Ramsar Ecologist (Intern)

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE

The Ramsar Ecologist is responsible for delivering the Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT)’s annual seabird monitoring and reporting programme for Alderney’s internationally important wetland, the Alderney’s West Coast and Burhou Islands Ramsar Site. Additionally, the Ramsar Ecologist assists with other marine and terrestrial surveys where required and delivers weekly guided boat tours within Alderney’s Ramsar site and around the island.

The Alderney Ramsar Site internship is one of the most sought-after such positions in the Channel Islands. Previous incumbents of this position have gone on to take leading roles in marine and seabird conservation across the UK and further afield.

This is a focused work placement designed to help those with previous academic, and/or practical, experience to build up the skills necessary to secure a paid professional position in the future.

The role also places you within a tightly knit team of staff and volunteers with the opportunity to learn and develop skills.

Alderney is one of the most ecologically diverse and dynamic of Britain’s smaller offshore islands, with its own political structures, laws and governance.

DUTIES

• Ecological monitoring within the Ramsar Site. The focus of the Ramsar Ecologist is seabird monitoring, to collect data for the AWT’s Alderney State of Nature (ASoN) project and the Ramsar Programme. This sometimes includes boat-based operations and drone surveys (training and UK qualification provided). In addition, the Ramsar Ecologist supports monthly grey seal surveys and occasional marine surveys.
• Supporting the AWT’s commitment to Alderney’s Ramsar site, including helping to write and deliver the established action plans and annual reports.
• Crewing for the AWT’s boat, including supporting ecological surveys and leading two guided boat tours per week.
• Acting as an ambassador for the Ramsar site and the AWT by working with our Community Engagement Team to help raise environmental awareness through social media posts, publications, TV and radio interviews, and by supporting and leading public events.
• Assisting in other aspects of the operation of the AWT as required.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A self-motivated and focused person wanting to benefit from their time in this role.
• A background in Ecology/ Biology/ Marine Biology, minimum BSc or equivalent, or two years relevant work experience.
• Strong interest in seabird, marine and/or avian ecology.
• Field work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent data management and reporting skills.
• Flexibility, positivity, excellent organisational skills.

DESIRABLE QUALITIES:

• Seabird monitoring experience.
• Boat experience, i.e. a RYA-qualification for Competent Crew/Powerboat 2/Yacht Master or equivalent, STCW I-IV.
• Marine flora and fauna identification skills.
• Marine field work experience.
• Experience in public speaking.
• Physically fit and active as the role regularly involves surveying from cliffs, accessing offshore islands and traversing over rough terrain.
• Full, clean driving licence.

PLACEMENT STRUCTURE

• The role is 35hrs/p.w., however, the hours are flexible.
• Paid work in addition to the role’s core hours, such as ecological surveys, report writing, and guided tours, may be available dependent on the successful candidate’s skills and expressions of interest.
• In-house training and necessary external training will be provided, including for STCW I-IV and A2CofC drone pilot training. The successful candidate will also have access to a personal development allowance to enhance their skills.
• Accommodation provided at the AWT’s Essex Farm Field Centre (inclusive of utilities, a private room, Wi-Fi access, shared kitchen, sitting room and office facilities).
• A stipend to cover cost of living expenses (level of stipend by agreement) intended to reduce or remove personal expenditure during the placement.
• One-month probation period.
• A return flight (based on the cost of an Alderney-UK standard flexible return as of 1st October 2025).