Animal Care Responsibilities: Depending on need and case load, interns will assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles. Animal Care duties will include animal restraint; cleaning; disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices; diet preparation; administering feeds (including tube feeding); record keeping; facility maintenance; and water quality testing. Interns will also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, animal necropsies, and release events.
Education Responsibilities: Interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, fairs, and festivals. Interns will assist in giving public presentations to guests of NMLC and educate them on marine animals and conservation. Interns will assist in the gift shop, assist with various office projects, create displays for the Discovery Center, and help create lesson plans and activities that are aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks.
Other Responsibilities: At the end of the internship, the intern will present feedback regarding their internship to the staff, volunteers, and members of the public. Each intern will also be assigned a weekly chore to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment, and will be required to attend regularly scheduled intern meetings.
Positions are unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions.
Qualifications
- The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
- Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields.
- Interns should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Students that are adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Interns should expect to work 40 hours per week which will include early morning and/or late night seal feedings.
- If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted.