The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) is sponsoring an internship program for college students or graduates who are interested in gaining an educational experience in a world-class marine facility. ASLC internships offer a well-rounded, educational experience working in a variety of areas within the Center. Depending on the type of internship, duties may include assisting aquarium, avian or marine mammal staff with animal husbandry tasks; helping with marine-related research projects as well as teaching and/or preparing lessons in our education department. Interns will be required to participate in a variety of areas and all interns are required to participate to some extent in the interpretive aspects of our operation. Interns will not be permitted to participate in ASLC activities on vessels unless specified in the internship.
Opportunities are available in the following areas for the
summer 2013 season:
Introduces basic aquatic animal care and husbandry techniques. Candidate is responsible for assisting in the daily care and maintenance of the Center’s fish and invertebrate collection, open seawater and freshwater life support systems, and exhibit development. Duties Include:
Learning and providing care of Alaska fishes, invertebrates and algae in exhibit settings and holding tanks.
Daily diet preparations and feeding diets to marine organisms.
Routine cleaning of exhibits, food prep room and service areas.
Assisting Aquarium staff in development and installation of new aquatic displays.
Monitoring system conditions and water quality testing.
Assisting the Aquarium staff in collecting specimens in the field.
Learning taxonomic identifications of marine specimens of plants and animals.
Maintaining current and accurate records on animal health and behaviors.
Providing information to visitors in our galleries and on behind the scenes tours.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Introduce basic animal care and husbandry techniques. Candidate is responsible for assisting in the daily care and maintenance of the Center’s avian collection and avian exhibit[s]. This position also participates in daily educational talks and/or tours.
Duties Include:
Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of animal exhibits, kitchen and work areas.
Making daily observations and noting the health and condition of the exhibit birds – noting changes in behavior and appearance.
Unloading periodic deliveries of frozen food and maintaining freezer.
Participating in daily educational talks or tours.
Maintaining written computer records.
Assisting in pool cleanings and water quality testing.
Assisting the avian staff in current research projects and data collection.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
The position will be shared between the Dive department and the Aquarium department. The Dive Safety Officer, the Husbandry Director, and the Aquarium Curator will collaborate to assign duties and priorities to the Dive/Aquarium Intern. Must be an active scientific diver.
Duties Include:
Assisting in staff diving functions which may include training in exhibit maintenance, dive tending, dive cylinder filling, planning and logistical support of dives, diving safety, and emergency procedures.
Managing dive gear and assisting in the logistics of group dives.
Maintaining and repairing dive equipment and maintaining logs of equipment maintenance and repair.
Assisting in the care of Alaska fishes, invertebrates and algae in exhibit settings and holding tanks.
Daily diet preparations and feeding diets to marine organisms.
Routine cleaning of exhibits, food prep room and service areas.
Assisting Aquarium staff in development and installation of new aquatic displays.
Monitoring system conditions and water quality testing.
Assisting the Aquarium staff in collecting specimens in the field.
Learning taxonomic identifications of marine specimens of plants and animals.
Maintaining current and accurate records on animal health and behaviors.
Providing information to visitor’s in our galleries and on behind the scenes tours.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Introduces basic animal care and husbandry techniques specific to captive arctic waterfowl species. The position also entails learning about and assisting with endangered species breeding season duties. This position may also entail regular educational talks and/or presentations.
Duties Include:
Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of animal habitats, kitchen and work areas.
Making daily observations and noting the health and condition of the research eiders – noting changes in behavior and appearance.
Assisting researchers with data collection when required.
Participating in regular educational talks or tours.
Maintaining written and computer records.
Assisting in pool cleanings and water quality testing.
Taking care of ducklings when necessary, this may entail irregular hours.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Introduces basic laboratory techniques related to ongoing research on eiders and sea ducks. The candidate is responsible for assisting with various projects including egg dissections, molecular and biochemistry techniques, and routine laboratory duties. This position also may include other projects as they arise such as necropsies and independent research.
Duties Include:
Assist in the laboratory on projects related to sea duck physiology/biochemistry, including processing of biological samples.
Assist with dissections and sample collections from sea duck eggs.
Sample processing assays may include serum protein electrophoresis, DNA extractions, PCR, DNA electrophoresis, serum biochemistry analysis.
Participate in various routine laboratory tasks such as: labeling tubes, washing dishes, organizing samples or paperwork, data entry, and laboratory maintenance.
Assist eider research personnel, as assigned, with other ongoing research projects, processing of laboratory samples, necropsies, special projects, and independent research.
Perform other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Teams with the interpretive staff for 20 hours a week and with the avian staff for 20 hours a week. Assists the avian and/or aquarium departments to acquire the first-hand knowledge needed to interpret these exhibits. Other duties may include creating props and supplies for educational programs and assisting with special events.
Duties Include:
Interpreting exhibits housing live marine birds, fish, invertebrates and mammals.
General husbandry duties such as cleaning, food preparation, and other duties as assigned.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
May develop original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Splits time between the interpretation and conservation teams. The intern will be expected to interpret live exhibits to the visiting public. The intern will also work with the conservation team on projects that include invasive species monitoring and education, as well as a marine debris art project during its expedition phase in the summer of 2012. The intern may also develop original interpretive programs and props, and will have daily interaction with interpretation, exhibits, husbandry, and research personnel.
