What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conservation Engagement Intern position at The Marine Mammal Center?
Description
We’re Hiring!
Conservation Engagement Intern
Location of Position: Sausalito, CA
Reports to: Public Programs Manager
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
- This is a regular part-time position
- This position is 3-months, approximately May – August 2026
- Regular onsite work is required
- Weekend work is required
- Days and hours of the work week may vary according to the needs of the Center
- Travel is not expected for this position
Compensation Range: $20.00 - $22.00/ hour
Benefits:
- Holidays
- Sick Time
- Vacation
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- 401k Retirement Plan
- The Marine Mammal Center offers benefits to support the emotional wellbeing of you and your loved ones (Employee Assistance Program)
Job Summary:
The Conservation Engagement Internship is an opportunity to gain practical hands-on and educational experience at the world’s largest marine mammal hospital, The Marine Mammal Center. This internship will provide educational training and support, obtaining knowledge and skills for best practices on educating the public about ocean health topics including ocean trash, sustainable seafood, and climate change.
Essential Functions:
Conservation Engagement Support: 85%
- Participate in practical hands-on and virtual learning opportunities.
- Support front of house operations and perform docent duties including greeting visitors, answering questions, handling transactions on the register, verifying ticket reservations at the information desk, promoting the Center’s programs, and engaging visitors about the Center’s work and mission.
- Support the Public Programs Team Lead through radio communication and volunteer assistance.
- Lead tours of public exhibits and behind the scenes areas.
- Perform docent duties as assigned.
- Maintain and ensure a clean, well-stocked, and safe environment for visitors.
Capstone Project: 10%
- Assess and define the scope, scale, and objectives of a conservation engagement resource.
- Lead the development and implementation of the conservation engagement resource.
- Deliver a formal presentation of the resource to internal teams and Center leadership.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
- Perform special projects and research as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Passion for marine and environmental conservation.
- Ability to provide exceptional customer service to diverse audiences.
- Ability to provide simple conflict resolution, escalate as needed, while maintaining adaptability, empathy, and optimism under pressure.
- Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
- Ability to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out their duties.
- Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and priorities as set by management.
- Minimal skills or ability to learn Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
- Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating self-awareness, respect, and professionalism.
- Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Experience equivalent to being currently enrolled in or recently graduated student in environmental education or related field or 1 year of experience in customer service.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
- Ability to stand/walk up to 3 hours at a time without a break.
- Ability to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to climb stairs and move around the facility for extended periods of time.
- Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements is expected.
- Ability to move and/or lift up to 30 pounds occasionally.
- Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion.
- Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
- Ability to work in an open-cubicle office environment with many distractions.
- Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
- Involves strong smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education.
For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
Salary : $20 - $22