Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Staff Development and Volunteer Opportunities Threatened species monitoring and management 2018/19 ...
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Department of Conservation
Chatham Islands Staff Development and Volunteer Opportunities
Threatened species monitoring and management - 2018/19
The Chatham Islands District Office is offering opportunities for Department of Conservation
employees and volunteers to participate in the 2018/19 threatened species programmes in
the Chatham Islands on the islands of Mangere or Rangatira (South East Island). This is a
chance to work with some of New Zealand’s rarest and endemic threatened flora and fauna
in a spectacular oceanic environment.
The threatened species fauna programmes include work on New Zealand shore plover,
Chatham petrel, black robin, Forbes’ parakeet and other forest birds.
Flora work across these four islands involves weed control, seed collection, track clearance
and other flora related work.
Volunteers will also assist with biosecurity tasks and maintenance of island facilities.
Skills Development:
Skills that will be developed through this opportunity include first hand experience in
threatened fauna species monitoring and management techniques. Development
opportunities are practical in nature, but relevant to staff involved in delivery, project
management and support roles for threatened species programmes in the Department.
This programme is targeted at Department of Conservation staff and volunteers with some
existing skills in the appropriate area with the intention of further developing these skills.
It is not a baseline training opportunity. It also offers a chance for skilled staff considering a
permanent position with the Chatham Islands Office to see a sample of the work carried out
in this unique and wild environment. Details of the experience and skills required are
stipulated under each trip description.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the appropriate skills necessary to carry out the work required as
described in the trip brief. Applicants who proceed to the interview stage will also be
required to submit a medical questionnaire to DOC-appointed medical professional. Please
note that priority is given to New Zealand citizens and residents.
Work Conditions:
A DOC team leader will supervise participants. The work environment is isolated, and the
terrain is rugged. At times participants will be required to work in wet and cold weather,
over steep, muddy and rocky terrain. Living quarters are confined and you will be sharing
bunk rooms. It is vital that team members are adaptable and comfortable in close living
proximity to others.
It is important to note that transport to the outer islands is via chartered fishing vessel and is
therefore highly weather dependant. Expect travel plans to be altered or delayed by a few
days. Dates given below therefore may vary. Flights on and off main Chatham to NZ can also
be subject to delays. When booking internal NZ flights to departure and arrival airports,
insurance cover and/or flexible tickets should be considered.
Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 1Trip Overview:
Five development/volunteer trips are planned this season. Trip duration varies between 2
to 5 weeks. Dates given for the trips are the expected flight dates to and from the Chatham’s
and will vary depending on whether participants are arriving from Wellington (Monday,
Wednesday and Friday flights), Christchurch (Tuesday flights) or Auckland (Thursday with
Saturday flights during the summer only).
Summary of opportunities
Trip Island/s Focus No of Staff Dates – inclusive of travel
development/
No. volunteer dates from NZ (based on
positions Monday and Friday flights to and
from Wellington)
1 Mangere Black robin census, 4 28th Sept – 12th Oct 2018
forest bird transects,
Forbes’ parakeet
distance sampling, shore
plover census
2 Rangatira Black robin census, 3-4 15th Oct – 12th Nov 2018
Chatham petrel burrow
opening, shore plover
census
3 Rangatira Shore plover banding & 3 28th Jan – 13th Feb 2019
census; Chatham petrel
monitoring
4 Mangere Black robin census & 2 22nd Feb – 11th March 2019
banding (plus weed
control and seed
collection)
5 Rangatira Black robin census & 4 13th March – 17th April
banding, Chatham petrel 2019
monitoring and banding,
seed collection
Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 2Trip details Dates inclusive of travel to and from Chathams Trip 1: 28th Sept – 12th Oct 2017 (2 weeks) Mangere: Black robin census Forest bird transects Forbes’ parakeet distance sampling Shore plover census. Team composition (4): 1 Chatham Island Biodiversity Ranger/Team Leader, plus 4 Development Staff/Volunteers Skills required: competence in forest bird survey work, reading colour bands, using GPS. For two of the positions experience with bird transects will be essential. Trip 2: 15th Oct – 12th Nov 2018 (4 weeks) Rangatira: Black robin census Chatham petrel burrow opening Shore plover census Biosecurity monitoring will also be carried out. Team composition (3-4): 1 Chatham Island Biodiversity Ranger/Team Leader, plus 3-4 Staff Development /Volunteers Skills required: competence in forest bird survey work, reading colour bands, using GPS. Trip 3: 28th Jan – 13th Feb 2019 (2 ½ weeks) Rangatira: Shore plover census and banding Chatham petrel monitoring and banding Bait station maintenance will also be carried out. Weed control may be carried out. Team composition (4): 1 Chatham Island Biodiversity Rangers/Team Leader, plus 3 Staff Development /Volunteers Skills required: For two of the positions L2 certification in banding seabirds is essential. For the third position wader handling skills are required. Trip 4: 22nd Feb – 11th March 2019 (2 ½ weeks) Mangere: Black robin census & banding Seed collection Bait station maintenance will also be carried out. Team composition (4): 1 Chatham Island Biodiversity Ranger/Team Leader plus 2 staff development/volunteers Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 3
Skills required: competence in forest bird survey work, reading colour bands, using GPS. L2
bird bander (passerines) an advantage.
