Sea Otter Care Intern July-December 2025

Position Description

Join Our Team

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Internship Program is a rich learning resource for interns and externs enabling them to partner with the Aquarium in pursuit of our shared DEI objectives and take our mission to the next level. Targeting underrepresented communities of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) the Internship Program will provide eligible college undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful work experience under the direction of an Aquarium mentor. The Internship Program is outcomesbased requiring a project report at the conclusion of the program further documenting the participants growth along their developmental pathway.

Job Summary

For more than 30 years the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been a key contributor to sea otter recovery in California. Aquarium researchers and policy experts have advanced scientific knowledge promoted improved management and raised public awareness of the contributions sea otters make to healthy coastal ecosystems. The Sea Otter Program operates within the Conservation & Science division and strives to understand the health of the wild otter population and to restore southern sea otters along the central California coast.

The Sea Otter Program is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist staff with the care and release of livestranded sea otters. Additionally the program seeks to increase the diversity of animal caretakers involved in the field of marine conservation.

Core Responsibilities:

Project responsibilities include but are not limited to daily care and feeding of ill injured and orphaned sea otters maintenance and cleaning of animal tanks and enclosures computer data entry. Interns may also assist with rescues of livestranded otters tracking of released otters administration of medication to sick otters and managing otters in research projects. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently without direct supervision and must have good communication skills. At this time we are only able to accept applicants who are authorized to work in the U.S and cannot accommodate international applicants requiring visa sponsorship.

Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

• Animal handling experience in a professional environment (must include experience with mammals)
• At least 18 years of age
• Must be a current student at an accredited college or university or within 1 year postgraduation
• Must submit a resume of courses and/or experience related to position applying for
• Must provide a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation
• Must be / have been in good academic standing
• Sixmonth commitment of 24 hours each week
• Proof of current tetanus vaccination
• Valid drivers license
• Project task assignments may include weekends and holidays as assigned
• A projectbased report will be required at the end of the internship

Desired Skills / Knowledge / Ability / Experience or Education

• Strong Interest in and awareness of animal husbandry and marine science/ecology
• Experience with wildlife rehabilitation or handling potentially aggressive animals
• Willingness to get wet and dirty
• Attention to detail
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to multitask
• Research writing academic literature and organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with colleagues
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word Excel Outlook and PowerPoint
• Proficiency with SharePoint a plus

Internship Dates & Pay Rates

The Sea Otter Care Internship will take place JulyDecember 2025 andis a paid STEM Internship opportunity with a pay rate of $18.00 USD per hour. Housing for STEM Internships may be provided.

The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on April 11th 2025. Early submission of applications is encouraged.

Application Documents:

1. Resume/CV
2. Minimum of two letters of recommendation*
3. Cover letter/letter of interest (optional)

*Please submit two letters of recommendation to this application or send via EMAIL to

Incomplete applications will not be considered

College credit may also be available. Please refer to your College/Universitys student services division.

Please direct all questions and inquiries to

Required Experience:

Intern