Conservation Engagement Intern

Description

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Public Programs Manager

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel: This is a part-time hourly position.

· Regular onsite work is required. 

· Weekend work is required.

· Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.

· Travel is not expected for this position.

Compensation Range: $20.00 - $22.00/hr.
Benefits:  

· Sick Time

· 401k Retirement Plan

· The Marine Mammal Center offers benefits to support the emotional wellbeing of you and your loved ones (Employee Assistance Program).

 

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.

Job Summary:

The Conservation Engagement Intern 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 enhances visitor experience and program impact.
 

Essential Functions:

Conservation Engagement Support: 95%

· 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, verifying ticket reservations at the information desk, promoting the Center’s programs, and engaging visitors about the Center’s work and mission.

· Lead tours of public exhibits and behind the scenes areas.

· Perform docent duties as assigned. 

· Answer and direct phone calls in a polite and friendly manner.

· Serve as mentor and guide for Conservation Education volunteers to ensure highest quality visitor experience.

· Maintain and ensure a clean, well-stocked, and safe environment for visitors. 

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

· Perform special projects and research as assigned.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Passion for marine and environmental conservation.

· Ability to provide exceptional customer service to diverse audiences.

· Ability to provide simple conflict resolution, escalate as needed, while maintaining adaptability, empathy, and optimism under pressure. 

· Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment. 

· Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and priorities as set by management.

· Basic knowledge of and experience with reservation/ticketing system preferred. (Experience operating Eventbrite a plus.)

· Minimal skills or ability to learn Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconferencing technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which may include staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

· Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

· Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity equity, and inclusion programs.
 

Qualifications and Experience:

· Current undergraduate or graduate student in environmental education or related field; and 1 year of experience in customer service.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

· This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways. 

· Ability to stand/walk up to 3 hours at a time without a break.

· Ability to sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time.

· Ability to climb stairs and move around the facility for extended periods of time.

· Ability to move up to 30 pounds.

· Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements is expected.

· Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.

· Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.

· Ability to work in an open-cubicle office space environment with many distractions.

· Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

· Involves strong smells associated with animals and the care of animals.

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 advances 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 a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

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.

Salary : $20 - $22