Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Refuge: Polar Bear Conservation

Project NamePolar Bear Conservation
Project Number320
LocationKaktovik
DatesSept. 20-Oct. 11, 2016 (tentative)
Duration3 to 6 weeks
Number of Volunteers Needed1
DescriptionPosition Description: Arctic Refuge is seeking a highly qualified Friends of Alaska Refuges volunteer with significant field-based experience in communicating sustainable wildlife viewing practices, supervising/mentoring Alaska Native teens, and conducting boat-based monitoring of recreation activities in harsh weather conditions. The volunteer selected for this project will: • Be able to offer a firm commitment of 3-6 weeks between early September and mid-October (duration dependent on applicant availability). • Be housed at the Arctic Refuge Bunkhouse in Kaktovik and share modest sleeping quarters and meal preparation in a communal setting. (Costs for a round trip flight from Fairbanks to Kaktovik and meals will be covered by the Fish and Wildlife Service.) • Work alongside Refuge staff in the rural community of Kaktovik during the annual fall open-water period when polar bears congregate in large numbers near the village. The volunteer’s primary duties will include: 1) Delivering both formal and informal environmental conservation messages to overnight and day trip visitors coming to the village of Kaktovik to view polar bears (Formal presentations will be offered in local community venues and the Arctic Refuge bunkhouse; informal interpretation may occur spontaneously among both visitors and residents, and may include topics such as why and how the FWS manages recreational wildlife viewing opportunities.); 2) Serving an active role in supporting the Kaktovik Youth Ambassador ( a youth program that provides visitors with important local community perspectives about safely viewing bears and respectfully visiting the Village of Kaktovik); and 3) Participating in a boat-based monitoring effort of Arctic Refuge’s permitted bear viewing program. The volunteer selected for this project must be able to demonstrate successful completion of USFWS Bear Awareness training, including the Use of Less Lethal Deterrents component; as well as ,First Aid/CPR AED certification. Additional trainings that are preferred but not necessary include: Firearms Safety with Range Qualification, Motorboat Operator’s Certification (MOCC) and Wilderness First Responder certification. Qualified candidates should demonstrate advanced experience and interest in: • educating diverse audiences of varying backgrounds about bear safety, bear biology, human/bear conflict management and ethical wildlife viewing/photography; • supervising, mentoring, or working alongside teens, helping them to cultivate personal goals and motivating them to achieve self-devised performance standards; and • working outside for long hours in vehicles and small boats exposed to cold, wind, waves, and blowing snow. Additional highly desirable skills/experience qualified candidates should demonstrate include: • Living/working in rural, indigenous, subsistence-based communities. • Conducting cross-cultural communications with non-English-speaking groups. • Working in close proximity to large congregations of bears. • Applying advanced communication skills in varied, complex, settings (such as finding common priorities across groups for collaborative problem solving; and de-escalating conflicts across user groups). • Working among diverse groups of people with varying viewpoints on wildlife management. • Observing, understanding and documenting bear behaviors. • Enduring long hours of outdoor work observing and recording in harsh conditions. To learn more about this opportunity, contact Jason Oles, Visitor Services Specialist, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, at 907-456-0501. If you are interested in applying for this unique, demanding volunteer work opportunity, please provide Jason a summary of your qualifications to no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Skills NeededUSFWS Bear Awareness training, including the Use of Less Lethal Deterrents component; as well as ,First Aid/CPR AED certification. Additional trainings that are preferred but not necessary include: Firearms Safety with Range Qualification, Motorboat Operator’s Certification (MOCC) and Wilderness First Responder certification. Qualified candidates should demonstrate advanced experience and interest in: • educating diverse audiences of varying backgrounds about bear safety, bear biology, human/bear conflict management and ethical wildlife viewing/photography; • supervising, mentoring, or working alongside teens, helping them to cultivate personal goals and motivating them to achieve self-devised performance standards; and • working outside for long hours in vehicles and small boats exposed to cold, wind, waves, and blowing snow. Additional highly desirable skills/experience qualified candidates should demonstrate include: • Living/working in rural, indigenous, subsistence-based communities. • Conducting cross-cultural communications with non-English-speaking groups. • Working in close proximity to large congregations of bears. • Applying advanced communication skills in varied, complex, settings (such as finding common priorities across groups for collaborative problem solving; and de-escalating conflicts across user groups). • Working among diverse groups of people with varying viewpoints on wildlife management. • Observing, understanding and documenting bear behaviors. • Enduring long hours of outdoor work observing and recording in harsh conditions.
Education TopicsSee above
Audience Ageall ages
Materials NeededProvided by refuge
Contact jason_oles@fws.gov or snail mail to Arctic Refuge, 101 12th Avenue, Room 236, Fairbanks, AK, 99701.