Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is a relatively new non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead marine mammals. MMoME is dedicated to providing response, assistance and care to stranded marine mammals between Kittery and Rockland, Maine. The organization covers some of the busiest seal stranding coastline during the summer months, totaling over 300 live and dead stranded marine mammals every year. MMoME recently received authorization to temporarily hold, and stabilize, sick and injured seals before transporting them to long term care facilities-currently the only triage facility on the east coast. MMoME’s mission also heavily targets education and outreach to many different interest groups to address our growing human interaction numbers, and increase awareness of marine mammals, their protection, and the organization.

MMoME is seeking up to 4 qualified, motivated, and independent interns for the months of May through August, or May through October, to assist with our busiest time of year-harbor seal pupping. Interns and volunteers are critical in fulfilling our mission and are able to participate in a variety of activities. The internship is based out of midcoast Maine, though travel throughout our response region, as well as to rehabilitation centers, will be necessary. Interns will be required to dedicate at least 20 hours per week, and may be required to work during holidays, weekends, and late hours. This internship is unpaid, and shared housing may be available. Maine’s busy tourist industry during the summer months offers many seasonal job opportunities for interns looking to supplement their income.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         ANIMAL RESPONSE: on-call for live and dead marine mammal stranding response to perform health assessments and carry out response actions such as monitor, relocate, collect for rehabilitation, or transport live animals, and data and carcass collection for necropsy or disposal of deceased animals.

·         TEMPORARY CARE OF SEALS: assist with the care of sick and injured seals being temporarily held and stabilized. Tasks range from tube-feeding, assisting with medical procedures, animal restraint for exams, running lab samples, record maintenance and transport to long term care facilities.

·         TRIAGE CENTER MAINTAINANCE: assist with maintenance and organization of MMoME’s new triage center including cleaning of animal enclosures, tools, maintaining lab equipment, and general projects to continue growing the facility.

·         NECROPSY: participate in necropsies of fresh dead seals and cetaceans, and help transport carcasses to partner organizations assisting MMoME with necropsy.

·         EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: assist MMoME staff with education and outreach by giving presentations to interest groups about the organization, our mission, and work, as well as help create educational tools and materials.

·         INDEPENDENT PROJECT: each intern will design an independent project relating to education/outreach, a research project using existing MMoME data and/or specific data collected throughout the summer, fundraising projects, or other aspects of marine mammal response and care or non-profit work of interest to the intern.

·         OTHER TASKS: data entry, assistance with fundraising events, and other tasks as needed

 

REQUIREMENTS:

·         The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. High school students may also be considered, but must be at least 18 years of age.

·         Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields.

·         Individuals that are passionate, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply.

·         Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, and be adaptable to a changing and unpredictable schedule due to the nature of stranding response.

·         Interns must be able to commit to at least three months, and should be available to work from at least May 15 , 2016 – August 15, 2016.

·         Must have a valid driver’s license as well as a vehicle.

·         Must be comfortable driving a truck.

·         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.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION:
Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can start/end. Applications accepted until February 29, 2016. Interviews will be conducted in early March, and final decisions will be announced mid-March. Please send application materials and questions to: info@mmome.org or
Marine Mammals of Maine
P.O. Box 751
Bath, ME 04530