Time commitment:
14-week minimum commitment, 3-4 days per week, 7:30am-4:30pm
Summary:
The Marine Mammal Department maintains two outdoor pinniped exhibits featuring Atlantic harbor seals, Northern fur seals and California sea lions. The Marine Mammal Internship Program is designed to be a career learning experience and is best suited for individuals serious about careers in marine mammal training and aquatic animal welfare.
Interns assist training staff in all aspects of animal welfare with a strong emphasis on operant conditioning, training techniques, marine mammal husbandry, and enrichment. Interns play an integral role assisting staff during training sessions and presentations, and work in close proximity to the animals.
Second semester interns will have additional responsibilities and more advanced curriculum and mentoring.
Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Diet preparation
Cleaning exhibits, behind the scenes areas, and items used in training and enrichment sessions
Mentorship with training staff
Assisting trainers during training sessions and presentations
Readings and activities related to training and animal welfare topics
Creating toys for the animals
Conducting enrichment sessions
Public presentations
Interact informally with Aquarium visitors
Behavioral observations
Individual project and presentation
Second semester interns will have additional responsibilities including
Additional public presentations
Marine mammal blogs
Animal identification, data and media organization
Animal training problem solving activities
Shadow/conduct Behind the Scenes Tours
Develop enrichment concepts and catalog enrichment data
Qualifications:
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a serious interest in a career working with marine animals
Interns must feel comfortable bending and walking on uneven and wet terrain and be able to lift 50 lbs
Comfortable using a substantial amount of cleaning with various cleaning agents
Comfortable being exposed to all weather conditions
Knowledge and understanding of power tool safety is an essential requirement