The Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is now accepting Stranding Response Intern applications for summer 2023. The application deadline is February 1st, 2023. Internships will be approximately three months long, starting between May and June. Internships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations. Please note that all positions are non-compensatory and housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.  

 

Position Overview 

Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) interns promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, response, rehabilitation, and education. Interns will be cross-trained in all aspects of stranding response; however, daily tasks will be assigned to interns according to interest and case load. Stranding work is unpredictable; therefore, experiences will vary by internship. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each internship.  

 

Duties 

• Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field. 
• Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection, photographing, carcass recovery, and cleaning. 
• Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen and associated supplies. 
• Assist staff with new admits and daily treatments of patients. Restrain animals for exams, collect vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, take photographs, administer medications, and perform wound care.  
• Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning gear. 
• Assist with releases of rehabilitation patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator trainings. 
• Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, and completing response paperwork.  
• Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS staff.  

 

Required Qualifications 

• Must be at least 18 years old. 
• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have recently graduated (within the last two years). 
• Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50 lbs and walk long distances on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and wind. 
• Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team. 
• Should be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals.  
• Should be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans (preferred) and willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required).  
• Have a background in biology and familiarity with stranding response (preferred).  
• Have experience with DSLR cameras and Microsoft Access (preferred).  

 

Position Requirements 

• Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving upon starting. 
• Possess a valid driver’s license. 
• Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.  
• Comply with all organizational COVID-19 preventative measures. 

 

Internship Learning Objectives 

Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills: 

• Perform post-mortem examinations on sea turtle and marine mammals. 
• Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including vitals collection, wound treatment, administering medications, and blood processing. 
• Complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Marine Mammal Stranding Level A forms.  
• Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access.  

 

Intern Schedule 

Intern is expected to be available 3-4 days per week, 8am - 4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected. 

 

Minimum Commitment Required 

24/32 hours per week for the duration of the internship.  

 

Intern Supervisor/Mentor 

VAQS Volunteer Manager and project supervisor.  

 

Work Location 

Virginia Aquarium’s Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center 

 

Application Requirements 

A complete Stranding Response Internship packet must include the following components: 

• Cover letter including preferred focus area (necropsy or rehabilitation) and internship expectations. While we will do our best to accommodate intern preferences, staff will make the final focus area determination. There is some flexibility with internship start/end dates; please include any known schedule conflicts in your cover letter. 
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center internship application form found at https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/support/work-with-us 
• Two letters of recommendation; one must be an academic reference. Letters can be sent separately to vaqstranding@gmail.com 
• Resume 
• College transcript(s) 

 

Completed Application Packets 

Email completed application packet to: 

Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com and copy vaqstranding@gmail.com. Please type "Stranding Response Intern Application Packet" in the subject line. 

OR 

Mail your completed application packet to: 

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant 

 

For more information, please visit:  

https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/about-us 

Thank you!