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Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program – 2025 Summer Batten Fellowship

The Virginia Aquarium’s Veterinary Science & Research Division is now accepting applications for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellowship.

Fellow Application Deadline: 2/15/2025

For more information, including duties, position requirements, and how to apply, visit https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/support/work-with-us or email strandingvolmgr@vbgov.com with any questions.

Position Overview:

Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) Fellows promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, response, rehabilitation, necropsy and education. Fellows will be trained in all aspects of stranding response. Stranding work is unpredictable; therefore, experiences will vary by fellowship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session. Batten Fellows are also expected to complete a focused research project. We work with each accepted Batten Fellow to select a project from predetermined options based on their background, experience, and interests.

Fellowships will be 400 – 800 hours (~3-6 months), depending on the candidate's availability, with a start date around May/June. Start and end dates are flexible.

This competitive position includes $15 per hour compensation to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the course of the appointment period. Housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Fellows are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

The fellow is expected to be available 4-5 days per week, 8:00am-4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected.

Contact: Shawn Reid
Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com

Marine Education Intern

Summer 2025 Internship Opportunity

The Center for Coastal Studies is a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting scientific research with emphasis on marine mammals of the western North Atlantic and on the coastal and marine habitats and resources of the Gulf of Maine. CCS has been conducting research and marine and coastal educational programs on Cape Cod for 49 years.

Education Responsibilities-Intern/s will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, and festivals, including CCS’s signature summer week of events: Whale Week: A Celebration of the Sea, and Whale Camp. Interns will assist in staffing the Center’s SEASpace Marine Discovery Center, and beach pop-up tents; designing and delivering presentations, answering questions about CCS, marine animals (especially whales, seals and sharks) and ocean conservation issues, and other general duties.
Position is paid part-time (20hrs per week). Interns must have their own transportation. Limited shared housing is available for candidates who qualify.

Qualifications-
• The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
• Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards environmental studies, education, marine science, biology or other related fields.
• Intern should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intern should be a self-starter able to take responsibility for completing projects.
• Students that are adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must be comfortable working with all ages, especially children 5-10 years old.
• Must be comfortable working outside in all conditions.
• Must be comfortable working with and handling marine species.
• Must be able to carry at least 30lbs over short distances.
• Interns must be able to commit to at least two-three months; preferred start date-end date mid June to mid August, but dates are flexible based on school schedules.
• Interns must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Schedule is flexible but intern may have to work some weekends and evenings.

To Apply- Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Valerie Daniels at employment@coastalstudies.org or 5 Holway Ave, Provincetown, Massachusetts 02567. Applications must be received by March 7, 2025.

Mystic Aquarium-UConn Avery Point REU Internship

Applications are currently open until February 15th for the 2025 Mystic Aquarium-UConn Avery Point Research Experiences for Undergraduates Internship. This is a paid internship ($700/week stipend plus $175/week for living and food expenses) for students interested in research experience. Accepted students are paired with a mentor from either the Mystic Aquarium Research Department or UConn Avery Point's Department of Marine Sciences and undertake a research project of their own during the 10 week internship. The dates for the 2025 internship are June 2nd to August 8th. Students are also given professional development and aquarium shadow opportunities throughout the summer.
For more information and to apply, please visit our website at: https://www.mysticaquarium.org/research-and-conservation/research-experiences-for-undergraduates-2/. Please contact reu@mysticaquarium.org or dlavoie@mysticaquarium.org with any questions.

Marine Mammal Conservation Internship – On-Demand Fishing

Submission period: Open through December 9, 2024, 11:59 PM ET, or until we reach a maximum of 50 applications, whichever comes first.

IMPORTANT: WDC has a blind hiring process to remove biases in candidate selection. To preserve our ability to fairly review applicants, please DO NOT contact us or have your reference reach out to us regarding the status of your application. We will contact all applicants with the result of your application. Please be patient as this may take a few weeks.

Paid, temporary, full-time
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. We have two open positions for this temporary, full-time, paid internship. The internship dates are for spring between February – May 2025 and summer between May – August 2025.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 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 assist Education & Outreach staff while significantly contributing to the development of on-demand fishing curriculum and partnership development. Secondarily, the candidate will assist in Marine Animal Rescue and Response. Occasional opportunities to see whales at sea may also be possible, though no part of this position requires being in the water. A large percentage of the candidate’s work week will take place in our office. Opportunities to deliver education programs or assist in animal strandings may occur outside of the office but cannot be guaranteed.
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.

