[MARMAM] Position Notice - Database and Intern Coordinator, The Whale Center of New England
Position Available Database and Intern Coordinator The Whale Center of New England, Gloucester MA The Whale Center of New England, Gloucester, MA, is looking for a permanent, full-time employee to coordinate its data files, photo-identification catalogs, and internship program. Full details on the organization and its programs can be found on our web site at www.whalecenter.org <http://www.whalecenter.org/> . The position is open immediately, and will be filled as quickly as possible by an appropriate candidate. Database manager duties include oversight of the input and storage of all Whale Center data on marine mammals, including data on vessel effort, sightings, behavior, and associated variables. Data are collected off of whale watch vessels, dedicated research vessels, and fast ferries with dedicated observers on board. The Database Manager will insure through QA/QC that data are accurately entered into Microsoft Access and similar data storage files in a timely manner by field observers, and that data are available for analysis by Whale Center staff and other collaborative groups as required. Photo-identification Catalog Curator duties include maintenance and upkeep of photographic catalogs of individually identified humpback, fin, right, and sei whales; oversight of matching process to identify individuals seen on both whale watch and dedicated research cruises; correspondence and collaboration with related regional and oceanic research groups and catalogs for appropriate data sharing. Internship Coordinator duties include programmatic oversight of Whale Center interns. Full details on the internship are provided at http://whalecenter.org/research-whales/whale-center-internships.html. The intern coordinator is responsible for advertising for, recruiting, and selecting interns; training interns in all programmatic aspects of their internship; overseeing their field data collection, refinement, and analysis duties; and holding regular seminar meetings to discuss current literature. Field data collection duties include time aboard both commercial whale watch and dedicated research vessels. Our large whale field season runs from April to October, and includes considerable time observing humpback, fin, and other large whales from both platforms. Duties of the staff person will include supervising data collection from our own research vessel; acting as a naturalist and data collection coordinator aboard whale watch vessels out of Gloucester and Boston, MA; and undertaking collaborative research cruises on an as-needed basis. A North Atlantic right whale shipboard field season runs from mid-October to mid-December. Duties of the staff person will include assistance and/or coordination of cruises according to pre-set protocols for data collection. Other organizational duties of the position include responses to beachcast or stranded marine mammals, attending related professional workshops and conferences, representing The Whale Center on policy-related boards as necessary, contributing articles to our quarterly membership newsletter, and other related duties as needed. The successful candidate should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Marine Science, or a related discipline; some experience working in the field with cetacean observation and photo-identification; be a self-motivated, independent hard worker; be detail-oriented; and be enthused about mentoring interns starting in the field. The position is full time and comes with a full benefit package and paid vacation. Salary is commensurate with academic training and experience, in the low to mid- $30,000 range. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, C.V., and three references to Mason Weinrich, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, at ma...@whalecenter.org. A full job description is available upon request. You may also e-mail with any questions about the position that you may have. Mason Weinrich ma...@whalecenter.org Whale Center of New England www.whalecenter.org ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] New paper re: Effects of whale watching on humpback whale reproductive success
ma...@whalecenter.org Announcing publication of a new paper: Weinrich, M., and C. Corbelli. 2009. Does whale watching in Southern New England impact humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calf production or calf survival? Biological Conservation 142: 2931-2940. Abstract: There is growing concern about the effects of wildlife tourism on biologically important parameters in target species and/or populations. We tested whether whale watch vessel exposure affected either the calving rates or calf survival to age 2 in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on their feeding grounds off of southern New England, where individually identified whales have been studied intensively for decades and whale watch pressure is intense. Whale watch exposure did not correlate with either the calving rate (# of calves/# of years sighted) or calf production and survival of individual females, although a breakpoint analysis showed a slight negative trend up to 1649 min (or 20 boat interactions). In some comparisons, whales with more exposure were significantly more likely to produce calves and to have those calves survive. Logistic regressions including exposure and prey variables also failed to show negative effects of exposure in predicting calf productivity or survival. A limited comparison of calves seen only in an alternate habitat without whale watching showed similar return rates to those in the exposed area. Our data include limited suggestions that some animals (i.e., females alive when whale watching started) might be more susceptible to impacts than others. However, we found no direct evidence for negative effects of whale watch exposure, and suggest that short-term disturbance may not necessarily be indicative of more meaningful detrimental effects on either individuals or populations. PDF reprint available from the author at ma...@whalecenter.org. ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Position Available: Whale Center of New England Assistant Director
