BC Whales 2025 Research Assistant (unpaid internship, volunteer opportunity)

The North Coast Cetacean Society (BC Whales) is a non-profit, charitable whale-research organization that has dedicated more than 20 years towards research, education, and the protection of cetaceans along the north and central coasts of British Columbia (BC). Our objective is to better understand the seasonal distribution, abundance, social dynamics, and threats currently faced by cetacean species at risk through interdisciplinary and specialized research projects focusing on visual and acoustic data collection, and in collaboration with coastal First Nations communities. For more information, please visit our website at bcwhales.org

The Role:

We are looking to hire 1 – 2 volunteers to join us in the field at a very remote land-based whale research station. During this placement interns and volunteers will receive project-specific training and will contribute to valuable data collection and the ongoing monitoring of the frequency, movements, and behaviours of whales and vessels in our research area. Specific duties will include hourly visual surveys, photo-identification, hydrophone monitoring, data entry, and the potential to assist on marine surveys. We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about marine conservation, have a love for the outdoors, and are extremely comfortable in incredibly remote back-country locations and in all weather conditions.

Requirements:

• All applicants MUST be available to commit to at least one of the following placements:

June – August 2025

August – October 2025

• Ability to respectfully live and tent in close quarters in a communal setting in an extremely remote environment with up to 4 other people on an otherwise uninhabited island (no roads, no stores, no flushing toilets, no hot running water, no facilities external to the research cabin and tent platforms). Please only apply if you feel you would thrive with the true remoteness of the environment
• Strong observational skills, note taking abilities, and careful attention to detail
• Proficiency using Microsoft Excel, Word, and Powerpoint
• Ability to follow pre-determined procedures and methods for data collection
• Ability to carry heavy loads up a rugged shoreline
• Comfortable on open vessels in all weather conditions, and comfortable in a remote wilderness setting in all weather conditions

Assets:

• Experience with living in remote backcountry settings
• Knowledge of marine mammal species local to British Columbian waters
• Experience with educational and/or conservation-directed social media content creation

Certifications (assets; not required to apply or to have success in this position):

• Marine Radio Operator (ROC-M)
• Marine Emergency Duties (MED-A3/SDV-BS)
• Active First Aid certification (Wilderness & Remote First Aid preferred)
• Interest in or active pursuit of a post-graduate degree in a related field