MARINE ANIMAL REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP

The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is now accepting applications for the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Internship for the Spring 2024 session. The application deadline is November 1, 2023. The internship session will run from the first week of January 2024 through the third week of May 2024.

 

Animal Care Responsibilities: Depending on need, case load, and time of year, interns may assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and a variety of native turtle species. Animal Care duties may include animal restraint; cleaning; disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices; diet preparation; administering feeds (including tube feeding); record keeping; facility maintenance; and water quality testing. Interns may also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, animal necropsies, and release events. 

Other Responsibilities: Each intern is assigned to multiple projects in different areas of the organization, e.g. research, fundraising, rehabilitation, marketing, or social media. A weekly chore will be delegated to each intern to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment. Each intern is required to attend regularly scheduled meetings throughout their time at NMLC. At the end of the internship, the intern will deliver a presentation about their experience and projects to staff and volunteers. 

 

Positions are unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions.  

Qualifications  

• Must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university; preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields.  
• Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.  
• Must be adaptable, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail.  
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.  
• Must be willing to engage in a positive and informative manner with members of the public on a regular basis.   
• Must be willing to participate in and receive constructive feedback.  
• Must expect to work approximately 40 hours per week, which can include early morning and/or late-night seal feedings depending on the season.   
• Interns may be required to work some holidays. 
• Interns may be required to participate in fundraisers held by NMLC, which may occur outside of normally scheduled hours  
• International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements, etc. 
• If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to endure some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as medical equipment and boxes of medical supplies. 
• The work may require specific but common physical characteristics and abilities such as lifting up to 50 pounds, above-average agility, and dexterity.