Fellowship positions include: Aquarium, Avian, Vet Lab, Research and Outreach, Marketing and Communications, Development, and Education/Interpretation.

Aquarium Husbandry

Position requirements: 30 hours per week in husbandry/10 hours per week supporting front of house operation of ticketing and interpretation

The Aquarium Husbandry Fellowship participant will be introduced to basic animal care and husbandry techniques by assisting aquarium staff in daily care and maintenance of the Center’s fish and invertebrate collection, and life support systems. Our goal is to build on the individual’s current education and background with new practical knowledge and skills which may prove useful in a career in aquatic animal care. Under guidance of Aquarium staff, the Fellow will be trained in and expected to perform the following duties:

· Care for Alaska fishes, invertebrates and algae in exhibit settings and holding tanks.

· Recognize animal diet needs and assist with daily diet preparations and feeding marine organisms.

· Assist Aquarium staff with routine cleaning of exhibits and visitor areas, food prep room, and service areas.

· Assist Aquarium staff in development and installation of new aquatic displays.

· Monitor water system conditions using standard water quality measuring instruments and techniques.

· Assist the Aquarium staff with specimen collections in the field and assist with field monitoring for invasive species.

· Learn to recognize Alaska marine algae and animal species and their natural history. Deliver such information to visitors in our galleries and behind the scenes. Also, train for and deliver short animal care and animal encounter programs to small groups.

· Maintain current and accurate records on animal health and behavior.

· Assist at the ticketing counter or with Interpretation as assigned

Avian Husbandry

Position requirements: 30 hours per week in husbandry/10 hours per week supporting front of house operation of ticketing and interpretation.

Avian Fellow will be tasked with basic seabird care and husbandry techniques. Fellow will assist in the daily care and maintenance of the Center’s Alaskan seabird collection and exhibit. This position also participates in daily educational talks and/or tours. Under guidance of Avian staff, the Fellow will be trained and expected to perform the following duties:

· Perform daily animal diet preparations and routine cleaning of seabird exhibits and work areas.

· Record daily observations and note the health and condition of the exhibit birds.

· Work in an outdoor exhibit with moderate to strenuous physical activity, lifting up to 50lbs.

· Lead daily Keeper chats and tours.

· Maintain computer records and data.

· Assist in habitat maintenance and breeding season preparations.

· Assist the avian staff in current research projects and data collection.

· Assist in avian training program                 

· Assist at the ticketing counter or with Interpretation as assigned

Veterinary Laboratory Fellow

Position requirements: 30 hours per week in husbandry/10 hours per week supporting front of house operation of ticketing and interpretation.

Fellow will learn about the diagnostics and instruments commonly used in a veterinary laboratory specializing in Alaskan marine mammals, birds and fish. Fellow will be exposed to the methods used to maintain a clean and efficient laboratory. Skills and procedures learned will include: blood analysis, urine and fecal analysis, fecal coliform water quality analysis, sample collection during animal exams or necropsy, and maintaining veterinary records and sample inventory. Under guidance of Laboratory staff, the Fellow will be trained and expected to perform the following duties:

• Assist with set up and processing routine blood samples. Work with laboratory technicians to perform plasma/serum separations, prepare blood slides, and assist with performing serum chemistries and cell counts using an automated analyzer.
• Assist with maintaining laboratory and veterinary clinic cleanliness and routine maintenance of equipment.
• Assist with weekly water quality testing.
• Assist with maintaining sample inventory
• Assist with shipping samples to outside researchers
• Assist with maintaining medical and laboratory records and logs.
• Assist with organizing and inventorying consumable supplies for the laboratories. 
• Assist with other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.

Applicants should be agile with a good sense of balance in order to maneuver around the exhibits and holding areas. Applicants must be comfortable working with database computer programs and sensitive equipment. Must be willing to work with frozen samples and in walk-in freezers and able to lift 50 pounds. Job duties will vary from day to day. Although tasks will be in direct support of animal welfare, there is very little direct contact with animals in this position.

Research and Outreach Fellow

The successful candidate will join the Horning Lab in the Science Department. This research group currently focuses on topics including Steller sea lion reproduction and survival, movement ecology, and telemetry tag development. This spring, the lab will also be starting a new collaborative project aimed at understanding the elusive and enigmatic Pacific Sleeper Shark.

Fellow(s) for this project will work with the research team to develop outreach and communication materials for various research programs. Primarily, we are interested in developing a story map (a combination of GIS data, narrative text, images, and multimedia to convey a story) and a new project website. These products will be used to communicate the importance of our research, and to engage and inspire the public. The focus of the fellows’ time on either the story map or the website project will depend on their own interests and skills.

During their fellowship, applicants will learn about various telemetry devices used to study the survival of animals at sea, animal movement, and behaviour and have the opportunity to network with shark and marine mammal biologists. She/he will gain experience using various web and software platforms to enhance effective science communication. The fellow(s) will develop creativity, organization, communication, and data management skills.

