Tasks will include assessing animal health, wildlife capture and release, and engaging with the public and those who report marine mammals in distress. The Marine Mammal Responder will play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of marine mammals in Los Angeles County and will gain experience working on one of the busiest stretches of the West Coast.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Respond promptly and effectively to calls for distressed wildlife
- Assess the health of stranded marine mammals using MMCC guidelines and protocols
- Work independently and in small teams to safely and humanely capture and handle wildlife
- Safely transport animals to MMCC and assist the animal care team with unloading and intake
- Coordinate assistance from lifeguards, first responders, and volunteers
- Safely utilize specialized rescue and transportation equipment
- Work comfortably on beaches, docks, boats, jetties, cliffs, urban areas, and other uncommon stranding locations
- Operate a 4WD vehicle for long hours on highways, beaches, and uneven terrain
- Collect key data to be stored in the national stranding database
- Perform general vehicle, boat, and equipment maintenance
- Communicate effectively amongst team members.
- Contribute to regularly scheduled meetings focused on continuous improvement.
- Participate in educational outreach, media, and fundraising opportunities
- Represent MMCC at all times while working in a professional and positive manner
- Assist with patient husbandry when needed
- All other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience handling or caring for wildlife
- Experience managing stressful and dynamic environments that require problem-solving and creativity
- Experience working and communicating with a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the public, donors, lifeguards, law enforcement, and other government agency representatives
- Have a strong passion for marine wildlife conservation
- Situational awareness, observational skills, and attention to detail
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Comfortable working on boats
- Knowledge about and ability to identify marine wildlife
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Four-year degree in biological, veterinary, animal husbandry, or related fields or equivalent experience
- Field or lab work experience with marine mammals
- Marine mammal or other large and dangerous animal capture and handling experience
- Skill trailering and operating small boats
- Skill operating a 4WD vehicle on uneven terrain
- First aid or EMT training
- General mechanical, electrical and carpentry skills
- Training or familiarity working within an incident command system
