Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Staff Development and Volunteer Opportunities Threatened species monitoring and management /19

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1 Department of Conservation Chatham Islands Staff Development and Volunteer Opportunities Threatened species monitoring and management /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 1

2 Trip 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 No. Island/s Focus No of Staff development/ volunteer positions Dates inclusive of travel dates from NZ (based on Monday and Friday flights to and from Wellington) 1 Mangere Black robin census, forest bird transects, Forbes parakeet distance sampling, shore plover census 2 Rangatira Black robin census, Chatham petrel burrow opening, shore plover census 3 Rangatira Shore plover banding & census; Chatham petrel monitoring 4 Mangere Black robin census & banding (plus weed control and seed collection) 5 Rangatira Black robin census & banding, Chatham petrel monitoring and banding, seed collection 4 28 th Sept 12 th Oct th Oct 12 th Nov th Jan 13 th Feb nd Feb 11 th March th March 17 th April 2019 Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 2

3 Trip details Dates inclusive of travel to and from Chathams Trip 1: 28 th Sept 12 th 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: 15 th Oct 12 th Nov 2018 (4 weeks) 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: 28 th Jan 13 th Feb 2019 (2 ½ weeks) 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: 22 nd Feb 11 th 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

4 Skills required: competence in forest bird survey work, reading colour bands, using GPS. L2 bird bander (passerines) an advantage. Trip 5: 13 th March 17 th April 2019 (5 weeks) 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 4

5 hours 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 10 th of August 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 or post to Administration, Department of Conservation, to be received by 10 th August Chathams Area Office PO Box 114 Waitangi Chatham Islands Phone: (03) Fax: (03) chathamislands@doc.govt.nz Chatham Islands Staff development and volunteer opportunities 2018/19 5