Roseate Tern Research Assistants, Job Vacancy Ireland

Project Title Roseate Tern Protection Scheme

Job Title Tern research assistants/wardens in 2009

Duration of contract 4 months

Location Rockabill Island, Co. Dublin

Likely Start Date early May 2009

Interviews to be held mid February 2009

Objective

To protect, monitor and study breeding terns, principally the Roseate Tern population, during the

breeding season on Rockabill Island, a small rocky lighthouse island 7 km off north Co. Dublin. This is a joint project between BirdWatch Ireland, the National Parks & Wildlife Service and the RSPB.

Key Responsibilities

1. The protection and safe-guarding of breeding Roseate, Common and Arctic Terns, giving them every opportunity to have a successful season, by the following methods: a) habitat management, b)

provision of nest boxes/chick shelters, c) control of gulls as appropriate, d) prevention of disturbance to

terns, e) manage supervised visiting to the island.

2. The monitoring of the breeding biology of both Roseate and Common Terns by the following methods: a) assessing the size of the breeding colonies and their reproductive success, b) ringing of tern pulli, under supervision, with BTO and special rings (Roseate only). c) undertaking ring reading of adult Roseate and Common Terns using telescopes, d) monitoring nest box usage, e) biometric

measurements of Roseate and Common pulli, f) monitoring the feeding ecology of Roseate and

Common Terns, g) some work on Arctic Terns, Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots.

3. Meeting general requirements of the project such as: a) co-operation with the requirements of the

Commissioners of Irish Lights, who own the facilities on Rockabill, b) meeting appropriate health and

safety requirements, particularly in relation to safety at sea, c) submission of a full report at the end of

the season, d) assisting with the implementation of the Refuge for Fauna regulations which apply on

Rockabill.

Requirements

Wardening experience and biological qualifications, preferably with some experience of bird ringing (a

BTO licence would be highly beneficial), or a willingness to learn how to handle seabird chicks.

Applicants must be capable of getting on and working well with the other warden in an isolated location and be demonstrably self-motivated in order to complete the programme of work. This includes handling large volumes of data (e.g. nest histories, ringing schedules) on a lap-top computer.

Conditions: Basic salary of about €400 per 42-hour week, accommodation provided (in one of the lighthouse

cottages). Leave will be granted at 20 days/year pro-rata. A willingness to work unsociable hours is

essential. This will include weekends and you can expect to be on the island for up to a month at a time. Communications in the form of a mobile phone and a VHF radio (provided) and e-mail ought to be available with an allowance for personal use.

P.O. Box 12, Greystones

Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Tel: 353 (0)1 2819878 Fax: 353 (0)1 2810997

E-mail: info@birdwatchireland.ie