San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network - 2022 Paid Internship

The San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SJCMMSN), a program of The Whale Museum established in 1980, is authorized by NMFS to respond to all marine mammal strandings in San Juan County, Washington State. We typically respond to more than 200 calls of both live and deceased animals per year. SJCMMSN is currently hiring one (1) San Juan Island-based intern to help respond to marine mammal strandings during our busy season. Interns and volunteers of this critical program serve as ambassadors between humans and marine mammals as well as contribute scientific data that is crucial to both human and animal health.

Internship is based in Friday Harbor, WA and requires approximately 35-40 hours per week from late June through early September. Schedule may vary and involve “on call” time. There will be a variety of tasks both in the field and in an office setting. Interns will receive an hourly wage. Housing is not provided, but we will give you resources and help you find accommodations.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with stranding response, including: conducting health assessments of live seal pups in the field; tagging harbor seals that are not collected for rehabilitation; transferring harassed or injured pups to a local rehabilitation center; assisting with surveying and documenting entangled animals; and conducting Level A examinations on stranded marine mammals
• Assist with necropsies of fresh dead marine mammals, including: transferring carcasses to the lab space; preparing, setting-up, and taking down necropsy supplies; organizing and archiving biological samples
• Perform first mate duties onboard The Whale Museum’s stranding boat, the R/V Buzzard
• Assist with data entry and analysis for SJCMMSN as well as The Whale Museum’s marine mammal sightings network and passive acoustics collection
• Assist with training and supervising a volunteer network of approximately 60 people
• Participate in weekly outreach events to teach the public about Share the Shore regulations

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicant should be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, or be a recent graduate from a college or university (up to 3 years)
• Possess a valid US driver's license and access to a mode of transportation
• Interest in the field of marine mammalogy, marine science, or wildlife science
• Experience boating in the marine environment, comfortable being on water, not prone to seasickness
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
• Fieldwork experience
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Physically fit (able to walk several miles on beaches, lift 50lbs, etc.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Animal handling experience
• Experience with conflict resolution & public communication
• Project management experience

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE INTERNSHIP POSITION:
Please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three letters of recommendation as one pdf (references are allowed to send their letters of recommendation directly to Alyssa Scott, if they prefer). Please include what dates you are available. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm (PST) on March 4th, 2022. Decisions will be made by March 18th, 2022.

Please send application materials (or questions) to:

Stranding Coordinator Alyssa Scott // alyssa@whalemuseum.org
Please include in your subject line: SJCMMSN Internship Application (Your Last Name)