About the role#
The Sea Otter Care Intern joins the team to support the daily operations of our animal care programs. This is a paid, part-time internship that requires a six-month commitment of 24 hours per week. Interns work under the direction of an Aquarium mentor and complete a project-based report at the end of their term. This role is open to current students or recent graduates who finished their studies in the term immediately preceding the internship.
What you'll do#
- Provide daily care and feeding for ill, injured, or orphaned sea otters.
- Clean and maintain animal tanks and enclosures.
- Administer medication to sick animals.
- Manage otters involved in research projects.
- Assist with the rescue of live-stranded otters and track released animals.
- Perform computer data entry and complete a final project report.
- Work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
What you'll need#
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Professional animal handling experience, specifically with mammals.
- A valid driver license and proof of current tetanus vaccination.
- Strong interest in animal husbandry and marine science or ecology.
- Experience with wildlife rehabilitation or handling potentially aggressive animals.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and a willingness to get wet and dirty.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Strong research, writing, and organizational skills.
- Ability to multi-task and work weekends or holidays as assigned.
- SharePoint experience is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: Monterey, California.
- Terms available: Winter 2027, Summer 2027, and Fall 2027.
- Work modality: On-site.
- Sponsorship: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
About Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit organization based in Monterey, California. Founded in 1984, it maintains living exhibits focused on the marine life of the central coast. The institution operates educational programs for over 100,000 students and educators annually. Its staff conducts research and policy advocacy regarding ocean health, including the Seafood Watch program.
How to get in at Monterey Bay Aquarium
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