Sea Turtle Conservation Intern

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is looking for a passionate and dedicated individual, who is willing to gain experience from an unpaid internship position in practical conservation work and volunteer management, at our island-based project, off the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. 

You will be living on the job site - eating, sleeping and working in our jungle camp with our team of volunteers and project staff.  Your main role will be to become a fully integrated team member and assist the camp staff with whatever aspects they require, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Patrolling Beaches at night for nesting turtles
• Taking morphometric data from nesting turtle mothers
• Tagging turtles using metal tags and taking photographs of turtle facial scutes
• Monitoring turtle nests and recording egg/hatchling data
• Training volunteers in all the aspects mentioned above 
• Taking volunteers on leisure excursions (jungle trekking, snorkelling, kayaking)
• Ensuring the smooth running of the camp, assisting volunteers and making sure all camp chores are carried out daily
• Liaising with the resort staff and management on the island
• Giving informative talks to resort guests about sea turtles, conservation and the organisation
• Helping with our recycling programme and coordinating school visits 
• Updating our Social Media pages

In 2019 we will also be continuing with the coral reef research we began in 2018, exploring the possibilities for coral restoration in monsoon prone areas. There may be the possibility for applicants with a suitable diving qualification to be involved in this work including activities such as coral reef surveys and maintenance of our coral nursery. 

Please note that you will not be solely responsible for these tasks, we have a number of permanent staff members based on Lang Tengah. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a small organisation that is growing rapidly.  This means that your work has a real impact of the success of the project and you will also be able to contribute in shaping the future of the project.

Ideally, you should be fit enough to undertake daily leisure activities and must be:

• Holding - or be in the process of acquiring - a related bachelors degree, or higher.
• Outgoing: this is one of the most important elements, as you will representing the organisation to volunteers, resort staff and tourists on a daily basis
• Organised
• Culturally sensitive
• A confident swimmer, able to take groups of volunteers out snorkelling
• Physically fit, and able to work long hours 
• Well acquainted with the rigours of outdoor living
• Flexible:  our daily routine can alter depending on multiple factors and being able to adapt to this is essential
• Fluent in English

The following criteria are also desirable for potential applicants:

• Have practical conservation experience (preferably in a remote environment)
• Certified in Emergency First Aid Response or equivalent
• Able to duck dive to 10 meters and hold your breath for 45 seconds
• Advanced Open Water Diver 

Conditions on camp are basic, so you need to be comfortable with living in this environment for the duration of your stay - we aim to give you a night off once a week and a few days off the island in the middle of your stay. 

We are offering an 8 week internship from late June until late August. Please enquire for exact dates. 

This is an unpaid internship position. However, Lang Tengah Turtle Watch will cover your in-country road based travel costs, food and accommodation whilst on the project. Travel to and from Malaysia is at the expense of the intern.  

If you feel you’re the right person to be part of our young, passionate and dynamic team of conservationists, please do send through a Cover Letter, copy of your C.V., and details of two referees to Project Coordinator, Bella: bella@langtengahturtlewatch.org. The deadline for applications is the 4th of April. 

To find out more about the project, please look at our website, Facebook page, or contact us: 

WEB: www.langtengahturtlewatch.org

FACEBOOK: Lang Tengah Turtle Watch

EMAIL: bella@langtengahturtlewatch.org