Position Description
Join Our Team
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Internship Program is a rich learning resource for interns and externs, enabling them to partner with the Aquarium in pursuit of our shared DEI objectives and take our mission to the next level. Targeting underrepresented communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), the Internship Program will provide eligible college, undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful work experience under the direction of an Aquarium mentor. The Internship Program is outcomes-based, requiring a project report at the conclusion of the program, further documenting the participants’ growth along their developmental pathway.
Job Summary
For more than 30 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been a key contributor to sea otter recovery in California. Aquarium researchers and policy experts have advanced scientific knowledge, promoted improved management, and raised public awareness of the contributions sea otters make to healthy coastal ecosystems. The Sea Otter Program operates within the Conservation & Science division and strives to understand the health of the wild otter population and to restore southern sea otters along the central California coast.
The Sea Otter Program is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist staff with the care and release of live-stranded sea otters. Additionally, the program seeks to increase the diversity of animal caretakers involved in the field of marine conservation.
Core Responsibilities:
Project responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily care and feeding of ill, injured, and orphaned sea otters, maintenance and cleaning of animal tanks and enclosures, computer data entry. Interns may also assist with rescues of live-stranded otters, tracking of released otters, administration of medication to sick otters, and managing otters in research projects. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently without direct supervision and must have good communication skills. At this time, we are only able to accept applicants who are authorized to work in the U.S and cannot accommodate international applicants requiring visa sponsorship.
Required Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education
- Animal handling experience in a professional environment (must include experience with mammals)
- At least 18 years of age
- Must be a current student at an accredited college or university, or within 1 year post-graduation
- Must submit a resume of courses and/or experience related to position applying for
- Must provide a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation
- Must be / have been in good academic standing
- Six-month commitment of 24 hours each week
- Proof of current tetanus vaccination
- Valid driver’s license
- Project task assignments may include weekends and holidays as assigned
- A project-based report will be required at the end of the internship
Desired Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education
- Strong Interest in and awareness of animal husbandry and marine science/ecology
- Experience with wildlife rehabilitation or handling potentially aggressive animals
- Willingness to get wet and dirty
- Attention to detail
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to multi-task
- Research, writing, academic literature and organizational skills
- Interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with colleagues
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Proficiency with SharePoint a plus
Internship Dates & Pay Rates
The Sea Otter Care Internship will take place July-December 2025 and is a paid STEM Internship opportunity, with a pay rate of $18.00 USD per hour. Housing for STEM Internships may be provided.
The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on April 11th, 2025. Early submission of applications is encouraged.
Application Documents:
- Resume/CV
- Minimum of two letters of recommendation*
- Cover letter/letter of interest (optional)
*Please submit two letters of recommendation to this application or send via EMAIL to mmussey@mbayaq.org
Incomplete applications will not be considered
College credit may also be available. Please refer to your College/University's student services division.
Please direct all questions and inquiries to mmussey@mbayaq.org.
Education
Preferred: Bachelors
Preferred: Associates
Preferred: Some college
For more than 30 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been a key contributor to sea otter recovery in California. Aquarium researchers and policy experts have advanced scientific knowledge, promoted improved management, and raised public awareness of the contributions sea otters make to healthy coastal ecosystems. The Sea Otter Program operates within the Conservation & Science division and strives to understand the health of the wild otter population and to restore southern sea otters along the central California coast.
The Sea Otter Program is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist staff with the care and release of live-stranded sea otters. Additionally, the program seeks to increase the diversity of animal caretakers involved in the field of marine conservation.
Core Responsibilities:
Project responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily care and feeding of ill, injured, and orphaned sea otters, maintenance and cleaning of animal tanks and enclosures, computer data entry. Interns may also assist with rescues of live-stranded otters, tracking of released otters, administration of medication to sick otters, and managing otters in research projects. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently without direct supervision and must have good communication skills. At this time, we are only able to accept applicants who are authorized to work in the U.S and cannot accommodate international applicants requiring visa sponsorship.
Required Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education
- Animal handling experience in a professional environment (must include experience with mammals)
- At least 18 years of age
- Must be a current student at an accredited college or university, or within 1 year post-graduation
- Must submit a resume of courses and/or experience related to position applying for
- Must provide a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation
- Must be / have been in good academic standing
- Six-month commitment of 24 hours each week
- Proof of current tetanus vaccination
- Valid driver’s license
- Project task assignments may include weekends and holidays as assigned
- A project-based report will be required at the end of the internship