At each of PRETOMA’s projects, committed field staff in the form of Field Coordinators and Assistants are critical to the season’s success.  Timeframes range from 2.5 to 5 months, depending on site, and each project has its own special points and challenges.  Below you will find information pertaining to these Field Coordinator (FC) and Field Assistant (FA) positions.

Please read ALL of the information closely before applying.

Duties

Field Coordinators (FCs):

Two FCs are assigned to work cooperatively at each project site. The responsibilities of FCs vary from site to site, but generally entail coordinating the work of project members, the proper and professional recording of all technical data, communicating with project directors and ensuring the overall success of the project. All project sites are very remote and only visited by project directors, thus a high degree of independence, responsibility and commitment is expected from FCs.

Sea turtle work includes conducting night patrols to identify, measure and tag all adult turtles, relocate nests into hatcheries or mark them in situ, daily early morning walks to count turtle tracks and check status of in situ nests, monitor hatcheries around the clock, release hatchlings and conduct post hatching nest excavations.

Beside sea turtle duties, other responsibilities (depending on site) may include administrating food supplies and organizing cooking duties, as well as camp/hatchery upkeep and construction, which can include carrying heavy logs, shoveling sand, hammering nails, plant control and other strenuous physical activities. FCs must also maintain a friendly relationship with members from local communities as positive social relationships are crucial to the success of the projects.
All project activities are conducted using the help of paying participants or Field Assistants, depending on the project, which can vary in number. FCs are expected to orientate and direct project participants or FAs upon their arrival and motivate them for the duration of their time with the project.

It is important for FCs to be aware that the extended period of isolation and time in the field required by these projects can have adverse affects on personal moods and behaviors. Attitudes are very contagious in the project settings, thus it is crucial for FCs to set an example by staying motivated and maintaining a positive attitude at all times, thus helping other team members do the same.

Field Assistant (FAs):

FAs are being selected for our extremely remote project at Playa Caletas. Project personnel are usually the only people on the beach and project activities are based out of an encampment which consists of large communal tents, beds, a cooking area, solar panels, an outhouse, a well and a project hatchery. The camp is rustic and not for the faint of heart and FAs should be prepared to live a “Robinson Crusoe” lifestyle. It is crucial that selected FAs bring a positive attitude to the project, be adaptable to a variety of situations and be prepared to partake in ALL aspects of the project.

Sea turtle work includes conducting night patrols to identify, measure and tag all adult turtles, relocate nests into hatcheries or mark them in situ, daily early morning walks to count turtle tracks and check status of in situ nests, monitor hatcheries around the clock, release hatchlings and conduct post hatching nest excavations.

Beside sea turtle duties, FAs will need to partake in food administration and cooking duties, as well as camp/hatchery upkeep and construction, which can include carrying heavy logs, shoveling sand, hammering nails, plant control and other strenuous physical activities.

Having said all that, FAs can also expect to have a bed to sleep in, to work with a group of 6-8 diverse individuals from around the world, to live in an amazing camp right on a remote sea turtle nesting beach surrounded by diverse flora and fauna, to participate in the conservation of an endangered species, to gain biological research and leadership experience, and to make memories that will last a lifetime.  Volunteering at Playa Caletas is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

FAs are expected to stay at the project site for the entire period for which they are selected.
 
Requirements

Preference will be given to potential applicants that meet the following requirements:
 

Benefits/Costs

FCs and FAs have their food and lodging expenses covered while with the project, but are expected to plan and finance all travel to and from the project sites.

Timeframe

For the 2008-2009 nesting season PRETOMA will be accepting applications for Field Coordinators and Assistant for the following time periods:

Application Process

To apply, send an email which includes:

To:       Alec Hutchinson
Nesting Beach Projects
PRETOMA

Email: ahutchinson@tortugamarina.org

Web:   www.tortugamarina.org