The Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is now accepting Stranding Response Intern and Batten Fellow applications for Summer 2022.

Intern Application Deadline: 2/12/2022

Fellow Application Deadline: 1/31/2022

For more information: https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/support/work-with-us, or email vaqstranding@gmail.com with any questions.

Internship: 

• Internships will be approximately three months long, starting between May and June.
  
• Internships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations.

Please note that all positions are non-compensatory, and housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) interns promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Once accepted, interns will be assigned to either necropsy or rehabilitation focus area. Interns will be cross-trained in all aspects of stranding response; however, daily tasks will be delegated according to focus area and caseload. Stranding work is unpredictable; therefore, experiences will vary by internship session. VAQS will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session.

Duties

• Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field.
• Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection, photographing, carcass recovery, and cleaning.
• Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen, and associated supplies.
• Assist staff with new admits and daily treatments of patients. Restrain animals for exams, collect vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, take photographs, administer medications, and perform wound care.
• Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning gear.
• Assist with releases of rehabilitation patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator training events.
• Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, and completing response paperwork.
• Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or have graduated within the last two years.
• Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50 pounds and walk long distances on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and wind.
• Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
• Should be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals.
• Should be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans (preferred). Willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required).
• Background in biology and familiarity with stranding response preferred.
• Experience with DSLR cameras and Microsoft Access preferred.

Position Requirements

• Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving upon starting.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.
• Wear a mask and comply with all organizational COVID-19 preventative measures.

Internship Learning Objectives
Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills:

• Perform post-mortem examinations on sea turtles and marine mammals.
• Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including vitals collection, wound treatment, administering medications, and blood processing.
• Complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Marine Mammal Stranding Level A forms.
• Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access.

Intern Schedule
The intern is expected to be available 3-4 days per week, 8:00am-4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage are expected.

Minimum Commitment Required
24-32 hours per week for the duration of the internship.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor
VAQS Volunteer Manager and project supervisor.

Work Location
Virginia Aquarium’s Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center

How to Apply
A complete Stranding Response Internship packet must include the following components:

• Cover letter detailing preferred focus area (necropsy or rehabilitation) and internship expectations. While we will do our best to accommodate intern preferences, staff will make the final focus area determination. There is some flexibility with the internship start and end dates. Please include any known schedule conflicts in your letter.
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Internship application form.
• Two letters of recommendation; one must be an academic reference.
• Resume
• College transcript(s)

Fellowship: 

• Fellows are expected to work 800 hours over approximately five months, starting between May and July.
• Fellowships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations.
• Housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium.
• Fellows are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.
• This competitive position includes modest compensation to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the course of the appointment period.

Position Overview
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) Fellows promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Fellows will be trained in all aspects of stranding response. Stranding work is unpredictable; therefore, experiences will vary by fellowship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session.

Duties

• Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field.
• Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection & entry, photographing, report writing, carcass removal, and cleaning.
• Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen and associated supplies and equipment.
• Assist staff with new patients, including daily treatments, restraining animals for exams, collecting vital rates (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, taking photographs, administering medications, and performing wound care.
• Assist with research projects and field activities involving sea turtles and marine mammals.
• Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning/restocking gear and supplies.
• Assist with releases of rehabilitation patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator training.
• Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, and completing response paperwork.
• Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS staff.

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a rising junior, recent graduate, or currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in a science-based (or veterinary) program.
• Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
• Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50 pounds and walk long distances (>5 mi/8 km) on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and/or wind.
• Be able to swim and be comfortable in and around open water and boats.
• Be willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required).

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate interest in a career in marine or veterinary science.
• Have some experience in stranding response, field research, and/or wild/exotic animal care.
• Have basic math and computer skills using MS spreadsheets, relational databases, and data entry (advanced programs such as SQL, GIS, R, etc. preferred).
• Be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals.
• Be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans.

Position Requirements

• Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving.
• Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.
• Be available to perform support activities (24-7) as needed during the period of appointment.

Fellowship Learning Objectives
Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills:

• Perform basic post-mortem examinations on sea turtle and marine mammals.
• Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including collecting vital rates, treating wounds, administering medications, and processing blood samples.
• Be able to complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Marine Mammal Stranding Level A forms.
• Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access.
• Complete an individual project with a final deliverable (paper/report and/or oral presentation).

Fellow Schedule
Fellow is expected to be available 4-5 days per week, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected.

Minimum Commitment Required

800 total hours

Fellow Supervisor/Mentor
VAQS Volunteer Manager and Project Supervisor

Work Location
Virginia Aquarium’s Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center

Application Requirements
A complete Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellowship application packet must include the following:
Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

• A Cover letter. There is some flexibility with the Fellowship start and end dates; please include any know schedule conflicts.
• A Fellowship expectations letter. This should detail what you expect to do and gain from your experience.
• Resume
• College Transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation. One must be an academic reference. Letters can be sent separately to vaqstranding@gmail.com.

For Internship and Fellowship Positions: 

Mail your completed application packet to:
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant (OR Batten Fellowship)
OR
Email completed application packet to:
Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com and copy vaqstranding@gmail.com.

Please type "Stranding Response Intern (OR Stranding Response Fellow) Application Packet" in the subject line.