Duties Include:
Field monitoring for invasive species.
Public education on invasive species.
Logistical support for a large-scale marine debris art expedition.
Other duties as required by Conservation projects.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
Developing original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Splits time between the interpretation team at the front of the house and the formal education team working with school, youth and adult/senior tour groups. The intern will be expected to interpret live exhibits to the visiting public and teach interactive marine science programs to groups, including day programs and nocturne, “night at the aquarium” experiences, interact with teachers and chaperons organize food schedules for youth groups, and monitor groups during their self-guided tours. The intern is required to work a flexible schedule to accommodate variable hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed. The intern will also work with the education team on projects that may include virtual field trip elements, inventory and supply maintenance of education materials and resources and video creations. The intern will have daily interaction with interpretation, exhibits, husbandry, and research personnel. Duties Include:
Present one-hour lessons to classes and other visiting groups.
Logistical support for workshops and conferences.
Assisting with multimedia elements of virtual field trips, presentations, and exhibits.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Teams with the interpretive staff for 20 hours a week and with the eider staff for 20 hours a week. Assists the eider and/or avian bird departments to acquire the first-hand knowledge needed to interpret this research project. The position also entails learning about and assisting with endangered species breeding season duties in an area that is located outside and susceptible to the extreme Alaska environmental conditions. Other duties may include creating props and supplies for educational programs and assisting with special events. Duties include:
Interpreting exhibits housing live marine birds, fish, invertebrates and mammals.
Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of eider seaduck holding area, kitchen and work areas; assist in pool cleanings & water quality tests.
Make daily observations noting health and condition of the research eiders – behavior & appearance changes.
Assisting researchers with data collection.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
May develop original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Splits time between the interpretation team at the front of the house and the exhibits team behind the scenes. Interpret live exhibits to the visiting public, as well as assist with the construction of new exhibits and the maintenance of existing exhibits. The intern may develop original interpretive programs, props, or exhibits, and will have daily interaction with interpretation, exhibits, husbandry, and research personnel.
Duties Include:
Consulting with the Exhibits team on new exhibits.
Design and construction projects as assigned.
Assisting in the maintenance or upgrade of existing exhibits.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
May develop original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Teams with the interpretive staff for 20 hours a week and with the mammal staff for 20 hours a week. Assist the mammal department to acquire the first-hand knowledge needed to interpret these exhibits. Other duties may include creating props and supplies for educational programs and assisting with special events.
Duties Include:
Interpreting exhibits housing live marine birds, fish, invertebrates and mammals.
General husbandry duties such as cleaning, food preparation, and other duties as assigned.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks and/or tours to the public relevant to the marine animal natural history and current research projects conducted at the Center.
Developing original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
Interacting daily with interpretation, husbandry and research personnel.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
This position is a shared effort between Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Site specific training will be conducted separately by each organization. For the purposes of the
National Park Service, this position is recognized as a non-supervisory Park Guide in interpretation.
The fundamental objectives of the work performed in this position are Resource Education, Resource
Protection and Public Use Management. Duties May Include:
Interpret exhibits housing live marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.
Present briefings, lectures, multi-media shows, structured and impromptu talks, guided tours,
learning to employ appropriate interpretive techniques and devices geared to the characteristics
and interest of particular audiences.
Staff the Star of the Northwest tour boat as an assistant to a NPS Park Ranger, who will be
presenting an interpretive program for the duration of a 5-hour ocean tour. Assist the ranger
by providing informal interpretation about the marine wildlife, ecosystems, and environment
in support of the ranger’s overall program and theme. Tour boats are subject to rain, cold, long
periods of standing, and motion sickness.
Deliver the NPS Junior Ranger program on the Star of the Northwest tour boat. Present multiple
demonstrations for the children of passengers, focusing on hands-on and interactive lessons
about marine wildlife, ecosystems, and the environment.
Presenting daily demonstrations, talks, walks and/or tours to the public for both the ASLC and
NPS relevant to the current research projects conducted at the Alaska SeaLife Center and in the
Kenai Fjords National Park.
Interacting with husbandry, education and research personnel at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Performing other duties relating to the ASLC and NPS goals and mission statements.
Provides the intern with work experience in the rescue and rehabilitation effort of stranded wild marine mammals and birds. Applicants should be agile with a good sense of balance in order to maneuver around the exhibits and holding areas.
Duties Include:
Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of quarantine and work areas.
Assist with rescue and release of stranded animals.
Assist with the Stranded Animal Hot Line.
Assist in the care and maintenance of the Center’s rehabilitation animals.
Participate in educational talks or tours.
Maintain and update medical records.
Assist in pool cleanings and water quality testing.
Help to ensure that the rehabilitation clinic and quarantine area is stocked and prepared to receive animals.