Sender: Mason Weinrich e-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]"[EMAIL PROTECTED] The Whale Center of New England, a not-for-profit organization in Gloucester, MA, is looking for an Assistant Director to both aid in the organization’s long term field studies of large whales and to head up their field marine mammal stranding response program. The Whale Center of New England has been in existence since 1980. We have a long history of primary field research, emphasizing studies of humpback and North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of Maine, and also engage actively in conservation and education programs. More details, and a full bibliography of our publications, can be found at our web site, HYPERLINK "http://www.whalecenter.org/"www.whalecenter.org. Since 2001, we have also been the primary field respondent from Marblehead, MA to the New Hampshire border for reports of beached seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals as part of the Northeast Regional Stranding Network. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who combines an enthusiasm for the discipline, good field skills, and a strong academic background. We prefer a Ph.D., but will consider someone with a Master’s Degree if the rest of their skill set is right for the job. Since we are a small organization who often work in close quarters, an ability to get along well with co-workers while still playing a leadership role is helpful. Experience with field techniques such as photo-identification, biopsy, and tagging is helpful, as is some prior experience doing marine mammal stranding response. The successful candidate will be encouraged to both contribute to our long-term efforts, and to develop their own research agenda. Salary is commensurate with qualifications, but it is a competitive salary with a full benefit package, annual holidays, etc. Position will be filled on a first-come basis. For a full job description, or to ask any questions about the position, please e-mail Mason Weinrich, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, at HYPERLINK "mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]"[EMAIL PROTECTED] Mason Weinrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Whale Center of New England www.whalecenter.org No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.2/1272 - Release Date: 2/11/2008 5:28 PM ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Position Opening: Assistant Director, The Whale Center of New England
Hi all – Due to unexpected circumstances, we are re-opening our search for a full time Assistant Director. The Whale Center is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Gloucester, MA. Incorporated in 1979, our mission is to conduct research on whales and their habitat and to actively engage in marine conservation and education. The Whale Center has long term studies on a variety of marine mammals, including endangered North Atlantic humpback, fin, and right whales, with a long scientific publication history; is the regional stranding respondent for the North Shore of Massachusetts; has seats on a variety of regional committees including the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, the Northeast Implementation Team, and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council; and operates a public Visitor Center in Gloucester, MA. Full details on the organization can be found at www.whalecenter.org. The Assistant Director is responsible for a variety of tasks, including * Aiding, creating and supervising organizational research programs (including experimental design, literature review, supervision of data collection and analysis, and publication of results); * Coordinating response to reports of live and dead stranded marine mammals on Massachusetts’ North Shore (including training of staff and volunteers; organization, archival, and transfer of stranding data; interacting with town, state, and federal agencies regarding strandings; purchasing and maintaining equipment and supplies; and other duties as deemed necessary); * Acting as the captain and chief scientist aboard dedicated research trips (including boat preparation and planning of trip beforehand; assistance in upkeep of research vessel; supervision of behavioral data collection during trip; collection of biopsy and fecal samples; and writing of data sheets after trip); * Acting as a part of the organization’s “management team,” which includes an active voice in all aspects of the organization’s operations in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, including oversight of other organizational employees; * Maintaining of office computers and computer network; * Representing The Whale Center of New England on committees and panels related to whale or marine conservation, education, and research; * Acting as an on-board naturalist on commercial whale watching trips, collecting data on such trips, writing data sheets for each trip (including review of photographs for whale identification purposes); * Contributing articles to the organization’s quarterly newsletter, "Flukeprints;" * Assisting in fund-raising efforts for the organization; * Accomplishing other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors. During summer (June through September), hours are variable, but generally long. From October-May, weeks will be a minimum of 45 working hours, at least 75% of which will be during normal office