The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program:
2021 Summer Internship Openings
The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking interns for the 2021 summer season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program working to reduce vessel disturbance to orcas and other marine wildlife in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch is looking for interns to help conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and collect data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered orcas and other marine wildlife. The data is used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. The Soundwatch program is operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. To learn more, please visit our website and read Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications.
Interns Must:
- Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September.
- Be able to work approximately 35-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun.
- Perform a variety of tasks both in the field, aboard small research vessel and in an office setting.
- Have a strong sense of responsibility, work ethic and attention to detail.
- Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
- Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water sometimes in extreme seasonal conditions. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least four to five times a week.
Internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. Interns are responsible for finding their own housing and having a mode of transportation. This position provides a stipend to offset housing costs. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to assist interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations.
Applicant requirements:
- At least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs), must be able to swim, not easily susceptible to seasickness, and familiar with database spreadsheets.
- Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences.
- Interns will need(for the entirety of their position) a valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license and CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license or equivalent safe boating card is not required, but is encouraged.
- Knowledge of the area and Southern Resident orca whales is preferred, but not required.
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. If possible, submit application materials as one PDF.
Applications accepted until March 19, 2021, with decisions made by April 9.
PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Alanna Frayne
Soundwatch Boater Education Program and Be Whale Wise Coordinator
alanna@whalemuseum.org
Feel free to contact with any questions.