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Commonwealth Corps: Outreach & Education Specialist

The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. Through hands-on experience, Commonwealth Corps members gain professional skills and valuable knowledge while positively impacting diverse communities in our state.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The two Commonwealth Corps members with Whale & Dolphin Conservation will serve 10 months in a full-time capacity. They will join a diverse corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.

The mission of Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is to amaze people with the wonder of whales and dolphins and inspire global action to protect them. WDC will host two full-time Commonwealth Corps members who will serve as Education Specialist to educate people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities in Massachusetts. Through their service, members will help increase conservation literacy of marine mammals by increasing our number of individual contacts, seek and build strategic relationships with schools, teachers and community partners, and develop high-quality, inquiry-based lessons and activities that will continue to be utilized for years to come. In addition, they will leverage six volunteers that will be engaged in education & outreach.
Essential Responsibilities:

Complete a minimum of 1500 hours of service, serving through June 22, 2024.
Attend a minimum of 6 Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA post orientation.
Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-related activities each week. This include filling out timesheets, completing a bi-monthly reflection or check-in, or other MSA-related tasks or activities.
Facilitate education programs for schools and communities
Seek and build relationships with schools, teachers, and community partners to implement various WDC education programs
Develop creative lesson plans connected to Next Generation Science Standards
Respond to calls and provide outreach to the community on marine mammals and strandings
Develop and complete a project by completion of the service term
Marginal Responsibilities:

Train & mentor WDC volunteers- host a “new volunteer onboarding training” including an introduction to WDC, volunteering policies and procedures, and an overview of volunteer roles.
Attend community events – including festivals, libraries and community centers, and STEM events
Be a part of the greater Commonwealth Corps community, including participating in cross-site learning groups, writing a short profile for the CC newsletter, connecting with other members on our online platforms, and attending optional social/service events.

You must be:
A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
18 years of age at minimum (member age range is 18 – 70+ years old)
Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences
Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way
Experience with Microsoft office
Enjoy interacting with children, diverse audiences and teams
Able to drive a vehicle & pass a background check
Able to lift or move heavy objects and comfortable outside in adverse weather conditions
Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start date
It would also be great if you:

Are eager to dive into new experiences and enjoy having a variety of tasks to work on
Are comfortable with public speaking
Speak a second language in addition to English – multi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply

What You'll Get:
Stipend of $1,200 (full-time) semi-monthly while in service, up to $25,200 (full-time) minus taxes and withholdings;
Health insurance (individual coverage only);
Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
Completion award of up to $4000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA);
Professional development opportunities in marine science;
Vehicle use of WDC company vehicle for service-related travel;
Extensive training from MSA with a diversity, equity and inclusion focus and other professional development opportunities;
Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
Internet reimbursement up to $50/month while required to complete some service from home if required by site;
Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
Mental Health/Personal Day once per month counting towards 8hrs
The opportunity for at least 10 days of planned absences (may include holidays, does not count towards hours requirement);
Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.

Terms of Service:
Position Start Date: August 21, 2023
Position End Date: June 22, 2024
Service commitment 40 hours per week during the following days/times: Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm. Potential for some night or weekend commitments. Members will be required to serve in-person with the potential for up to two days remotely, per week.

How to Apply:
To apply, visit https://form.jotform.com/231154043452142. Early applications are encouraged as applications will be accepted on rolling basis.
Questions about this position can be directed to Lucie Baker at lucie.baker@whales.org.
Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check.

Whale & Dolphin Conservation will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. Whale & Dolphin Conservation welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.

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