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 and, as a result, our hiring procedure is a blind process, and we do not accept cover letters or resumes.

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 (around 50 pounds) 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
• As our work sometimes includes interactions with large crowds of people as well as direct contact with wild animals, we ask that our staff be fully vaccinated (including against COVID-19) unless employee qualifies for exception under applicable law. CDC communicable disease 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 education partnership opportunities for on-demand programming
• Supporting WDC's efforts to advance its on-demand gear trials and education initiatives
• 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.
• Supporting WDC policy initiatives including efforts to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

The programs this internship supports are as follows:
Education
WDC’s formal and informal educational efforts include creating lesson plans, facilitating inquiry-based activities, developing and delivering 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.
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 maintaining response readiness. It's important to note that stranding events are unpredictable and hands-on experience and species encountered will vary.
Funding and support for these paid internships was generously provided by the Binnacle Fund of the Tides Foundation.

To apply: https://form.jotform.com/243265508745159

Spring 2022 Marine Mammal Stranding Internship – ALMMSN

The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN) located at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) in Dauphin Island, AL, is recruiting a highly motivated intern to assist with marine mammal stranding response in coastal Alabama. ALMMSN is a cooperative regional stranding network partner and works in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to respond to dolphin, whale, and manatee strandings. Our primary goal is to enhance reporting and response efforts for marine mammal strandings to ensure collection of consistent, high-quality data that are used to evaluate causes of strandings and/or death. This internship is a physically demanding position, as field response and necropsy events often create long days in a variety of weather conditions. This intern will gain useful knowledge, skills, and experience in the fields of marine biology and marine mammalogy.

Internship Dates: 3 to 5 months starting as early as January 2022 (3 month minimum; may be extended based on intern performance and availability; start/end dates flexible)

Daily duties include: Field stranding response, data collection, data management, participation in necropsy events, sample handling, and equipment/lab maintenance/cleaning. Interns will also have the opportunity to complete an independent research project based on relevant interests, culminating in a presentation.

Qualification requirements:
• be a student or recent graduate (within 0-2 years) of a biology/marine biology, marine science, oceanography, zoology, or related program (non-traditional students encouraged to apply);
• have interest in marine mammal biology, physiology, and anatomy;
• have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record;
• be 18 years or older;
• be physically fit and a confident swimmer;
• able to lift at least 50 lbs and drag at least 100 lbs;
• have the ability to endure unpleasant field conditions including temperatures between 30°F-100°F, rain, humidity and biting insects;
• have the ability to work at least 30 hrs/week (no more than 35) including one weekend day per week (nights and holidays may be required as necessary with fieldwork);
• show proof of fully vaccinated status against COVID-19 before start date.
o Having knowledge of digital SLR cameras and lenses is a plus.

This position is paid ($10-12 per hour). Intern is responsible for providing their own housing and transport to DISL. Assistance finding housing can be provided. Applicant must be eligible to legally work in the U.S. for the duration of the internship period; no visa assistance can be provided. Interested applicants must send a cover letter, CV, and dates of availability to almmsn@disl.org by November 15th, 2021 to be considered.
Resources for the construction of such documents are available online and at most institutions’ Career Services departments, such as https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/careerservices/job.html.
Preference will be given to applicants who can stay through the entire internship period. Application review will begin immediately.

DISL is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from a diverse pool of prospective interns without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic or any other identity information. DISL and ALMMSN recognize that a diversity of perspectives, lived experiences, ideas, and passions allows us to better meet our goal of ocean-literate communities in Alabama and that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to achieving our mission. It is the intent of the ALMMSN to be fair and impartial in all of its relations and to recognize and respect the individual.

More information about ALMMSN and the Marine Ecosystem Response Laboratory can be found at http://almmsn.disl.org/, https://www.disl.edu/research/marine-mammal-research-program or by contacting ALMMSN at almmsn@disl.org.

Mystic Aquarium REU Summer 2022

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND AT https://www.mysticaquarium.org/learn/collegiate/reu/.

