Habitat Surveyor

~ Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is a conservation research organisation that is funded by, and relies on, teams of student volunteers who join expeditions for the opportunity to work on real-world research programmes alongside academic researchers. ~

Most science programmes abroad that deliver research outcomes are funded on a short-term basis by grants with typically tightly restricted aims. Long-term projects covering large bio-geographical scales that can incorporate more than one ecosystem are rare. By adopting a volunteer funded model, Opwall does not suffer from those restrictions and can draw upon researchers from a wide range of different disciplines and academic institutions, and create long-term research projects.

Those researchers and academics also separate Opwall from other volunteer organisations, allowing a truly research orientated project. You can also find out more about peoples experiences and our projects at the Opwall Blog.

Position Overview

• We are currently recruiting Habitat Surveyors to work at our research sites in various locations.
• We have vacancies available for between 4-8 weeks within the months of June and early August.
• Possible locations include: Indonesia, Mexico and Honduras.
• Information on all our sites is available on our website.

Responsibilities

• The position will involve working with both 16 – 18 year old school students and undergraduate university students in the field to explain survey methodologies and undertake carbon storage data collection as part of a large scale long term monitoring programme.
• Carbon data collection includes measuring DBH of trees, canopy height, quantity of vegetation at different heights using a touch pole, light penetration using a canopy scope, sapling density and quantifying level of disturbance.

Qualifications

• Applicants should have experience of working in the field, good communication and organizational skills and preferably a biological background.

Compensation

• In return, successful applicants receive full accommodation and food onsite, current and future research opportunities, networking and skills development, flight bursaries for more experienced candidates, and of course the opportunity to contribute towards long-term conservation efforts.