Provide assistance to the Stranding Coordinator and rehabilitation staff as needed.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Introduce basic animal care and husbandry techniques. Candidate is responsible for assisting in the daily care and maintenance of the Center’s mammal collection and mammal exhibit[s]. This position also participates in daily educational talks and/or tours.
Duties Include:
Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of animal exhibits, kitchen and work areas.
Making daily observations and noting the health and condition of the exhibit mammals – noting changes in behavior and appearance.
Unloading periodic deliveries of frozen food and maintaining freezer.
Participating in daily educational talks or tours.
Maintaining written computer records.
Assisting in pool cleanings and water quality testing.
Assisting the mammal staff in current research projects and data collection.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
This position is responsible for supporting all functions of the Marketing, Sales & Events Department. Specifically, this intern will support all sales and guest services functions, including ticketing, cafe, special events/facility rentals, and assist with community interface. Intern will:
Learn OMNI ticketing system and interface with visitors to the Alaska SeaLife Center at the point of entry.
Serve as back-up support to Cafe staff.
Assist Marketing and Events staff in various capacities related to special events and functions – promotion, set-up, guest interface and take-down.
Represent the Alaska SeaLife Center within the community through brochure distribution, event promotion and other misc. sales opportunities.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Participates in research with our captive program and other programs as needed. The captive project is investigating reproductive physiology and maternal investment in our captive population of Steller sea lions.
Duties Include:
Conduct behavioral observations of Steller sea lions, which will include overnight observations.
May assist with sample preparation in the laboratory, daily cleaning and food preparation for the sea lions; prepare equipment and supplies for fieldwork, and data entry.
Will not include direct animal care or handling.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Assists with the day to day support of animal related research activities involving Steller sea lions. Candidates should exhibit a strong interest in field based and animal related research work and associated support. Candidates with animal photo identification and behavioral study experience are preferred. Familiarity with MS Access and video recording equipment are also preferred. Applicants should possess the ability to work for extended periods of time while staying focused on the job at hand.
Duties Include:
Operate remotely controlled cameras from a desktop computer.
Assist with behavioral observations, video recording, data entry and management.
Contribute to the evolution and methodology of research data collection methods.
Must be prompt with daily duties and follow a very regimented schedule of observations.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Maintains a thoroughly clean and organized laboratory environment, including tools and instruments. Maintain organized and legible records associated with chain of sample custody, sample processing and allocation, and sample storage. Assist with data entry and proofing. Maintain a high QA/QC standard and assist to improve efficiency of data collection and processing where appropriate. Applicants should be agile with a good sense of balance in order to maneuver around the exhibits and holding areas. May assist veterinarians with record keeping for routine examinations and necropsies when necessary. Job duties will vary from day to day. There is very little contact with animals in this position.
Duties Include:
Assist with set up for, and processing of, routine blood samples taken from marine mammals and seabirds. Work with laboratory technicians to perform plasma/serum separations, prepare blood slides, and obtain measurements of hematocrit, total proteins, fibrinogen, and white blood cells. Perform serum chemistries and cell counts using an automated analyzer.
Assist with the taking and processing of x-rays, creating digital and electronic copies and maintaining image filing.
Assist with weekly water quality testing.
Assist with tracking all incoming samples as well as assisting in shipping samples to outside researchers. Assist with updating medical and laboratory records and logs. Must be able to work with a database computer program. Must be willing to work with frozen samples and in walk-in freezers.
Assist with purchasing, organizing and inventorying consumable supplies for the laboratories.
Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
The application window is currently closed.
Instructions for Applicants:
Carefully review all of the internship requirements and instructions
Complete the internship application above. Be sure to provide us with the best e-mail and phone number for contacting you.
Submit the required additional information via email to the volunteer coordinator. Documents must be submitted in a single email.
Cover Letter(s)
Resume
You may submit applications for up to 2 intern positions. Each position applied to must have a seperate position specific cover letter.
The application period will be open from Dec 10 to Jan 10. Letters of recommendation will be requested from applicants selected for interview the last week of January.
If application is incomplete it will not be considered.
Program Requirements:
Applicants must be college graduates or currently enrolled in an accredited college or university with a background or coursework in a related field.
Applicants must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral instruction, have excellent communication skills, and good organizational skills with attention to detail.
Applicants must possess the ability to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, and be available to work weekends, evenings and holidays.
Public speaking skills, a familiarity with video equipment and software, and experience with education programs are highly encouraged.
Program Information:
Full time (40 hours/week)
Requires a minimum commitment of 10-12 weeks
Housing provided
No college credit required
Intern responsible for travel expenses
Foreign students must obtain a J-1 visa to participate
What our interns say about us:
"I had a great experience; it was everything I could have hoped for. I think that the SeaLife Center has the best overall work environment of anywhere that I've worked."
"It's a great place to kick-off your career, get experience and learn what you like."
"I would highly recommend this internship because it's a once in a lifetime experience to work with amazing animals and people."
"This was the best internship I've ever had. It was very organized and fun. I would definitely recommend it."
"I was given the chance to really assess what I want to do with my life/career and believe that I will be making some changes to my degree program upon returning home."
"ASLC provides a wonderful stepping stone in the pursuit of a career."
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