Summer 2024: Come back to sea turtle conservation as a leader!
Field Leaders are a special category of volunteers in ARCHELON projects: they are experienced and skilled individuals that are selected to lead the different activities of each sea turtle conservation project.
ARCHELON’s sea turtle field projects in Greece are organised every summer with the valuable contribution of volunteers. They involve monitoring and protecting the reproduction of loggerhead sea turtles and raising public awareness about their nesting beaches. Participation to all 8 projects is open and inclusive and volunteers from all over the world can join them. Field Leaders undertake tasks and responsibilities related to project activities and ensure the high quality of work done by the other volunteers.
Why should I join or return as a Leader?
You will be part of an international team with the mission to record and protect loggerhead turtle nests and hatchlings. You will be responsible for the implementation of a specific objective in the project working alongside other volunteers. The Field Leader positions provide a higher level of experience and responsibility in conservation/ environment projects, and help you achieve improved communication and leadership skills. You will receive the necessary guidance and training, which are based on the continuously evolving practices of projects running for 40+ years.
Field Leaders do not receive a salary but they are provided with non-fee training, camping accommodation, basic food expenses, as well as insurance against accidents. Candidates with previous experience as field leaders in ARCHELON’s or other relevant projects will be eligible for additional benefits. Returning to the projects as a Field Leader is a great opportunity to lead specific activities as well as train and help others.
What are the specific tasks of Field Leaders?
Field Leaders are responsible for leading the teams and ensuring the proper on-site implementation of
- sea turtle monitoring actions (Monitoring Field Leaders)
- public awareness and fund raising actions (Public Awareness Field Leaders) and
- the good state of ARCHELON Research Stations (Camp and Volunteer Leaders)
Together they formulate the weekly schedule of shifts, train volunteers and boost their motivation. They manage occurring issues in cooperation with the Project Managers.
Each project recruits a different number of Field Leaders and assigns responsibilities depending on the expected work load in different activities, which are specific to the area.
You can find out more details on what a Monitoring Field Leader , a Public Awareness Field Leader and a Camp and Volunteers Field Leader do in the projects and whether these match your experience and interest.
How can I become a Field Leader?
To be eligible for a Field Leader post, you need to be over 20 years old, with a car driving license (EU or international), be fluent in English and ready to spend from 3 – 6 months on the site. Having previously participated in ARCHELON’s projects is a serious advantage.
If interested, you need to send an email to jobs@archelon.gr with:
- The Application form
- A Short Curriculum Vitae (400-900 words)
Applications and short CVs for 2024 are now open! Early applications have a higher chance to be successful as vacancies are limited.
Initial deadline for applications is 11 February 2024. However, applications will continue to be reviewed past this deadline until all positions are filled. Short interviews will begin on February 1st and will continue until all field leading teams are complete.
More information on Field leaders here Find out who were the Field Leaders in 2023 here
Notes of a volunteer (Part 1): Jessica Van Damme was at the Rescue Centre
The establishment of the “Amvrakikos Alliance”
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
- OUR NEWS03/04/2024
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
ARCHELON started the effort to record the incidents of dead turtles washing up on the Greek shores in 1992. In recent years there has been an increase in these records which may be due to more of our fellow citizens reporting such incidents. Learn more…
- OUR NEWS19/03/2024
Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
In the past, members of ARCHELON were actively involved in the elaboration of the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, published in 1995, and nowadays three of our collaborators participate in the writing of the revised guidebook “Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles”.
- OUR NEWS08/03/2024
The Over & Above Awards for 2023
These are the ARCHELON Over & Above Awards for 2023.
- OUR NEWS04/03/2024
The moving experience of Frederique at the Rescue Centre
At ARCHELON, you'll have the opportunity to meet and work together with new people and form lasting friendships - a major benefit of volunteering.
- OUR NEWS29/02/2024
Presentation of ARCHELON 2023 Results: Here is some good news!
On Thursday February 15th, 2024, ARCHELON’s annual Presentation of Results took place downtown, at the Impact Hub Athens. When welcoming members, staff, collaborators, friends and volunteers, Daphne Mavrogiorgos, Director of ARCHELON, spoke about the multi-leveled action of ARCHELON during 2023.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2024
Sea turtles in the Greek wetlands of international importance
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2. These vulnerable areas of the planet are a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife species, including sea turtles. ARCHELON is present in wetlands that play an important role for sea turtles, such as the Amvrakikos Gulf.
- OUR NEWS24/01/2024
Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
ARCHELON’s sea turtle conservation projects are organized with the valuable contribution of volunteers who come to Greece every year not just from Europe but from more distant places such as South Korea, Australia, and Colombia. Speaking English while carrying out fieldwork or public awareness activities as well as when interacting with each other in the campsites is essential to the projects.
- OUR NEWS17/01/2024
ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
Turtles with IV and bandages, rehabilitation and recovery tanks, special environmental enrichment equipment, recovery greenhouses, and… renovated train wagons! The hospital for injured and sick turtles that ARCHELON has set up in the 3rd marina of Glyfada, next to the sea, is certainly something out of the ordinary.
- OUR NEWS05/01/2024
What happened in the world of ARCHELON in 2023?
A world record for reproductive life for a sea turtle and 40 years of ARCHELON’s actions for protecting sea turtles are some of the moments we celebrated together this year. So, what happened in the world of ARCHELON in 2023? Here are some highlights of the past year.
- OUR NEWS21/12/2023
Assuming responsibility for the environment brings more meaning into our lives
“ARCHELON is an opportunity, not only for the animals and the ecosystems, but also for us who participate in it and for the society in which we operate”. Thomas Arapis, President and founding member of ARCHELON, talks about the efforts of the organization and about what he aspires for the future.