If I could have the best job in the world - Island Caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

[digitalenvironmentalist]

Diary: 6 Feb 2009

Re: My Video Application for the best job in the world, click here to w...

Link: The best job in the world applicant: My Diary

I AM VERY DESPERATE to change my work environment at the moment. I started this research work 3 years ago and Im struggling to finish it. No regrets of doing it but as time passes by, my focus and determination to complete is totally diminishing which worries me. Anyway, as early as of this new year, Im now in the process of looking for possible job opportunity, hoping that at the later of the year, I will get the "best job in the world" offered by the Queensland Tourism as the "island caretaker" of the Great Barrier Reef GBR), Queensland, Australia.

The location is not new to me since I lived in Brisbane for 2 years but I did not able to visit the Reef but maybe this time, I will be able to visit GBR because of this best job posted online which also catch the imaginations of the people around the globe.

What is this global job search?

I found the online ad thru Yahoo!news on the 12th January - when Queensland Tourism (QT) announced the new position - island caretaker of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The online application started on the 10th January and will end on the 22nd of February. Everybody is invited to apply as long as you have the following qualifications. What are these qualifications? Well QT emphasized that there is no definitive educational and experience requirements, thus a broad range of experience will be accepted. However, the successful candidate should possess:

1. good swimming skills
2. enthusiasm for diving and snorkeling
3. good written and verbal English skills
4. excellent interpersonal communication skills and engage with other people
5. with adventurous attitudes to try new things
6. passion for the outdoors

Since I have this qualification, without any hesitation I submitted/uploaded a 60-seconds video in English which highlights why I do want the job, including basic knowledge about this world heritage site. As part of the submission, I have to fill-up a brief application form which will be forwarded thru the official website: www.islandreefjob.com.
It took me two weeks to finally recorded and edited my video clip using my Sony digital camera. While waiting for the approval of my application and the video will be downloaded to the official site of QT, I already did preliminary marketing of my ultimate quest for this job by having new blog dedicated to my application, including several posts to my other travel blogs and community sites. After 12 days of waiting, I finally got an email from QT that my video is already available in the official site and I coud start asking my friends or anybody to watch and of course to vote. Cut and paste the url link below:

http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/applicants/watch/WVfNxrFYxNY

How the selection process works?

It is expected that 30,000 applications will be approved by QT towards the last day of submission. My application will be one of the candidates to be subjected in the initial selection of the 50 shortlisted candidates and one "wildcard candidate will be picked by online voting. Eleven finalists will take the final interview to be held in the GBR.

So, what is the catch for this hype search?

IF I COULD GET IN THE TOP 50 SHORTLIST, I will be delighted to ask my friends and online community friends to cast their votes - aiming for the wildcard position. If I could get the attention of the organizer, QT, there is a chance that I will be able to get more votes in support to my quest. If I could also perrsuade the organizer through my blogs and travel sites that Im the right person for the job - willing to learn new things and challenges. My existing blogs and online review sites could enhance my popularity from the rest of the finalists.

IF I COULD GET THE TOP ELEVEN FINALIST, then I will be happy to travel to Australia in May to prove to them that Im the best applicant for the best job. My travel will be shouldered by the organiser from UK to Queensland.

IF I COULD GET THE JOB, I will be able to sign a six-month contract and based on luxurious Hamilton Island . My key responsibilities includes: exploring islands of GBR to discover what this heritage area has to offer especially for tourists and the like. I will be feeding the fish, clean the swimming pool, and collect the mail.

IF I COULD GET THIS OFFER IN MAY, I will start my work in July and get a contract salary of £70,000 (A$150,000). If this will happen, I will promise to share my blessings in my home country, helping young children to attend primary and secondary schools. My plan to have a mini-library or information centre in my hometown will come true, benefitting both children and adults.

IF I COULD GET THIS BEST JOB IN THE WORLD, I will also be required to do a weekly reports thru blogging which entails posting of photos and videos about the area, including regular media exposure.

IF I COULD GET THIS POSITION AS THE ISLAND CARETAKER, this is my big opportunity to understand the importance of caring our seas and oceans - including the living creatures under it. In some way, I could help QT to manage the Great Barrier Reef in a "sustainable manner" and to prevent this place to be "bleached-out in 25 years time due to global warming.

IF I COULD BRING THIS DREAM INTO REALITY, by the end of my contract as the island caretaker, I have already visited and explored the 2,600 kilometres of this world's largest coral reef system; covering more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands; more than 1500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusc, 400 different types of coral. Finally, I have seen the most dangerous water creatures: sharks, box jellyfish, scorpion fish, and the blue-ringed octopus.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF I COULD NOT GET THIS EMPLOYMENT, I will continue to inspire others and to dream big things will not stop. Having this application is fun and have the opportunity to meet friendly people in the internet - people with the same inspirations in life - to explore and travel, and most importantly to protect our environment in a different way. My blogs will still exist and will be the first to know if Im successful to visit the heritage site.

BUT AGAIN, IF I COULD GET THIS BEST JOB IN THE WORLD, I will be the most happiest living creature to explore this world's largest living organism. Wish me luck!

[digitalenvironmentalist]

If you are interested to vote among the top 50 candidates, I have my personal top 6 as shown in the clip below!

[digitalenvironmentalist]

Hi...unluckilyy my video application was not chosen for the top 50 candidates. Thanks for the people who cast their votes.

[digitalenvironmentalist]

Hello Ada, just click the url link that I posted earlier, or click this link.You will be directed to the official site of the Great Barrier Reef and you will be able to watch and vote by clicking the rating stars beside the video. Thanks. http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/applicants/watch/WVfNxrFYxNY

[Ada]

By the way how to vote?

[Ada]

I'll definitely vote and support you!

[digitalenvironmentalist]

This is again the link to watch my video application and please dont forget to vote ... just click how many stars you want to give me. Salamat po! Rey Ramos

http://www.islandreefjob.com/#/applicants/watch/WVfNxrFYxNY