Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Medical Director: Dr. Cara Field

Position Classification: Seasonal externship/ rotation: March 1- Sept 30, 2025

Benefits:  No benefits

Position Overview

The Marine Mammal Center Veterinary Externship Program provides veterinary students in their final/clinical year the opportunity to gain exposure to marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, and necropsy. The veterinary student extern will work under the direct supervision of veterinary staff and volunteers, and students will participate in animal husbandry, veterinary examination and diagnostic procedures, surgical and anesthetic procedures, recordkeeping, daily clinical rounds, and necropsies. The student will also complete a project during the externship and present the results to staff and volunteers during the last week of their rotation.

This position requires a minimum of 3 weeks to maximum of 4 weeks duration, between March 1 and September 30 of 2025. (All slots for 2023-2024 have been filled). 

Shared housing MAY be available, for a fee, at the Center’s Guest House located within the Marin Headlands, within walking distance of the hospital: a housing application must be filled out for accepted students who are interested in this option. Transportation is the students’ responsibility: there is no public transportation to the Center’s hospital.

Key Responsibilities

· Work with a robust team of veterinary professionals and volunteers to provide care for stranded, debilitated marine mammals, mostly seals and sea lions including assessment, treatment, husbandry, and critical care.

· Work with the pathology team to conduct post-mortem examination on deceased patients to investigate causes of death and disease processes.

· Investigate and present a research project (topic or case-based) during the rotation.

Qualifications and Experience

·  Veterinary student enrolled in end of 3rd year through 4th year (clinical year) of veterinary school: this position is open to international students.

· Demonstrated interest in marine mammal and wildlife health and pathology.

Physical Requirements 

· Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, and lift up to 50 pounds throughout the primarily outdoor hospital for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions.

· Ability to physically restrain and interact with large and potentially dangerous marine mammals in the rehabilitation hospital setting.

· Hospital environment with use of potent anesthetic drugs, radiographic and other diagnostic procedures indoors and outdoors.

· Ability to remain in a stationary position and move in an office environment for extended periods of time.

· Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.

· Ability to walk/cover up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.

Work Environment 

· Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.

· Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.

· Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements daily.

· Potential exposure to formalin.

· May involve strong smells associated with dead 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 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. 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. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.

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

To Apply: Applicants must submit all the following materials to be considered for this position: incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

1. Cover letter outlining the applicant's interests and professional goals: must include your top 3 choice dates for a 3-4 week rotation. 

2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Two letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. These letters MUST be signed and in letter form, such as a PDF, NOT sent as the body of an email: it is the applicant's responsibility to confirm receipt of these letters. Letters can be uploaded with other application materials, OR emailed directly to training@tmmc.org 

**Please ensure your letter writers indicate WHO the letter is for in the subject line!

Application period is open through December 8th, 2023. The selection process will occur in January-February 2024, with notification to applicants to follow by end of February to early March, 2024.

Inquiries beyond the guidelines above can be directed to the following email address, but please review the information thoroughly prior to contacting:  training@tmmc.org

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.