Conservation Engagement Internship

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Education Volunteer Coordinator

Position Classification: 3-Month unpaid Internship; March 1, 2025 – May 31, 2025

Internship Overview

The Conservation Engagement Internship is an opportunity to gain practical hands-on and educational experience at the world’s largest marine mammal hospital, The Marine Mammal Center. This internship will provide the candidate with educational training and support, obtaining knowledge and skills for best practices on educating the public about ocean health topics including ocean trash, sustainable seafood and climate change.

The Conservation Engagement Internship supports the daily operations of the Center’s public programs by providing excellent customer service, serving as a point of contact and resource to the Center’s Conservation Education volunteers, leading tours of the public exhibit areas, providing behind the scenes experiences, and engaging visitors in conversations about the Center's conservation work that enhance visitor experience and program impact. 

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in practical hands-on and virtual learning opportunities.
• Support front of house operations and perform docent duties including greeting visitors, answering questions, handling transactions on the register, promoting the Center’s programs, and engaging with visitors about the Center’s work and mission. 

• Lead tours of public exhibits and behind the scenes areas.  
• Serve as a mentor and guide for Conservation Education volunteers to ensure highest quality visitor experience. 
• Support the Conservation Engagement team with education volunteer management and public program development and improvements as needed. 
• Support at the register with purchases, informing visitors about donation options (memberships, Adopt-A-Seal, etc.) and overall customer service. 
• Ensure a clean, well-stocked, and safe environment for visitors. 

• Participate in the creation and updating of education materials for staff, volunteer, and visitor use.

Qualifications and Experience

• Must be at least 18 years old
• High interest in environmental conservation and marine life.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to diverse audiences. 
• Ability to use or ability to learn to use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Experience operating or ability to learn to operate a point of sales system such as a cash register, credit card reader, and associated hardware and software. (Preferred) 
• Have reliable transportation to and from the facility. Please note the Center is located in the Marine Headlands, an area that is not readily accessible by public transportation. (Required)

• Willingness to work evenings and holidays as needed. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to stand, walk, and climb stairs continuously for up to 3 hours. 
• Ability to remain in a stationary position and move around in an office environment for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.

• Ability to move up to 30 pounds.

Work Environment 

• Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements at times. 
• Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

• May involve smells associated with animals and the care of animals. 
• Frequent interactions with visitors and volunteers. 
• Must commit to at least 2 days a week on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, including most holidays.
• This position requires in-person work at the Center’s Sausalito location up to 100% of the time. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment.  We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
 

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advance ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. 

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter that provides a brief description about why you are interested in this internship.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.).

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.