Conservation and Biodiversity Field Staff in the Peruvian Amazon Long-term contract (min 6 months) after suitable, paid trial period (2 months). The project is located on the Alto Madre de Dios River in South-East Peru about 9 hours from Cusco. The project focuses on rainforest conservation and community development. We are looking for a new staff member who can join the team in the field and assist with the conservation field research on a biodiversity and community project in the Peruvian Amazon. Current biological projects include monitoring of mammal (e.g. Tapir, Jaguar, Puma, Peccary, Ocelot, etc), amphibian and reptile, butterfly, and bird communities, monitoring of a parrot clay lick (specifically the threatened Blue-headed Macaw) and monitoring of forest biomass and structure. The responsibilities of this position include the execution of the conservation and biodiversity projects and developing good relations with all surrounding local communities, along with efficiently running the operations of the research program – from collecting data, entering data into the computer, scheduling surveys each week for staff and volunteers and excellent communication primarily to the Scientific Coordinator and to the Manu Learning Centre Field Manager. Staff are required to provide assistance in continuous volunteer management and training, with a sound basis in crees’ Health and Safety regulations and project protocols. Good organizational and time management skills are essential. $350 USD per month - first 6 months (increase to $400 USD/month following a successful initial 6 month work period) Organisation The crees foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation working to bring economic, social and environmental harmony to the Manu region. We develop our research, projects and initiatives from our Manu Learning Centre (MLC) situated along the river Madre de Dios in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Aside from being in an incredibly beautiful and fascinating Biosphere rich in diversity, the MLC enables us to experience, share and investigate first-hand the changes and problems being caused by the increasing destruction of the Amazonian rainforests. The MLC hosts an array of diverse research projects thanks to its own unique diversity and history within the region. Based within a private reserve the centre has access to different forest types, mammal and avian clay licks, canopy trees and old agricultural plots. The MLC works as an excellent base to set up monitoring programmes and transect studies, mammal camera trapping, mist netting and vegetation surveys. We also encourage and facilitate work in the local communities and indigenous settlements. Through crees volunteer we invite volunteers to work on our conservation research, sustainable development projects and to experience the wonder of Manu and sustainable tourism in action, spreading our message throughout the world and inviting the support the region so urgently needs. The volunteering experience is an essential component in allowing crees to successfully conduct and meet requirements in terms of conservation research and community support. Through supervising and training volunteers we provide an amazing experience to people around the globe whom can spread the word of crees and its ethos. Responsibilities Rigorous project management, including developing scientific protocols for projects, data collection/management and report writing. Assisting in the execution of a comprehensive biodiversity study (including animals and plants) and monitoring plan, in support of a local reserve. Assist the Scientific Coordinator in the support of local partners as well as local, national and international collaborators. Help plan and execute community projects (e.g. workshops related to our conservation research, sustainable tourism and human-wildlife conflict issues). Provide leadership and logistical support to the field centre and science program managers in the day-to-day execution of the program. Assist in the training and management of crees’ Conservation Interns. Volunteer management. Provide leadership, training and program development in tropical sciences, conservation and field survey techniques to up to 14 untrained volunteers. Maintaining high Health and Safety standards Qualifications and skills required Good people management and communication skills. Excellent data management capabilities (proficiency in Excel). BSc or MSc in one of the following fields: botany, medicinal plants, wildlife biology, zoology, ecology, entomology, herpetology, conservation, forestry, or other relevant scientific discipline. Demonstrated field study experience (tropical rainforest experience is preferred). Ability to work as part of a team and with minimal supervision. Ability to provide leadership and constant management for groups of up to 20 people. Willingness & ability to accept basic communal living with very long hours in hot & humid wet conditions. Willingness & ability to live for 3 months at a time in a remote rainforest environment, with limited communications Basic - Intermediate fluency in Spanish Passionate about wildlife/conservation and knowledgeable about current environmental issues. Qualifications and skills desired Current First Aid qualification Working knowledge of one or several animal groups Experience mist-netting and handling birds and/or bats Amphibian experience Experience mentoring students BTEC experience - teaching/marking Emergency First Aid (EFR) Instructor qualification International volunteer experience Proficiency in statistical and GIS ArcView packages Further details For full details of The crees Foundation please see the website http://www.crees -foundation.org/. Conditions Long term contract is subject to a successful 8-week paid trial period in country. Personal medical insurance, including air evacuation and repatriation, is required. Flights to and from Cusco, Peru and insurance are to be covered by Field Staff and not by crees (Food when based in Cusco must be self- funded). All transport from Cusco to and from the Manu Learning Centre and accommodation & food whilst at the Manu Learning Centre will be covered by The crees Foundation. Included Food & accommodation while working at the field base and transport between Cusco and the Manu Learning Centre, plus $350 USD/month stipend provided. Salary review based on performance over time (increase to $400 USD/month following a successful initial 6 month work period). Keywords: ecology