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Educator / Organizer / Administrator

Full time February 15, 2025 – April 30, 2025
Download position description here (Spanish only):
Job description

 

The Whales of Guerrero is searching for an educator/ organizer/ administrator with experience in education, communication, community work and marine mammal science to join our tiny but mighty team of environmental ambassadors.

The ideal team member for the position we are looking for will be a friendly, agile, efficient, dedicated person, with a taste for community work, extensive communication, administration, technological and digital skills; with the vision and openness to perform multiple tasks; from dedicating their time to coordinating a whale welcoming ceremony at the beginning of the season, to serving as a bilingual naturalist on community empowerment projects, to analysis and management of citizen science data contributions, file management or spending time with local kids teaching about marine mammals in a way that is characterized by kindness, trust and openness.

Our candidate ideal for this position will have a demonstrated track record in environmental education, community work, clear understanding of science and a talent for organization, coordination and administration at the many different levels that the project requires and fluency for Spanish and English.

 

Background:

Whales of Guerrero is a non-profit organization located in the state of Guerrero, lying in the peaceful southwestern Mexico, and serves the communities of Barra de Potosí, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and surrounding areas with the mission of connecting people with nature through programs that inspire, empower and motivate.

Founded in 2013, Whales of Guerrero has put Guerrero, Mexico on the map as a whale watching destination through its community-based science, education and community development programs and we are committed to continuing to support the region as a place that prioritizes marine health, wildlife and thriving, connected human communities.


Project goals:

The goals and activities of the Guerrero Whales are determined in partnership with our community and collaborators. In 2023-2024, we will partner with our local and global community to achieve the following:

  • Contribute to a better comprehension of the structure, abundance, distribution and dynamic of the humpbacks whales and others marine mammals that migrate and reside in the region.
  • Foster good relationships and provide tools that allow healthy community development and support our network of trained captains. Raise awareness about best whale watching practices, ecotourism, behavior and biology of humpback whales among boat operators, tour guides, educators, residents and visitors. Support the creation of a community-driven and -led whale monitoring network.
  • Promote educational programs among residents of Guerrero and the surrounding community, at different levels; on local marine megafauna to motivate lasting changes towards a healthy marine ecology.

 

Whales of Guerrero’s goals and activities are determined in partnership with our community and collaborators. In 2025, we will work with our local and global community to:

  • Contribute through scientific studies to a better understanding of the structure, abundance, distribution and dynamics of humpback whales and other marine mammals that migrate and reside in our region during the winter.
  • To foster good relationships and provide tools that allow for the good development of the community and our network of trained and authorized captains. To raise awareness of best practices in whale watching, ecotourism, humpback whale behavior and biology among boat operators, tour guides, educators, residents and visitors. Support the establishment of the Community’s proposed monitoring network and the activities of the Community Monitoring Committee in our area.
  • Promote educational programs about local marine megafauna among the residents of Guerrero and the surrounding community at different levels, in order to motivate sustainable changes towards a healthy marine ecology that will foster people who are more connected to each other and to nature

Activities we will undertake in 2025 to achieve our goals include

  • Seasonal education programmes (field, classroom and online with age groups 6-14).
  • Serving as resident marine mammal experts when needed
  • Facilitating the unification and training of our network of licensed whale-watch guides, who serve as front-line advocates for marine mammal safety and welfare through training and support programmes. Facilitate the development of the proposed Community Watch network.
  • Train community leaders to act as whale advocates.
  • Create a series of events, ceremonies and celebrations of whales and other marine animals to re-signify and support the conservation processes of the species.
  • Directly and indirectly assist in the ongoing support and development of sustainable ecotourism opportunities through training, facilitation, promotion and programmatic offerings.
  • To contribute directly and indirectly to the continuous support of the development of different programmes for the empowerment of the women of Barra de Potosí, at different levels.
  • Support for the creation of a community center in Barra de Potosí, Guerrero.
  • Collecting, organizing, analyzing and reporting opportunistic citizen science data on marine mammals.
  • To publish scientific knowledge about marine mammals in the region.
  • To be a vehicle for the dissemination of information necessary for the care and conservation of humpback whales and marine mammals.
  • To develop a protected resting area for mother-calf pairs of humpback whales through a multi-year participatory land-based survey and communication campaign.
  • Whale-watching best practice campaigns for a variety of audiences, both physical and digital.
  • Contribute to the development of education, outreach and information programmes in collaboration with local government agencies in the region.
  • Project management activities.