hours (9-5:30 Monday-Friday). Salary will be commensurate with experience, but will likely be in the mid-$30,000 range, plus benefits (which include contributions to health insurance, paid vacation and some paid holidays, sick time, and personal days) and appropriate paid travel. Applicants should have experience working with marine mammals, ideally including both large whales and smaller marine mammals, some stranding experience preferred; academic training in biology or a related field necessary, with a M.S. or Ph.D. preferred; good interpersonal and public speaking skills; enthusiasm and flexibility for working as part of a small organization with high aspirations. Applicants should send a cover letter and curriculum vitae, including references and any other related materials, by e-mail to Mason Weinrich, Executive Director, at HYPERLINK "mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]"[EMAIL PROTECTED] You may also e-mail us with any questions related to the position. We will screen the materials and, if appropriate, arrange an interview (preferably in person but by phone, if necessary). We are hoping to fill this position as soon as possible. Mason Weinrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Whale Center of New England www.whalecenter.org No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.5/826 - Release Date: 5/31/2007 4:51 PM ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
[MARMAM] Position Announcement - Assistant Director, Whale Center of New England
The Whale Center of New England is hiring for the position of Assistant Director. The Whale Center is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Gloucester, MA. Incorporated in 1979, our mission is to conduct research on whales and their habitat and to actively engage in marine conservation and education. The Whale Center has long term studies on a variety of marine mammals, including endangered North Atlantic humpback, fin, and right whales, with a long scientific publication history; is the regional stranding respondent for the North Shore of Massachusetts; has seats on a variety of regional committees including the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, the Northeast Implementation Team, and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council; and operates a public Visitor Center in Gloucester, MA. Full details on the organization can be found at www.whalecenter.org. The Assistant Director is responsible for a variety of tasks, including Aiding, creating and supervising organizational research programs (including experimental design, literature review, supervision of data collection and analysis, and publication of results); Coordinating response to reports of live and dead stranded marine mammals on Massachusetts’ North Shore (including training of staff and volunteers; organization, archival, and transfer of stranding data; interacting with town, state, and federal agencies regarding strandings; purchasing and maintaining equipment and supplies; and other duties as deemed necessary); Acting as the captain and chief scientist aboard dedicated research trips (including boat preparation and planning of trip beforehand; assistance in upkeep of research vessel; supervision of behavioral data collection during trip; collection of biopsy and fecal samples; and writing of data sheets after trip); Acting as a part of the organization’s “management team,” which includes an active voice in all aspects of the organization’s operations in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, including oversight of other organizational employees; Maintaining of office computers and computer network; Representing The Whale Center of New England on committees and panels related to whale or marine conservation, education, and research; Acting as an on-board naturalist on commercial whale watching trips, collecting data on such trips, writing data sheets for each trip (including review of photographs for whale identification purposes); Hiring, training, managing whale watch naturalists for 2-3 whale watch companies; Contributing articles to the organization’s quarterly newsletter, "Flukeprints;" Assisting in fund-raising efforts for the organization; Accomplishing other tasks as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors. During summer season (June through September), hours are variable, but generally long. From October-May, weeks will be a minimum of 45 working hours, at least 75% of which will be during normal office hours (9-5:30 Monday-Friday). Salary will be commensurate with experience, but will likely be in the mid-$30,000 range, plus benefits (which include contributions to health insurance, paid vacation and some paid holidays, sick time, and personal days). Applicants should have experience working with marine mammals, ideally including both large whales and smaller marine mammals, some stranding experience preferred; academic training in biology or a related field necessary, with a M.S. or Ph.D. preferred; good interpersonal and public speaking skills; enthusiasm and flexibility for working as part of a small organization with high aspirations. Applicants should send a cover letter and curriculum vitae, including references and any other related materials, by e-mail to Mason Weinrich, Executive Director, at [EMAIL PROTECTED]. You may also e-mail us with any questions related to the position. We will screen the materials and, if appropriate, arrange an interview (preferably in person but by phone, if necessary). We are hoping to fill this position by the end of August, so send applications as soon as possible. Mason Weinrich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Whale Center of New England P.O. Box 159 Gloucester MA 01930 www.whalecenter.org ___ MARMAM mailing list MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
