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IFAW · 10 hours ago

Marine Mammal Stranding Internship - Summer 2026

Yarmouth, Town of, Massachusetts, United States

Internship

Onsite

Intern

Start in 2026 Summer

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is accepting applications for summer 2026 Marine Mammal Stranding Internships. The role involves assisting with marine mammal stranding response, data entry, outreach, and operations at the Cetacean Intensive Care Unit, while providing interns with mentorship and varied experiences in marine mammal rescue and research.

Non ProfitWildlife Conservation

No H1B

Responsibilities

Stranding hotline coverage: answer calls, document reports, educate callers, dispatch volunteers, complete associated paperwork and enter data

Marine mammal stranding response & necropsy: assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and supportive care, biological data collection, post-mortem examinations and sampling in both field and laboratory settings

CICU operations: assist staff with aspects of CICU operations, including animal care (i.e. in-water support, assist during procedures, monitoring animal behavior etc.), CICU education and outreach, CICU readiness and cleaning, etc. Please note experiences will be opportunistic as cases arise. We do not have a long-term rehabilitation program or animals on-site regularly

Stranding & necropsy readiness: cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response and necropsy gear, equipment and facilities, restocking kits and supplies

Data entry & sample processing: assist in entry of stranding data. Assist in organizing, cataloging, disseminating and archiving of photos, videos, datasheets, samples, etc

Outreach: assist staff with training and outreach material preparation and organization, participate in opportunistic outreach at stranding sites, participate in community events

Qualification

Marine mammal stranding responseNecropsy experienceData entryAnimal careMicrosoft OfficeTeamworkCommunication skillsFlexibility

Required

Must be at least 18 years old

Must possess a valid driver's license and secure reliable transportation

Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, have completed an undergraduate or graduate study of biology, zoology, ecology, conservation or related field (preferably within 2 years of graduation), or equivalent experience

Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to starting the position

Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively and able to work in teams and individually

Must be able to commit to 3 or 4 days per week, which includes 1 weekend day, for the duration of the internship session. As cases arise, interns may be able to assist with overnight coverage in up to 12-hour shifts when patients are in-house at CICU

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred

Previous marine mammal stranding response/research experience

Previous necropsy experience (marine mammal or other taxa)

Experience caring for or handling animals

Experience driving large trucks

Experience in photo-ID

Flexible daily schedules (Stranding events are unpredictable. Our days may start early or end later than scheduled). As cases arise, interns may help provide overnight coverage and care when patients are in-house