THE ORGANIZATION AT A GLANCE

The Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN) is responsible for organizing, coordinating and implementing measures aimed at reducing accidental mortality of marine mammals, rescuing animals in difficulty, and facilitating the acquisition of data from animals in the waters of the St. Lawrence.

Marine Mammal Emergencies (UMM) is the QMMERN’s centre of operations. Every year, it receives more than 900 reports corresponding on average to some 500 incidents involving dead, injured or distressed marine mammals. UMM is responsible for coordinating the responses to these incidents, from receiving reports to documenting cases, including interventions and field sampling.

*** UMM is the 911 for whales and seals ***

UMM is managed by the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research and conservation education with a focus on the whales of the St. Lawrence and their habitat.

To learn more about GREMM and QMMERN, please visit our websites: https://gremm.org/en/ and  https://baleinesendirect.org/en/marine-mammal-emergencies/

JOB DESCRIPTION

The UMM Director is responsible for overseeing all UMM operations. The selected candidate will participate in case management, from initial reports to documentation, including interventions and field sampling. He or she will support UMM’s mobile teams and coordinate the response of satellite teams, partners and QMMERN volunteers who assist UMM in its mission. The individual will be responsible for developing and updating protocols and procedures for documenting reports and responding to incidents. A high degree of scientific rigour is required, as the selected candidate will be responsible for managing databases, analysis, and disseminating results to partners and the scientific community. 

The UMM Director is a member of the QMMERN coordination centre and works closely with the Coordinator, Scientific Director, and Management and Conservation Unit Director to develop the QMMERN’s development and orientation plans. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

AS DIRECTOR of Marine Mammal Emergencies, you will be: 

• Responsible for UMM’s response efforts, including managing cases and developing and implementing intervention plans
• Responsible for developing and updating protocols and procedures
• Responsible for UMM teams
• Responsible for UMM management
• Responsible for databases and data analysis, publication and sharing
• Member of the coordination centre 

TASKS

• Participate in case management and ensure the preparation of intervention plans
• Ensure the quality and efficiency of responses to incidents by supporting UMM teams in their management of cases 
• Assess UMM operational capabilities
• (Shared) responsibility for UMM response outside normal working hours
• Oversee monitoring of the vigilance program
• Oversee the recruiting, training and supervision of UMM teams
• Promote the production and dissemination of scientific reports based on data collected in the context of UMM activities and oversee the production of UMM incident reports
• Oversee planning and implementation of UMM development and management 

Note: The list of main tasks and responsibilities is for indicative purposes only. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or detailed list of tasks and responsibilities that might be carried out by the UMM Director. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Post-graduate university degree in biology, animal health, the environment, or a related field
• Candidates with a combination of relevant experience deemed equivalent may be retained

Experience

We are looking for an individual with experience* in the following aspects:

• Design, planning and execution of protocols and procedures such as ecosystem monitoring, population tracking, or animal health or behavioural studies, including field experience
• Collaboration with multiple stakeholders or partners to advance conservation or research projects or initiatives
• Team supervision (a plus) 
• Field logistics, e.g. navigation or operation of small boats, operation of heavy vehicles and trailers (a plus) 

*Experience must be recent, significant and have been acquired roughly in the last five years, over a minimum period of two years.

Know-how

• Knowledge of marine mammals, fisheries and/or environmental issues affecting the marine ecosystem
• Familiarity with database management and analysis tools  (GIS,R, etc.) 
• Familiarity with SCI processing system (a plus)
• Good knowledge of French and English to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing*

* or willingness to learn quickly 

Candidate profile

• Initiative and leadership
• Autonomy and resourcefulness
• Ability to adapt
• Stress tolerance
• Scientific rigour
• Good analytical and problem-solving capacity
• Interpersonal skills, diplomacy, ease of communicating with the public

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Location: Rimouski and/or Tadoussac

Hours: Full time (including occasional weekends) 

Salary: Between $50,000 and $60,000 depending on candidate’s profile and current salary structure

Start date: As early as possible beginning in March 2025 (or sooner, if possible)

Duration: One year (renewable)

Interested in joining our team?

To submit your application, please attach in a single file a cover letter and a recent CV and submit to Patrick Weldon, Director of the Management and Conservation Unit, at the following address: [email protected]

Application deadline: January 24, 2025

After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. We thank all candidates for their interest in our organization. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

GREMM values ​​diversity and invites all qualified individuals to apply. Priority will be given, however, to Canadiancitizens and permanent residents. For additional information, please contact Patrick Weldon at [email protected]