ABOUT US
Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance (HMMA) is a non-profit organization funded by private donations, government grants and corporate sponsorships. We are dedicated to the preservation, recovery and stewardship of Hawaii’s endangered and threatened marine species and the coastal ecosystem we share. Our current efforts are focused on the Hawaiian monk seal, one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. In partnership with NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, our work supports endangered Hawaiian monk seal species research and recovery efforts through field response, observations, identification, documentation, stranding support and assistance with in-field animal intervention. Other important functions include public engagement and education to promote stewardship of these rare animals.
INTERN ACTIVITY
-- Patrolling for, or responding to, sightings of Hawaiian monk seals and providing shoreline response to haul-outs or strandings.
-- Report on animal
behavior, provide basic animal assessment information, provide
photo-documentation and other important data used in endangered species
research, health management and species recovery efforts.
-- Engage with the
public to teach sustainable human interaction and fishery behaviors and
encourage stewardship of this very endangered species.
-- Response team
duties may also include escalated or emergency field response and assisting
with Hawaiian monk seal and other endangered or threatened marine species
intervention activity and stranding support.
-- Participate in
dispatch and reporting activity such as the taking and documenting of phone
calls or mobile-app generated reports of marine species activity, coordinating
field response activity and generating reports.
LOCATION
These internship positions are located on the Island of Oahu in the State of Hawaii and require significant travel on the island.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
-- This is an un-paid internship opportunity. The intern is responsible for all living and transportation costs associated with the internship.
-- U.S.
citizenship or possession of passport and all applicable visas and work permits
needed prior to and during the internship period.
-- 18
or more years of age.
-- English
language fluency.
-- Must
be a degree-seeking student or a graduate of a college or university program
associated with one of the following courses of study: marine biology, marine
ecology, conservation or a related field.
-- Minimum
grade point average (GPA). For
college/university graduates - a 2.7 cumulative GPA prior to the internship.
For current students - a 2.7 cumulative GPA prior to and during the internship.
-- College
credit: If college credit for this internship is desired it is the intern’s
responsibility to obtain necessary approvals from the applicable college or
university.
-- Attend
mandatory in-field or classroom training sessions as required.
-- Possess
an interest and a desire to engage with the public.
-- Must
have access to a reliable car or truck.
Motorcycles or scooters will not be sufficient.
-- Possession
of a valid driver’s license.
-- Proof
of automobile insurance carrying Hawaii minimum liability coverage levels.
-- Access
to a cellular phone (4G service required).
-- Access
to binoculars with at least a 10X magnification level or access to a digital
camera (not smartphone) with at least a 35X zoom lens
-- Ability
to walk at least 2 miles over shoreline beach and rocky conditions.
-- Ability
to lift and carry at least 35 pounds over a distance of 100 feet.
-- Acceptance
of Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance Intern Policies, Waivers, Releases and Indemnifications.
-- Background
check.
INTERNSHIP WORK SCHEDULE
-- Internship term: minimum of 3 months (may be extended for up to 1 year upon mutual agreement)
-- Hours
per week: 18 hours minimum (travel time to field patrol or response locations
is not included in minimum hours)
-- Total
hours: 144 minimum within 3 months
-- Work
location and schedule: Normal work schedule will be a minimum of 4.5 hours per
day, 4 days per week, however, due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal
response, the intern may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal
scheduled hours. The intern must be able
and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.
-- The work schedule noted above does not include travel time to reach or return from field response or survey locations.
INTERNSHIP PERIODS AND APPLICATION DEADLINES
-- Internship period - May 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017, application deadline is March 31, 2017.
-- Internship
period - September 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, application deadline July 31, 2017.
-- Internship
period - January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018, application deadline is October 31, 2017.
*** APPLICATION PROCESS ***
(1) Go to www.monkseals.org/apply to complete an online internship application. In addition to the online application, please send the following via email to info@monkseals.org.
(2) A cover letter of interest, maximum of 1 page, including your availability (i.e. for which internship period you are applying).
(3) Confirmation that you have, or will have,
access to a reliable car or truck during the internship period.
(4) A
resume describing your training, experience, relevant skills and GPA (maximum
of 2 pages).
(5) Names and contact information for three
references.
For more information about Hawaii Marine Mammal Alliance, please visit our website at http://www.monkseals.org.