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This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding “hot spot,” with an average of over 240 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins.
Internship Duties
- Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data.
- Marine mammal stranding response and necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings.
- Stranding / necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies.
- Data entry / sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc.
- Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events.
Internship Focus Areas
Each intern will be assigned to a focus area of either Response or Necropsy. Interns are paired with staff members based on these particular focus areas and individual tasks and projects will be related to one of these areas. All interns will be cross-trained in stranding response and necropsy, and every effort will be made for interns to gain a wide-range of experiences. Final determination of each intern’s “focus” will be determined by the staff once individuals have been selected for the program. We will make an effort to assign interns based on their preferences. Please indicate in your cover letter your preferred focus area(s).
Veterinary Assistant Internship (open to returning interns only)
An additional focus area, the Veterinary Assistant Internship, is available to past IFAW marine mammal interns that are in good standing. This internship is an opportunity for interested individuals to increase their marine mammal technical skills and gain experience in applied animal welfare and conservation medicine research. This position reports directly to IFAW’s Animal Rescue Veterinarian. For more information on the responsibilities of this position, please contact us at recruitmmrr@ifaw.org. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in this focus area.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and secure reliable transportation.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have graduated within 2 years.
- Must be of good physical fitness, able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in nearshore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions.
- Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Must be able to commit to a minimum 3 days a week for 12 weeks during the internship session. Your schedule will include at least 1 weekend day.
Preferred candidates will also have:
- Undergraduate or graduate study of biology, zoology, ecology, conservation or related field.
- Previous marine mammal stranding response/research experience.
- Previous necropsy experience (marine mammal or other taxa).
- Experience caring for or handling animals.
- Experience driving large trucks.
- Experience in photo-ID. At least one intern per session may assist in seal photo-ID work.
- Flexible daily schedules. (Strandings are unpredictable. Our days may start early or end late.)
Important Information
- This internship is unpaid and housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. If accepted, we will try to provide interns with resources to help find housing.
- Interns may be required to work some holidays.
- Interns should be prepared to perform in a variety of settings on any given day, including office, beach, on-water, and laboratory. Specialized gear such as dry suits, boots and life jackets will be provided.
- Stranding work is unpredictable and changes seasonally. We cannot guarantee the type and number of strandings and experiences you will receive during your internship. We will do our best when possible to give interns a varied experience.
- International applicants are responsible for their own VISA arrangements, etc.
- Interns intending to receive academic credit are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution.
- Please email any questions regarding VISA arrangements, academic credits and general questions to: recruitmmrr@ifaw.org. Only complete applications will be considered. Required application materials (you must provide all 3):
- Cover Letter (indicate which focus area(s) you prefer)
- Resume or C.V.
- Provide names, emails, and phone numbers of two professional references or college professor
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Orientation
New intern orientation will be held June 5, 6 and 7, 2018. All accepted interns are required to attend.
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Future Internship Session Dates:
The IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internships are offered 3 times a year (Winter/Spring, Summer, and Fall). You must re-apply for each session.
2018 Fall Session: September 2018 – January 2019. Applications will be due in June.
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