Under guidance, fellow(s) will be expected to:

• Utilize large spatial datasets, images, media, and videos to develop online scientific communication materials
• Develop narrative text that highlights research, analyses, and conservation messaging.
• Incorporate information from internal and external sources
• Work independently, but as part of the broader research team
• At the conclusion of the fellowship, present findings to ASLC community
• Commit to 40hrs a week/ minimum of 12 weeks
• Assist with other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required

Position requirement

Education: Minimum of B.Sc in Biological sciences (or other related field: Marine Biology, Zoology, Fisheries, Conservation Science, etc.), Education/Communication, or Graphic Design. Position is open to graduate students and/or recent Masters’ degree graduates.

Skills: Successful candidates will be team players and effective communicators. Due to the variety of products the fellow(s) may work on—we are looking for candidates with any combination of: (1) experience with geographic information systems (ESRI ArcGIS) and ability to work with mapping programs. (2) A background in science communication (blogging, story maps, teaching, etc.), (3) experience with operating WordPress blogs and websites.

Applicants do not need to have all of these skills to be successful, but should note how they want to develop specific skills during their training at the ASLC.

Marketing & Communications

The successful candidate will spend 30 hours per week in Marketing & Communications to learn and gain practical hands on experience. The remaining 10 hours will be spent assisting in front of house operations either at the ticketing counter or with our Interpretation Department.

Be part of an amazing, close-knit team of marketing and communications professionals.

Gain hands on experience in marketing/communications and fundraising strategies. Working directly with the department director and staff, the Fellow will be trained and expected to perform the following types of duties:

• Assist the department in writing and production of publications, media outreach, social media, collateral, tour sales, specific sales campaigns, collateral distribution, and website content.
• Assist in all facets of planning and execution of fundraising events, including planning, marketing, and day-of participation such as volunteer coordination, event set-up/take down, guest interface.
• Assist in gathering stories, photos and other materials for member/donor recognition and use in ASLC publications.
• Perform administrative tasks such as putting together marketing materials and/pr membership packets.
• The Fellow will also assist sales and guest services functions, including ticketing, special events/facility rentals, and support with community interface.

·         The successful candidate will spend 30 hours per week in the Education Department to learn and gain practical hands-on experience. The remaining 10 hours will be spent assisting in front of house operations either at the ticketing counter or with our Interpretation Department.

Education/Interpretation Fellow

·         The goal of the Interpretation Department is to help our guests make a meaningful connection to the research and resources at the Alaska SeaLife Center, realizing the Center’s mission. Fellows will interpret all of the Alaska SeaLife Center’s static and live animal exhibits housing marine mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. Help maintain the physical appearance of manned exhibits and deliver announcements over the public address system. Responsibilities in the Interpretation department change daily depending on staff present and activities taking place that day.

·         The fellow will interpret live exhibits to the visiting public and teach interactive marine science programs to groups, Nocturne “night at the aquarium” experiences, interact with teachers and chaperones to organize food schedules for youth groups, and monitor groups during their self-guided tours. The fellow will work a flexible schedule to accommodate variable hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed. The fellow will also assist the education team on projects that may include virtual field trip elements, inventory and supply maintenance of education. Under the guidance of Education and Interpretation staff, the fellow will learn and demonstrate the ability to:

·         · Interpret exhibits housing live marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.

·         · Present briefings, lectures, presentations, multi-media shows, structured and impromptu talks, and guided tours by learning to employ appropriate interpretive techniques and devices geared to the characteristics and interest of particular audiences.

·         · Present one-hour lessons to classes and other visiting groups.

·         · Assist with logistical support for workshops and conferences.

·         · Make presentations using the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Education Department’s virtual field trips, presentations, and exhibits and assist with multimedia elements.

·         · Assist at the ticketing counter or Interpretation as assigned

Development Fellow

Position requirements: 30 hours per week in development and 10 hours per week supporting front of house operation of ticketing and interpretation

The Development Fellow will learn about best practices for nonprofit fundraising and building/maintaining donor relationships.  Fundraising activities will include helping grow the ASLC memberships, identifying target prospects for grant proposals, planning and execution of various events, maintaining the donor data base, and helping with strategies to retain donors.  Under guidance of development staff, the Fellow will be trained in and expected to perform the following duties:

• Work with the Development Manager and Coordinator to achieve the Center’s goals with respect to fundraising and cultivation opportunities.

• Assist the Development Manager and Coordinator in maintaining the Center’s donor database, Altu; to include donations, prospective donors and members.

• Assist in the planning of fundraising events, which may include securing event sponsorships/donation requests.

• Assist, as needed, with our main fundraising event, the Alaska Marine Gala.  The fellow will become an important member of this planning team.

• Assist with correspondence between the ASLC and donors and/or prospective donors

• Assist in identifying new grant proposal prospect organizations or foundations.  When possible participate in proposal development.

• Other duties as assigned by the development department.
   
• Assist at the Ticketing Counter or with the Interpretation Department as assigned.