Expedition Leader
Added to website: 22 October 2004
1. What does the Expedition Leader job involve?
Longer term strategic planning for Expedition sites is the remit of the directors in London, with input from the field staff. To be honest my primary focus is to keep the operation here safe and rewarding for volunteers. As a consequence I find myself focused on shorter term issues around safety and maintenance, site infrastructure and logistics. After safety we have a duty to provide qualitative survey data, in a timely fashion to enable our local project partners to make educated decisions about their marine environment. While this keeps my goals fairly short term it does enable the staff team here to get on with their respective jobs without too much distraction. We place our trust in London to provide the parameters and guidance we need to understand what we need to achieve. London trusts us to deliver. After that - we have some fun.
2. What type of individual best fits the team of staff you currently have on the project?
The staff team consists usually of 5 people, the Expedition Leader, Project Scientist, Science Officer, Scuba Instructor and the Medical Officer. This does fluctuate based upon people’s contracts, and the occasional head office representative that is out here for various reasons. We are a self contained business team responsible for the running of this particular site in line with Global policies and with parameters and guidance from our HQ in London but also adhering to local specific requirements and additions. The environment is challenging and should be seen as a 24/7 job 7 days a week for the duration of your contract. I know this sounds a little harsh - however having this attitude at the beginning does help. We are responsible not only for the effective running and management of the project but also of the safety and well-being of the volunteers here - as such we do need to be available at any time. A roundabout way of saying that staff members here need to be Patient beyond all understanding, energetic when knackered, Enthused when depressed and generally ready, willing and able to do anything at anytime for any reason whatsoever. Ultimately we all live and work together - and being able to distinguish personal from professional is important, It is worth stressing that Staff on expedition are expected to work hard - not just in their particular areas of expertise - and should be leading the way in general expedition management. From Sanitation and cleanliness through to creative input on non-diving days etc.
3. How many volunteers do you typically have at any one time? University student ages mostly?
Volunteer numbers fluctuate annually as you would expect. Fiji less than most of our sites however and is fairly well complimeneted year out. I would say a safe average is around 20 people on site all year round - this is an average of course, currently we are looking forward to a week with 31 people. As for age groups - We do receive a lot of Gap year students - those taking a year out from Uni etc - but we do also get a few career break people. The age range does vary - an ability to adapt your approach to all age groups is important, currently we have an age range from 18 - 54 on site.
4. What are the biggest rewards and challenges of the position?
This question is I believe a personal experience - we will all take different things away from Expedition. Safe to say that those that put more in get more out - Volunteers and staff alike. Perhaps taking a look at our website and some of the ‘Day in the life of…’ reports might help with this side.
5. Costs: What is the arrangement for Scuba Instructors with what is paid and what isn’t?
The Expedition is managed so that facilities and requirements to do your job are either supplied from HQ, or financial consideration is made in a budget request in advance for and authorised. There is not expected to be any element of your role here that will require payment for. All food and board is covered. You are required to pay for your travel to the site, visas, insurance and any personal costs (such as your bar tab.
- Richard Surma
