very insightful event attended by like-minded people looking into High Quality Outdoor Learning (HQOL) in Ireland in the 21^st century. There was also a webinar for those who could not attend the event in person. It was lovely to see a few familiar faces from our recent Iveragh Learning Landscapes Symposium! The next seminar will be held on the 9^th December. Email david.gaughran@staff.ittralee.ie for more information and to book your place as places book up fast.

Also I will be running a Marine wildlife and heritage course for UCC ‘s  Adult Continuing Education department in Spring 2017, Dates to be confirmed but  it will be here in SW Kerry! If you would like a weekend of fun learning about our fantastic marine wildlife & heritage in the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula please contact me to find out more.  

And last but most definitely not least, one of our longest staying interns at Sea Synergy; Louise King will be leaving us on Monday so we wish her well on her new adventures and work placement in Plymouth aquarium! Thanks for all the help this year! As many people do she too has fallen in love with lovely Iveragh and assures everyone she will be back J

Lots of great plans coming for 2017! Including our Optimum You Wellness workshops and retreats in January with Carey Yoga & Nutrition!! So be sure to keep up to date on our Facebook page: LH Marine & Sea Synergy not to miss out!

Have an awesome winter! Look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Sea Synergy team for 2016! Thanks everyone xx

Listen in to the Frank Lewis radio show Kerry radio 29th Oct 2016

Radio Kerry Link