The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) is a non-profit hospital dedicated to
the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured or orphaned
marine mammals. Also integral to the Center's mission are the
research and education programs that expand our knowledge of marine
mammals, and their ocean environment, and inspire global
conservation. Since 1975, TMMC volunteers and staff have responded to
more than 18,000 stranded pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sea otters along
California's central coast. For more information about TMMC, please
visit: <http://www.marinemammalcenter.org>www.marinemammalcenter.org.
The Science Department at TMMC is seeking applicants for a volunteer
internship position in our research division. There are two intern
opportunities, spring and summer.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will participate in the following projects:
1) Assist with necropsies: Necropsies are performed on all
animals that die during treatment at the center. Depending on the
case, some necropsies require a significant amount of sampling.
Primary responsibilities will include: assisting with necropsy sample
collection, data collection, archiving samples, stocking necropsy
lab, and clean up.
2) Data entry and cleaning: The goal of this project is to
improve data integrity, standardization, and volume in the Veterinary
Science Department's databases (FileMaker Pro). These data include
animal care and medical records, diagnostic results, specimen
tracking information, and stranding and disposition details. Intern
tasks may include entry of respective data from hard-copy records and
data checking and cleaning.
3) Specimen archive project: This project will focus on tracking
and optimizing the storage of archived specimens collected from live
and dead marine mammals. Intern duties will primarily include:
freezer inventory.
4) Library project: This project involves cataloging scientific
publications into TMMC's hardcopy and electronic libraries. Intern
duties will primarily include: reference entry using EndNote X,
restocking hardcopy reprints, and scanning hardcopy publications.
5) Animal crew: The selected intern will spend one day on an
animal crew. Animal crew's duties include feeding the patients,
cleaning the pens, restraining animals for feeds and/or procedures.
Training is provided.
In addition, the intern will assist with other duties within the
Science Department as needed, such as filing paperwork, rescues and releases.
Qualifications
Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications:
* Minimum of 21 years of age and engaged in or recently completed
undergraduate studies;
* A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology,
Zoology or a related field;
* Basic computer proficiency, especially with Microsoft Office Suite;
* Comfortable hiking 5 miles and lifting 50 lbs; and
* A willingness to spend a minimum of 12 weeks working full time
(40 hours per week) as a volunteer with our program.
* As there is no compensation for this internship position, and
the successful applicant will be responsible for their own living and
transportation expenses during the time of the internship.
There is flexibility on the start date of this position for both the
spring and summer Internships. Please specify which time slot you're
applying for- spring or summer.
[information on dates didn't format right - contact Christine for
more informaiton]
Application
The following application material is required and should be
submitted electronically (PDF or Word document attachments) to
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]. Please put "Research Intern"
in the subject line of the email.
* Statement of Interest (no more than two pages, double spaced)
that describes: a) your professional interests and career goals, b)
your reasons for applying for this internship, c) why you should be
selected for this internship, and d) your availability and plan for housing.
* College transcript(s) (official or unofficial copy) with all
college-level courses you have taken to-date and the grades you have
received. Please include an explanation of grading scales not on a 4.0 scale.
* One letter of recommendation from an individual capable of
commenting on your academic qualifications and, if possible, research
skills. College or university faculty or research advisors preferred.
Letters of recommendation MUST be sent directly from the person
writing the letter, preferably via email (as an attachment or in the
body of the email).
* Resume or curriculum vitae (no more than two pages) describing
any relevant jobs, internships, volunteer work, scholarships and/or
other activities that you have held or participated in and other
skills or accomplishments that you wish to identify.
If email submission is not possible, application material can be
faxed to
<file:///C:/Users/INOUY_~1/AppData/Local/Temp/tel:%28415%29%20754-4078>(415)
754-4078 (Attn: Christine Fontaine) or mailed to: The Marine Mammal
Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965 (Attn:
Christine Fontaine). It is the responsibility of the applicant that
all required material is submitted by the deadline.
If the intern intends to receive university credit for their
internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with
their educational institution.