Trip 5: 13th March – 17th April 2019 (5 weeks)
Rangatira:
Black robin census & banding
Chatham petrel monitoring
Team composition (4): 1 Chatham Island Biodiversity Rangers/Team Leader plus 4 staff
development/volunteers
Skills required: competence in forest bird survey work, reading colour bands, using GPS. L2
bird bander (passerines) essential for two of the positions.
Essential Skills:
In additional to the technical skills mentioned above, the participants should exhibit the
following:
accurate recording skills,
a moderate to high standard of fitness,
a current first aid certificate
an ability to work in all weathers
bush navigation skills
a high level of motivation
an ability to work and live in a close team situation
an ability to work independently in an isolated environment.
Additional Skills:
Radio communication skills, island work experience, practical field and maintenance skills
(e.g. basic carpentry/ electrical).
Costs and Employment Conditions:
Chatham Island Office will cover the cost of air travel to and from the Chatham Islands from
Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch and will provide food and accommodation while in the
Chatham’s.
Staff Development - The source region is expected to cover salary/wages and the travel
costs associated with transferring staff to and from the transfer points (Wellington,
Christchurch, and Auckland). Please ensure you have discussed this with your Manager when
seeking approval.
Generally a six-day working week (8-10 hour day) is adopted with a requirement to take one
day off per week while on an outlying islands. The Chatham Island Office cannot cover any
TOIL or allowances. Claims for such entitlements must be negotiated directly with the
participant’s Manager.
Volunteers – The Chatham Islands Office will only cover the cost of air travel to and from the
Chatham’s transfer points (Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland), plus food and
accommodation costs on the Chatham Islands for the duration of your volunteer work. Work
Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 4hours will be the same as for Departmental staff, i.e. a 6 day working week, 8-10 hours per day. Scheduling: Operational requirements and weather may shorten or extend trip duration. This is an unavoidable feature of work in the Chatham’s. Every attempt will be made to minimise the impact of these changes on participants and their travel arrangements. Nomination: See attachments for application forms and the Programme Brief For DOC employees, please note that Manager approval is required. On the application form please indicate a first and second preference. Applications will be ranked on suitability for first choices. Second choices will only be considered should there be a lack of suitable first choice applicants for that trip. There are a limited number of places and a wait-list system will operate. Selection is based on the following criteria: All candidates must be current New Zealand Citizens and New Zealand Residents and have the appropriate skills. Please also give at least one referee. All applications are to be received by Friday 10th of August 2018. Confirmations for trips 1 and 2 will be by late August and all other trips by the mid-September. Flights to the Chathams will be arranged by the Chatham Islands Office. Completed forms should be sent by email or post to Administration, Department of Conservation, to be received by 10th August 2018. Chathams Area Office PO Box 114 Waitangi Chatham Islands Phone: (03) 305 0098 Fax: (03) 305 0376 Email: chathamislands@doc.govt.nz Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 5
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