Internship Program
The Alaska SeaLife Center is sponsoring an internship program for college students or recent 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.
Aquarium Husbandry
Introduces basic animal care and husbandry techniques. Candidate is responsible for assisting in the daily care and maintenance of the Center’s fish and invertebrate collection, life support systems and exhibit development.
Duties Include:
- 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.
Avian Husbandry
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.
Dive
Assists the Dive Officer in developing and administering the dive policies and programs at the Center. The intern will be integrated into the department with assigned duties allowing him or her to progressively assume increasing responsibility. Applicants must be certified as rescue divers by a nationally recognized certifying agency and be a current, active, Scientific Diver (by AAUS standards) able to provide a letter of reciprocity. Preference may be given to applicants holding advanced certifications, broader dive experiences, and other dive-related skills or dive-equipment servicing abilities.
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.
- Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Eider (Sea Duck) Husbandry
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.
Eider (Sea Duck) Laboratory
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.
Interpretation - Avian
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.
Interpretation - Conservation
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.
Interpretation - Education
Splits time between the interpretation team at the front of the house and the formal education team working with school groups. The intern will be expected to interpret live exhibits to the visiting public. The intern will also work with the education team on projects that may include the National Marine Educators Association’s national conference in Alaska, virtual field trip elements, and video creations. The intern may also develop original interpretive programs, curricula, or props, and 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.
- 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.
Interpretation - Exhibits
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.
Interpretation - Mammals
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.
Interpretation - National Park Service
Offers basic interpretation training in a shared effort from both agencies together. Site specific training will be conducted separately by each organization. The N.P.S. recognizes this position on their side as a non-supervisory Park Ranger 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.
- Develop and present briefings, lectures, multi-media shows, structured and impromptu talks, guided tours on and off site, programs to schools, community groups, subject matter specialist and special interest groups about park resources and the rules for park usage, employing appropriate interpretive techniques and devices geared to the characteristics and interest of particular audiences.
- Learn about the park through research and training to develop an in-depth reservoir of knowledge about the KFNP so that the Ranger will be able to deliver a wide variety of presentations on short notice to a plethora of audience configurations.
- Designing programs for school children which will include the NPS Junior Ranger program on the Star of the Northwest tour boat.
- Conducting science education programs.
- 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.
- Developing original interpretive programs and creating interpretive materials.
- Interacting with husbandry and research personnel.
- Performing other duties relating to the ASLC and NPS goals and mission statements.
Interpretation - Public Values Project
Splits time between the interpretation team at the front of the house and the Director of Education. The intern will be expected to interpret live exhibits to the visiting public. The intern will also work directly with the Director of Education to compile information regarding factors that influence the way stakeholders value specific species. Surveys will also assess existing education programs and identify options for improving public education about climate change and shifting wildlife populations. This internship position will require some travel to Anchorage and surrounding areas.
Duties Include:
- Writing and conducting surveys of public attitudes towards marine wildlife in Alaska.
- Writing and conducting surveys that assess existing education methods on climate change and shifting populations.
- Reviewing national efforts in communicating the social values of endangered marine species.
- Analyzing the survey data and preparing a final report, with recommendations for future studies and improvements to educational communications.
- 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.
Laboratory Assistant
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.
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.
Marine Animal Stranding Program
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.
Marine Mammal Husbandry
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.
Steller Sea Lion Research
Participates in research with our captive program. This research 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 and analysis in the laboratory, cleaning and food preparation for the sea lions, prepare equipment and supplies for fieldwork, and data entry.
- Performs other duties relating to the Center’s goals and mission statement as required.
Steller Sea Lion Video Monitoring - Chiswell Project
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.
