The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program:
2023 Summer Internship Openings

The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking interns for the 2023 summer 
field season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program 
operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in 
Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. The Soundwatch program 
mission is to reduce vessel disturbance to marine wildlife, particularly the 
endangered Southern Resident killer whales, in the Salish Sea region of 
Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch is looking for 
three interns to help conduct vessel patrols, educate boaters on 
regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and collect data 
while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program 
characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other 
marine wildlife. The data is used to promote better boater compliance and to 
inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel 
laws and guidelines. To learn more, please visit our website and read 
Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications.

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform a variety of tasks including data recording and photography in the 
field aboard small research vessels and in a research office setting.
• Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• Interact with the public during education and outreach events.
• Be able to spend long hours on the water aboard a small vessel, sometimes in 
adverse seasonal conditions. Field days occur at least four to five times a 
week and may exceed eight hours per day.

Internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. Interns are responsible for 
their own housing and having a mode of transportation. This position provides a 
stipend to offset housing costs. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to 
assist interns in locating suitable housing options.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

• Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September.
• Be able to work approximately 35-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun.
• At least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs.), able to 
swim, not easily susceptible to seasickness, and familiar with Microsoft Office 
Suite (particularly Excel) and Google Workspace. Wildlife photography 
experience is a plus.
• Valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license (for the entirety of their 
position) and CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license or equivalent 
safe boating card is encouraged but not required.
• Knowledge of the area and Southern Resident killer whales is preferred but 
not required.
• Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine 
or wildlife sciences.
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as crews will be working closely together 
both on and off water.


HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION:

Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three 
references. Please include start/end dates and passport status.
Submit application materials via email as one PDF if possible, and include in 
your subject line: Soundwatch Internship Application (Last Name).

Active review of applications will begin immediately and continue until 01 Jan 
2023 or until positions are filled, with final selections made before 01 Feb 
2022.

PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Alanna Frayne
Soundwatch Boater Education Program and Be Whale Wise Coordinator
ala...@whalemuseum.org

Feel free to contact with any questions.


Alanna Frayne
she/hers
Soundwatch Program Coordinator
Be Whale Wise Coordinator
The Whale Museum
(360) 378-4710 ex. 33

My response may be delayed during the field season (May-Sept). Thank you for 
your patience.
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