Marine Mammal Stranding Intern - Admin Intern 1 - Non-Permanent - 2 Openings - 2025-09106
State of WashingtonDescription
Title- Marine Mammal Stranding Intern
Classification- Administrative Intern 1
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Openings
Job Status- Part-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- One (1) year – February 15, 2026 – February 15, 2027
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Lakewood, Washington – Pierce County*Standby-This position may be required to be on standby.
Hybrid/Telework- A flexible hybrid schedule may be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager. However, the successful candidate must be available to report to the Lakewood, WA duty station as needed.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Sea Otter – Photo Credit: Bill Hebner
Ready to make an impact in marine mammal science?
Through this exciting internship with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), you will play a key role in research and conservation efforts.
Gain hands-on experience with marine mammal stranding activities, contributing to the agency’s understanding of local marine mammals and informed decision-making regarding the conservation and management of the ecosystems in which they live.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Marine Mammal Stranding Intern will,
Under supervision of the WDFW Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, assist with the following activities:
- Attending to marine mammal stranding calls, including weekend days and evening hours for portions of each month.
- Triaging stranding responses and determinations if needed, delegation of response as appropriate, or responding personally as appropriate.
- Necropsies and sample collection.
- Live animal stranding responses.
- Beach surveys for stranded and dead marine mammals.
- Cleaning and maintaining field equipment, vehicles, and lab spaces.
- Entering marine mammal stranding data into the WDFW access stranding database.
- Data collection and entry for other marine mammal related projects.
- Training and oversight of unpaid interns and volunteers, including active monitoring live and dead marine mammals response, the completion of stranding response forms, and database entry.
- Participating in education and outreach events.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards: Work occurs in both office and field environments.
- Fieldwork may include uneven, rocky, and cobble beach terrain, marine environments, working in small boats, and potential encounters with zoonotic pathogens.
- Respond to sick, injured, and deceased marine mammals, and may be asked to assist with humane marine mammal euthanasia.
- Conduct routine and repetitive work, walk distances of a mile or more while carrying a load of 40 pounds, periodically lifting things such as animals, equipment, and sandbags (weighing up to 80 pounds) unassisted.
- This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
- Office hazards include fluorescent lights and extensive computer use.
Schedule:
- Typically, seven (7) days a week, as needed. Hours can be flexible and will include work outside of the typical 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. core schedule, coordinated based on availability of permanent staff.
- Part-to-full-time, working approximately 32-40 hours per week during the summer months and 20-24 hours per week for the remainder of the year.
- Routinely respond to calls about stranded marine mammals, from approximately an hour prior to an hour past seasonal daylight hours, including weekends.
*Standby:
This position may require standby. For this position, standby means the employee is responsible for remaining available by cell phone and within a one (1) hour driving distance from the duty station to assist with stranding mammal reports during non-core business hours.
Standby will be scheduled in advance, typically occurring 1-3 evenings per week, and 1-3 weekends per month.
Travel Requirements: This position is located at the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, Lakewood office, with work occurring throughout marine areas of western Washington. Occasional overnight stays in remote or locations away from the duty station and long hours both in the field and at the office.
Tools and Equipment: Typical office equipment, necropsy tools, 4-wheel-drive vehicles, and small boats with trailers.
Customer Interactions: Significant interactions with the public and stranding-network partners in association with stranding response. Must be professional, well-spoken, and non-confrontational when interacting with the public.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Any of the following are encouraged to apply:
- Current students or recent graduates (undergraduate or graduate).
- Military personnel transitioning to a civilian career.
- Individuals pursuing a career change with relevant personal or professional experience in a natural resource science field.
With the following required experiences:
Please note, experiences may be volunteer, professional, or educational.
- Six (6) months in a natural resource science field such as Biology, Wildlife, Fisheries, Pre-Veterinary studies, or a closely related field.
- One (1) year working independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
This position may involve the safe and ethical euthanasia of marine mammals in accordance with established protocols.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
One (1) year or more of volunteer, professional, or educational experience in/with:
- Common marine mammal species of Washington state.
- Mammal necropsy or dissection experience.
- Word processing and data management tools (such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access, and/or Outlook).
- Engaging with volunteers and members of the public to support a program’s activities.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
Union - WAFWP:This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov.
- Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2025-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-09106.
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