Marine Mammal Conservation Internship Submission period: Open through October 18, 2024, 11:59 PM ET, or until we reach a maximum of 50 applications, whichever comes first. Temporary, full-time, paid Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s North American office is offering a 12-week, entry-level Marine Mammal Conservation Internship to candidates with little to no prior experience. This opportunity will help to build skills relevant to the field of marine conservation while providing interns with insight into the inner workings of a non-profit as well as job skills transferable to any field. This position is designed for those who do not yet have experience in marine mammal conservation and outreach. We will prioritize candidates who do not have practical experience (internship, significant volunteering, employment) in this field outside of a classroom setting. Applicants should be eager to dive into new experiences and enjoy having a variety of tasks to work on. This position will help to assist staff in two key program areas: Marine Animal Rescue and Response and Education.<https://us.whales.org/about/get-involved/#MARR> Occasional opportunities to see whales at sea may also be possible, though no part of this position requires being in the water. Successful candidates will gain transferable skills in effective communication and public speaking, project management, developing and delivering presentations and other interpretive resources, working on a close-knit team, and record keeping. We have one open position for this temporary, full-time, paid internship. The internship dates are November 2024 – February 2025. Each of the successful candidates will be assisting all WDC programming, including Marine Animal Rescue and Response and Education & Outreach. LOGISTICS: Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they are legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed starting date. Successful candidates will need to make their own arrangements, as needed, for housing and transportation to and from the WDC office in Plymouth, MA, USA. Please note that the cost of living for the Plymouth area is above the national average when considering this role. Successful candidates are expected to work 40 hours a week (including occasional evening and/or weekend work) for the 12-week period of the program; they will be compensated at a rate of $15/hour. Applicants must be 18 years or older by the internship start date and fluent in English. WDC will assist interested students in obtaining credits for the program through their college or university. Candidates should be advised that WDC’s office is dog-friendly; up to three dogs may be in the office on any given day. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Whale and Dolphin Conservation embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We recognize that the field of marine mammal research and conservation lacks diversity, including within our own organization. WDC is dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities which represent diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Candidates in this internship will: * Have effective verbal and/or written communications skills * Work well with diverse audiences and teams * Have an interest in education/outreach initiatives * Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team * Be able to problem solve in unanticipated situations * Have an attention to detail and follow policies and procedures * Possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive a large pick-up truck * Be able to pass a background check * Be able to lift or move heavy objects and work outside in adverse weather conditions * Be comfortable working with deceased/decomposing animals * Have health insurance coverage and be free of (or able to manage) medical issues aggravated by exposure to animals including their fur and bodily fluids, which could contain transmissible diseases * Be legally able to work in the United States * All staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless employee qualifies for exception under applicable law relating to disability or sincerely held religious belief). CDC COVID recommendations are reviewed at frequent intervals and guide the updating of WDC's protocols to keep employees safe. Internship responsibilities include but are not limited to: * Researching and exploring potential outreach and education partnership opportunities * Writing blogs, creating social media content, and managing program websites * Developing outreach materials and grade school lesson plans connected to science standards * Delivering educational programs to K-12 students as well as adults/families at community events * Responding to stranded live and dead marine mammals in the field, including assisting with health assessments and examinations to determine cause of death * Answering WDC’s rescue hotline and handling reports from callers * Ensuring marine animal response preparedness by inventorying and restocking equipment, cleaning gear, fueling vehicles, etc. The programs this internship supports are as follows: Marine Animal Rescue and Response WDC’s Marine Animal Rescue and Response Program (MARR) is responsible for responding to stranded marine mammals along about 200 miles of Massachusetts coastline. Interns will learn the skills needed to respond to pinnipeds (seals) and cetaceans (whales, porpoises, and dolphins), including standard data collection and data input (Level A and human interaction evaluations) and managing supply inventory and ordering materials. It's important to note that stranding events are unpredictable and hands-on experience and species encountered will vary. Education WDC’s formal and informal educational efforts include creating lesson plans, facilitating inquiry-based activities, making presentations, managing outreach events, and more. Interns supporting this program will build a strong set of skills related to educational design and philosophy, public speaking and outreach, communications and marketing strategies (including social media), and contribute new ideas and plans on how to grow WDC’s educational programming. APPLY NOW: https://form.jotform.com/242125192039148 [Whales.org]<https://us.whales.org/> Lauren Brandkamp Stranding Coordinator WDC North America Pronouns: she, her, hers Telephone: +1 508 746 2522<tel:+1%20508%20746%202522> Hotline: +1 617‑688‑6872 WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation 225 Water Street Suite A145 Plymouth, MA 02360 United States whales.org<https://whales.org/> [WDC on Facebook]<https://www.facebook.com/uswhalesorg> [WDC North America on Twitter]<https://www.twitter.com/whales_org> [WDC on Instagram]<https://www.instagram.com/whales_org> [WDC on YouTube]<https://www.youtube.com/whalesorg> [WDC News and Blogs]<https://us.whales.org/category/news/> [WDC E-Newsletter]<https://us.whales.org/newsletter> [WDC on Guidestar]<https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0749188> [cid:2dea08d0-5083-4183-9cf6-7900ed964b6b]<https://directories.onepercentfortheplanet.org/profile/whale-and-dolphin-conservation> [cid:789512cb-66b1-4d4d-b4ec-c1c093ce2a08]<https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/020749188> Whale and Dolphin Conservation (“WDC”), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non‑profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360‑4044 Tel: +1 (508) 746‑2522 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
