Animal Training
Internship
The Institute for
Marine Mammal Studies (“IMMS”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
established in 1984 for the purposes of public education, conservation, and
research on marine mammals in the wild and under human care. Located in
Gulfport, Mississippi, IMMS has been an active participant of the National
Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the premier stranding
organization in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region of the Gulf Coast with
the capability and expertise to care for sick and injured marine mammals. IMMS
serves as an important educational outlet for the Mississippi Gulf Coast,
incorporating programs for conservation, education and research of marine
mammals and their environment.
Program Description
The IMMS Animal
Training Internship Program is designed as a way for students/individuals
interested in a career in animal care and training to gain valuable experience
in a real-world setting. Interns will primarily be trained in aspects of animal
care, but will also participate in other activities at IMMS. Our goal is to
give interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing
expert training and experience. This is an unpaid position and all interns are
responsible for their own housing and transportation.
Duties
The IMMS animal care
and training staff is in charge of caring for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins,
California sea lions, and large parrots. Interns will work directly with animal
care staff and be exposed to all aspects of the daily routine. Heavy emphasis
is placed on basic tasks such as food preparation, and daily cleaning and
facility maintenance. Interns will learn how to train animals with operant
conditioning through observation and may assist during sessions. Enrichment is
very important to the well-being of our animals and interns will be asked to
design and implement an enrichment device for our dolphins and/or birds.
Interns will also give educational presentation to guests before they interact
with our animals, as well as help staff with daily water quality. Because we
want interns to have a well rounded experience, they will also be asked to
assist in other departments. Interns may participate as 1) environmental
educators and assist in giving presentations to the public, 2) research assistants
that help with our many wild dolphin based research studies, or 3) emergency
responders as IMMS is part of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding
Network and responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.
Eligibility
Requirements
Interns must be:
• 18 years or older.
• A recent graduate
or actively pursuing a college degree in the sciences.
• Willing to accept
the internship as an unpaid position.
• Able to commit to
a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended
depending on work performance.
• Available to work
weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to lift 50
lbs, work long hours on your feet, and work outside in extreme conditions.
• Able to maintain a
positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of responsibility, and a strong
willingness to learn.
• Financially stable
enough to obtain housing and transportation, though IMMS staff will do their
best to assist you in making arrangements.
• Able to comply
with IMMS rules and regulations.
To Apply
Please send the
following documents to: kburton@imms.org with “Animal Training Internship” in
the subject line.
Resume with cover
letter.
Two letters of
recommendation - Provide at least one academic, and one work/volunteer- related
reference if applicable. Letters may be emailed from the applicant or the
person providing the recommendation letter.
A copy of your
current official college transcript. Applicants may submit an unofficial copy.
Full photograph
Documents must be in
one of the following formats - PDF, .doc, .docx, and must be submitted together
with your first and last name and the date in the file name.
Ex)
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Resume,
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Application,
2013Aug_Jane_Doe_Transcript.
**The deadline for
the winter internship has been extended to September 15th**
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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