The Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Intern supports The Marine Mammal Center’s Maui operations by answering calls from the public, educating, and engaging the public in conversations about Hawaiian monk seals, conservation work, and the Center, help identify and assess the health of the monk seal, direct beach foot traffic, and dispatching the Center’s volunteers to the seal.
Essential Functions:
Dispatch Hotline Support & Outreach Engagement: 95%
- Answers calls from the public, partner agencies, and others.
- Gathers detailed information from callers about location and situation.
- Identify and assess Hawaiian monk seals.
- When a Hawaiian monk seal is on a populated beach will ensure the public’s safety by educating and promoting public awareness about Hawaiian monk seals and the work of the Center.
- Provide public outreach during rescues and responses.
- Assist in rescuing injured or sick Hawaiian monk seals under the direction of management when deemed necessary under NOAA guidance.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Passion for marine and ocean conservation.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service to diverse audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
- Comfortable engaging the public.
- Ability to foster positive relationships with a diverse audience (familiarity with Hawaiian communities, culture, and customs is highly desirable).
- Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
- Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Certifications and/or Licenses:
- Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability.
- Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).
Driving on behalf of The Marine Mammal Center:
This internship requires eligibility to drive on behalf of the Marine Mammal Center and to be covered under the Center’s insurance means that the intern can:
- Drive any of the Center’s vehicles
- Transport patients (in any vehicle)
- Transport the Center’s equipment (anything larger than a backpack to or from a response, release, education, or special event (in any vehicle)
To be considered eligible to drive on behalf of The Marine Mammal Center, the intern must clear the following items:
- Be age 21 years or older as of the date the internship starts.
- Clear a motor vehicle report.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Enrollment in an undergraduate program studying biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field is preferred, but not required.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- Working in indoors and in outdoor weather conditions and elements with frequent interactions with members of the public and volunteers.
- Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination including ability to lift and/or move to 50 pounds.
- Ability to spend extended period on your feet, walking, standing in sandy and rocky conditions potentially in inclement weather conditions.
- Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
- May involve smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
Salary: $500/month