Our REU program offers a unique collaboration between the renowned Mystic Aquarium and a leading institute of higher education, the University of Connecticut, Avery Point, located on Long Island Sound. In fact, we are the only aquarium in the U.S. to have an REU! With us, you will gain access to both Aquarium and University resources and expertise. In addition to the focus on cutting-edge marine research, we also give our students extensive training in professional development, teamwork and a true view into the world of research. We ensure our students are given all the keys to be successful. All research projects will be carried out at UConn, while professional development activities, seminars and job shadows will take place at Mystic Aquarium. All students will be given access to Mystic Aquarium throughout the 10 week period from June 6 – August 12, 2022.

All student projects will revolve around the central question of
“How do environmental stressors affect the physiology, behavior, and ecology of phytoplankton and marine animals in relation to the marine ecosystem?”
Each REU student, under the guidance of their mentor, will focus their research on an individual link in the food chain. Each student will be expected to develop their own research question and project; be given independence but support to complete it. Throughout the program, students will come together to discuss how their results relate to those of their classmates in addressing the overarching question. Thus, students will gain an understanding not only of their individual research topic, but how a project contributes to the “big picture” of science as a whole.

Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellowship

The Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is now accepting applications for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellows. The application deadline is January 20, 2020. Fellows are expected to work 800 hours over approximately five months beginning in May, but actual start and end dates are somewhat flexible. Housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. Fellows are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit. This competitive position includes modest compensation to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the course of the appointment period.

Position Overview
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) Fellows promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Fellows will be trained in all aspects of stranding response. Stranding work is unpredictable, therefore experiences will vary by fellowship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session.

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 & entry, photographing, report writing, carcass removal, and cleaning.
– Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen and associated supplies and equipment.
– Assist staff with new patients, including: daily treatments, restraining animals for exams, collecting vital rates (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, taking photographs, administering medications, and performing wound care.
– Assist with research projects and field activities involving sea turtles and marine mammals.
– Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, and cleaning/restocking gear and supplies.
– Assist with releases of rehabilitation patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator training.
– Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, completing response paperwork, and when trained acting as stranding and live animal lead (under the supervision of a staff member), as well as acting as after-hours hotline point of contact.
– Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS staff.

Required Qualifications
– Must be at least 18 years old.
– Must be a rising junior, recent graduate, or currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in a science-based (or veterinary) program.
– Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
– Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50lbs and walk long distances (>5 mi/8 km) on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and/or wind.
– Be able to swim and be comfortable in and around open water and boats.
– Be willing to learn how to drive response vehicles, if accepted (required).

Preferred Qualifications
– Demonstrate interest in a career in marine or veterinary science.
– Have some experience in stranding response, field research, and/or wild/exotic animal care.
– Have basic math and computer skills using MS spreadsheets, relational databases, and data entry (advanced programs such as SQL, GIS, R, etc. preferred).
– Be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals.
– Be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans.

Position Requirements
– Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving.
– Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
– Be available to perform support activities (24-7) as needed during the period of appointment.

Fellowship Learning Objectives
– Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills:
– Perform basic post-mortem examinations on sea turtle and marine mammals.
– Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including collecting vital rates, treating wounds, administering medications, and processing blood samples.
– Be able to complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Marine Mammal Stranding Level A forms.
– Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access.
– Complete an individual project with a final deliverable (paper/report and oral presentation).

Fellow Schedule
Fellow is expected to be available 4-5 days per week, 8am-4:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected.

Minimum Commitment Required
800 hours

Fellow Supervisor/Mentor
VAQS Volunteer Manager and project supervisor

Work Location
Virginia Aquarium’s Marine Animal Care Center

Application Requirements
A complete application includes:
– Cover letter. There is some flexibility with Fellowship start/end dates; please include any known schedule conflicts in your cover letter. Please indicate the specific Batten Fellowship opportunity to which you are applying.
– Fellowship expectations letter. This should include what you expect to do and get from your experience at VAQS.
– Resume
– College transcript(s)
– Two letters of recommendation; one must be an academic reference.

If applying via email, please send application to interns@virginiaaquarium.com and send a copy of the application to vaqstranding@gmail.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If applying via mail, please send application to:
Volunteer Services Office – Batten Fellows
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

For more information about the application process, please visit:
https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/about-us/Pages/Fellowships.aspx