Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California   

Reports to: Associate Pathologist - Maggie Martinez

Position Classification: Seasonal externship 

Benefits:  No benefits  

Position Overview 

The Pathology Veterinary Student Externship is an opportunity for veterinary students in their final/clinical year to gain experience in marine mammal anatomy and pathology. During their time at The Marine Mammal Center, they will conduct necropsies and provide postmortem data on our patients and select carcasses, which consists of phocids, otariids, and the occasional cetacean and sea otter. There is no clinical component to this externship. 

This position requires a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 4 weeks onsite between March through September.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Perform gross necropsies and write necropsy reports.  
• Learning collection techniques for sampling for histology and other diagnostics 

Qualifications and Experience 

• DVM student in 4th year of veterinary school  
• Have a primary interest in pathology (no clinical interest) 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to remain in a stationary position and move in an office and laboratory environment for extended periods of time
• Ability to climb stairs and move around the facility for extended periods of time
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment 90% of the time  
• Ability to walk/cover up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis   
• Ability to frequently move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across site and locations  

Work Environment   

• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases  
• Potential exposure to formalin 
• Exposure to sharp instruments and needles 
• Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements 10% of the time  
• May involve strong smells associated with dead animals and the care of animals 
• Standing in one place for long durations of 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 advances global conservation through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, scientific 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, CV, and 2 letters of recommendation, including at least 1 letter from a pathologist. Please have letters of recommendation sent to training@tmmc.org directly from references with the subject line “Applicant-Your name”.  Application is open September-December 2023. Applications will be reviewed January 2024. Notification of application acceptance or denial will be sent February 2024.

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.