Job Description:

Animal Care & Training Internship – Job description


Objective:
To provide support to Navy Marine Mammal Program Staff while offering students a dynamic educational experience in the field of Marine Mammal Science.


Responsibilities:
Interns assist with eight different projects funded by the US Navy. Projects focus on marine mammal training, husbandry and research. Interns get experience in specialized areas such as open-ocean training, observational research, cognitive research, and veterinary medicine.


Tasks:
Intern responsibilities are split up into 3 categories. Support tasks take up about 60% of the intern’s time. The other 40% of their time is spent doing Session Assistance and Hands-On Tasks. Below is a breakdown of such responsibilities.
Support Tasks
ü Diet Preparation
ü Bucket Scrubbing
ü Hosing Decks
ü Fish House Cleaning
ü Cleaning Boats
ü Assisting In Resource Center
Session Assistance
ü Research Session Set-up
ü Operate Gates
ü Hold/Move Targets
ü Enter Animals Records in Database
ü Assist with Echolocation Acquisition Research
ü Assist with Mother/Calf Research
ü Record Respiration Rates & Dive Times
Hands-On Tasks
ü Assist Trainers with Husbandry Sessions
ü Assist in Animal Physicals & Medical Procedures
ü Hold/Work Animal Sessions
ü Environmental Enrichment
ü Interact with Animals in Pools
Schedule:
Interns work 40 hours per week for 17-weeks (Total of 680 hours). The schedule is 0600-1430 hours with a ½ hour for lunch.
POC:
Erika Putman
Coordinator of Volunteer Opportunities
US Navy Marine Mammal Program
619.767.4100
putman@spawar.navy.mil

Job Requirements:

The internship is offered on a competitive basis to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Marine Science, Biology, Zoology, Psychology, and Veterinary fields. Though the internship is designed for undergraduate students, recent graduates are also eligible to apply. All interns must arrange to receive college credit to be considered for the internship. The internship is a 40 hours per week, 16-week commitment. Interested students are encouraged to send a resume, cover letter, an unofficial or official copy of their transcripts, proof of medical insurance, and proof of US citizenship. In addition, a minimum of three letters of recommendation from professors or employers is necessary to complete the application. The application deadline for spring is October 1st, summer is March 1st, and Fall is June 1st.

How To Apply:

The internship is offered on a competitive basis to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Marine Science, Biology, Zoology, Psychology, and Veterinary fields. Though the internship is designed for undergraduate students, recent graduates are also eligible to apply. All interns must arrange to receive college credit to be considered for the internship. The internship is a 40 hours per week, 16-week commitment. Interested students are encouraged to send a resume, cover letter, an unofficial or official copy of their transcripts, proof of medical insurance, and proof of US citizenship. In addition, a minimum of three letters of recommendation from professors or employers is necessary to complete the application. The application deadline for spring is October 1st, summer is March 1st, and Fall is June 1st.


If you would like to learn more about the NMMP, I encourage you to visit our website at www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/. Please forward all application materials to the address listed below or fax it to (619) 553-2678. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Erika Putman at (619) 767-4100, or email at putman@spawar.navy.mil.

Contact Information