Sea Turtle Conservation Intern

Research Assistant Intern

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is looking for a passionate and engaging individual who is willing to gain experience from an unpaid internship position in practical conservation work at their mainland project, based at the prestigious Tanjong Jara Resort on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This project provides plenty of opportunity for hands on conservation work while learning more about public outreach and engagement.

LTTW operates a Visitors’ Hut and multiple hatcheries in collaboration with the resort. Your main role will be becoming an integral part of our team, assisting our on-site staff members with whatever aspects they require, which may involve any of the following:

• Relocating sea turtle nests into our hatcheries.
• Carrying out nest checks, hatchling releases and post hatch inspections.
• Inputting data gathered during nest relocations, nest checks and post hatch inspections.
• Giving informative briefings to guests during these activities.
• Being based at our Visitors’ Hut and being on hand to chat with resort guests and answer any questions.
• Helping with our nest adoption programme: contacting local tender holders to purchase eggs otherwise being sold to the marketplace; signing up guests to the nest adoption programme; gathering photographs and sending out the nest adoption updates to the adoptees.
• Ensuring the hatchery, visitors’ hut and our accommodation are kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Liaising with Tanjong Jara Resort staff to inform them about hatchling releases, nest inspections etc.
• Helping to coordinate and carry out beach cleanups and outreach programmes involving local schools.
• Updating our social media pages.

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 on the success of the project and you will also be able to contribute to shaping the future of the project. In 2019 we were able to save over 16,000 eggs, which would have otherwise been sold to the market for human consumption. All of these nests were relocated into the safety of our hatcheries where they were monitored until their release.

For this role, you will be sent to Lang Tengah for a week of training at our jungle camp before you come to Tanjong Jara, where you will learn about sea turtle, biology, ecology and conservation. As TJR is a 5-star resort (http://www.tanjongjararesort.com) we aim to maintain a high quality of operations and therefore want you to be able to answer any questions that may be directed your way without hesitation.

To be considered for the position you must be:

• Outgoing - this is one of the most important elements, as you will representing the organisation on a daily basis while liaising with resort staff and guests
• Organised
• Culturally sensitive
• Happy working and living as part of a small team
• Be well informed on wildlife conservation, biology and ecology as a whole
• Holding - or be in the process of acquiring - a related bachelors degree, or higher.
• Fluent in English

We are offering 10-week internships for the following dates:

29^th March – 7^th June

12^th April – 21st June

10^th May – 19^th July

While this is an unpaid position, Lang Tengah Turtle Watch will cover your in-country travel costs, food and accommodation whilst on the project. You will be living in the staff quarters of the resort in our own private building, along with up to four other interns. 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 send through a copy of your C.V., a covering letter stating which time-slot you are applying for and details of two referees to our Project Co-ordinator, Bella: bella@langtengahturtlewatch.org

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