Animal Care Training Program Internship

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The Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC) is a hospital for seals and sea lions located in San Pedro. Our mission is to rehabilitate sick and injured marine mammals with the goal of releasing them back to their natural environment, and to educate the public about our work and ocean conservation. The National Marine Fisheries Service depends on MMCC to carry out the important goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. As a non-profit organization, MMCC’s primary funding is provided by individuals, charitable foundations, private businesses, and corporations. MMCC operates with dedicated volunteers and staff working diligently to rehabilitate sick, injured, or malnourished seals and sea lions who are rescued on beaches in Los Angeles County.

Role Description:

The Animal Care Training Program offers undergraduate college students, college graduates, veterinary students, and other individuals an opportunity to learn how a hospital for seals and sea lions provides medical care, housing and food to seals and sea lions in distress and to participate in their rehabilitation. It is designed to provide maximum exposure to pinniped rehabilitation in a short period of time. Frequent participation allows for observation in changes in animal health in response to treatment.

Animal Care Training Interns will assist the Animal Care staff in the patient care necessary to provide our patients a second chance at life. This volunteer intern reports to the staff supervisor on their scheduled shifts and will be on-site at the hospital in San Pedro. Duties may include:

• Thawing and sorting frozen fish
• Making gruel for patients not eating whole fish
• Washing dishes
• Monitoring water quality
• Cleaning pen areas
• Assisting in feeding of patients
• Physically restraining patients as needed
• Assisting with patient admission
• Collecting patient information for NOAA
• Participation in patient release

All intern duties will be taught per staff discretion based on patient caseload, confidence in the applicant's skill level, and availability of staff to properly, safely, and effectively teach new skills.

Commitment:

The Husbandry Training Program is a 300-hour internship, with interns completing approximately 30 hours per week between four regularly scheduled shifts for about 10 weeks. Interns will work alongside Animal Care staff and volunteers on both morning and afternoon shifts. The morning shift runs from approximately 6:00am-1:00pm. The afternoon shift runs from approximately 11:00am-6:00pm. Exact shift times will vary based on patient load.

Participants will commit to start the 300-hour internship on a given month between November and May as selected upon acceptance. The final shift schedule will be selected within 6 weeks of the participant’s start date. The participants will commit to the same shift schedule each week through the completion of the program unless changes are mutually agreed upon between MMCC and the participant.

Requirements:

The Husbandry Training Intern must be 18 years or older. This is a non-paid internship, and no compensation will be given to participants. Students may apply for credit hours, but the participant is responsible for completing all necessary paperwork required by their school. Participants must have their own housing, medical insurance, and accommodations, as well as reliable transportation throughout the internship period. A background check will be required upon acceptance into the
program. The intern should be physically capable of standing for long periods, squatting and kneeling, lifting up to 50 pounds, and be comfortable in the following areas:

* Time Management
* Flexibility
* Following instructions and ability to take initiative
* Stress Management/Composure
* Team player
* Quick learner

The selected candidate will participate in a full screening and on-boarding process including an interview, background check, orientation, and training.

Position Impact:

The Animal Care Training Intern plays a vital role in the care of our patients through the busiest time of the year. Interns progress through the training rapidly due to the high number of shifts per week and will likely work with all three of our most common species: California Sea Lions, Northern Elephant Seals, and Pacific Harbor Seals. They also build lasting relationships with fellow interns, volunteers, and staff members.

Contact:

For questions, or to apply for this important volunteer role, contact the Volunteer
Services Manager at kwong@marinemammalcare.org and include a resume and cover
letter in pdf format.