CAREERS with manta trust
Please check back throughout the year, as new opportunities will be advertised here as and when they become available. You may submit a covering letter and CV to express interest via volunteer@mantatrust.org. We will keep your details on record, but it is highly recommend that you re-submit them if a new vacancy becomes available that you would like to be considered for.
OPEN POSITIONS
We currently have no voluntary or paid positions available. For marine conservation opportunities we recommend you visit WiseOceans and sign up to their weekly job alert email.
ANNUAL Internships & Volunteering
Every year we offer internships with the Maldivian Manta Ray Project, as well as advertise summer volunteer positions for the Mexican Caribbean Manta Project.
Currently we are not accepting applications for these projects, however we normally open the application window between December - January each year. Please check back here and on our social media channels for updates on when to apply for these positions. In the mean time, please see below for more information about what is involved in volunteering with these two projects.
INTERNSHIP - MALDIVIAN MANTA RAY PROJECT
For three months, you will be involved in collecting vital data on the world’s largest-known population of reef manta rays, working and learning from researchers running one of the best-known manta research projects. The position will give you first-hand experience of working as a manta scientist; operating from our dedicated research vessel, interns will cruise the atoll in search of mantas, and potential new aggregation sites. All data collected will contribute to the database we have built up for over a decade and will be used to inform both local communities and government officials to ensure protective measures are met for the successful conservation of manta rays and other megafauna.
Requirements:
· Applicants must be able to commit to one of two 3-month periods (1st June – 31st August, or 1st September – 30th November). Applicants that are flexible and able to commit to either period will be preferred.
· Due to visa requirements, applicants must have successfully completed a BSc degree in Marine Biology/ Environmental Conservation, or a related field, and be able to provide academic certificates and transcripts.
· Minimum PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (SSI/BSAC equivalent). Please give details of diving experience and number of dives logged. Whilst diving is not a common activity for an intern, applicants without this diving qualification will NOT be considered.
· Excellent swimming/snorkelling skills. A demonstrated ability to comfortably free-dive to at least 5m. You will spend a lot of time snorkelling down beneath manta rays to get photos of their ID spot patterns.
· Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 3+ hours a day, 6 days a week swimming in the ocean. Mantas love to be uncooperative, and when conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding.
· A strong interest in manta rays, conservation and marine/environmental research.
· Computer literate and comfortable working long hours at a desk. After a long day at sea, interns will be expected to spend 3 hours+ in the afternoon/evenings processing ID photo data in the office with the other researchers.
· Fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages desirable).
· Excellent guest relation and communication skills. Comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations.
· A friendly, outgoing personality.
· The ability to live and work as part of a small team in a multi-national, small & remote island resort environment, in an Islamic country in the tropics.
Inclusions & Exclusions:
· All food, shared accommodation and internal flight transfers will be covered.
· The position is voluntary and thus NOT paid – you must bring your own ‘pocket money’.
· International flight expenses to/from Malé International Airport must be borne by the intern
Equipment Requirements:
· Personal Laptop with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom)
· Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space)
· Camera equipment (incl. underwater housing and SD cards)
This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try your best to stand out! It should also be highlighted that completion of this internship may present the opportunity to work with the Manta Trust in the future. This will be based primarily on good performance during the internship period, demonstrating a passion for marine conservation and a willingness to advance your dive qualifications to professional level (minimum of Divemaster required for staff positions).