    The main programs this position will lead or assist during 2025 are:

Educator. For a safe place for whales: Support the development and implementation of the different education programs. Support the development of education and outreach activities for children and youth through recurrent educational activities, talks, presentations, workshops, etc. (35%).

Massive campaigns. For safe whale watching in our area: Development and dissemination of bilingual safe whale watching awareness materials to a variety of audiences (tourism professionals, non-licensed whale watchers and members of the public (residents and visitors, foreign and domestic) through talks, physical brochures, physical displays, radio, television and social media programming. Reinforcement of messages during and at the end of the season (10%).

Support of ecotourism and community empowerment activities: Support as a bilingual nature interpreter during land and water activities, expeditions and excursions as well as assistance to the different empowerment programs for the women of Barra de Potosí. (10%)

Opportunistic data, technology and field management assistance: Assist in managing opportunistic marine mammal data throughout the year in a database, review and correct data with other team members, and summarize results in an annual report. (10%)

Marine mammal monitoring with citizen science: Logistical support in the Whales of Guerrero science programs. Develop and disseminate a bilingual marine mammal data framework for a variety of audiences (unlicensed and licensed whale watching professionals and in-water guides, residents and visitors) through presentations, announcements, programs and handout materials. (5%)

Development of a volunteer and educational program: Design and planning of a volunteer program for the 2025-2026 season to cover the different areas of the project. Development of programs for social services and internships. (5%)

Assistance in the operational needs of the project. Assistance and support in the development of activities related to the daily life of the project. (5%)

Support for additional projects, social networking and additional communication needs and team members as needed

 

Requirements:

The ideal applicant will demonstrate verifiable experience in environmental education, scientific environment, genuine talent and appreciation for community organization, coordination and management with facility to connect with nature and society.

  • Strong preference for national (Mexican) candidates. Foreign applicants fluent in Spanish with a history of working in Mexico and a long-term commitment to the region will be considered.
  • Minimum age at the time of application: 27 years old.
  • Bilingual (Spanish / English). (Spanish: 100%; English: 80%)
  • Background related to Education / Environmental Education / Communication / Scientific field.
  • Enjoy interacting and communicating with a variety of audiences and personalities ranging from children to members of underserved rural communities, government officials, project supporters and ecotourists.
  • Ability to design and plan substantive programs within the framework of project objectives.
  • Broad capacity with educational/outreach work with people of different ages. From infants to older adults.
  • Facility in data collection, entry and analysis as well as database maintenance.
  • Detail oriented, team player and ability to work individually with responsibilities within the project.
  • Problem solving oriented.
  • English and Spanish fluency
  • Strong technology skills (Comfortable in learning new software, programs and technical protocols. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite is required. Desirable: Graphic design skills and Adobe Creative Cloud)
  • Facility in creating and maintaining organizational systems.
  • Flexible, honest and human.
  • Independent and self-motivated.
  • Facility in public speaking, writing and real-time/asynchronous translation.
  • Positive attitudes
  • With facility to be a team player in the project. Willingness to travel to different locations.
  • Love whales, dolphins and marine life in general as well as community experiences in our area.

Terms of Position:

This is a full-time, contract specific position extending from February 15, 2025, through April 30, 2025. Continuity will be determined by project possibilities and anticipated work experience.

The schedule will be ~ 48 hours / week in February and March.  ~ 40 hours / week in April. One day off per week is provided between February and March and a minimum of two days off in April.

Pay will be commensurate with the skills and experience of the selected candidate and includes 3 days of paid time off during April, upon request and approval of the Project Director.

This position reports directly to the Project Director and works closely with 2-3 other full-time team members, 10 volunteers and an extended network of over 200 people.

To apply:

Interested candidates please send a cover letter outlining your relevant experience, professional goals and reason for your interest in working with Whales of Guerrero along with your Curriculum Vitae and two free references addressed to: Enrique De Luna: enrique@whalesinmexico.com with the subject: “Application for BdG position, ‘Applicant’s full name’. Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered.

We will accept applications for this position until 23:59 hrs on January 30, 2025, local Zihuatanejo time. To know more about Whales of Guerrero, please visit:

Website: whalesinmexico.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/whalesinmexico

Instagram: @whalesofguerrero