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Researcher photograph's a Southern Right Whale
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Photo: Iain Kerr |
OCEAN ALLIANCE INTERNSHIPS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Ocean Alliance offers several internship and volunteer opportunities in different areas of the organization. Our internship program provides individuals with valuable experience in working with a
non-profit organization and encountering whales in their natural environment.
Many of our interns go on to pursue successful careers in marine mammal science or
in non-profit management. While the program can often involve long hours and the
work can be demanding, the rewards of being involved with the organization and the
skills and experiences our interns acquire are priceless. They include:
Internship Program Requirements:
Anyone interested in applying for an internship at the Ocean Alliance must submit the following:
- a copy of your resume or Curriculum Vitae, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two academic or professional references
- a one-page cover letter stating which position you wish to apply for, when you are able to begin working and how many hours you are able to work, and why you wish to apply for this particular position
Optional:
- a letter of reference from someone who knows you well and is familiar with your interest in this internship
Please refer to each individual position listing for age and other requirements.
Please note: all of our internships are unpaid.
Voyage of the Odyssey Internship:
This internship takes place aboard our 93 foot Research Vessel Odyssey. On board the vessel, the science intern is responsible for various types of data collection concerning the whales encountered during the voyage. The intern is also responsible for assisting the Scientific Manager in cutting, storing, and labeling the blubber samples collected for analysis during the Voyage. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to: vessel cleaning and maintenance, and helm and observer watches.
This is a full-time internship, and applicants should plan to spend 2-4 months aboard the boat. Room and board are provided on board. Interns are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the boat, and arrangements must be made to coincide with the schedule of the cruise.
Requirements:
- a strong science background with a course of study in Biology, Animal Behavior, Ecology, or other relevant coursework
- previous experience with data collection (this can be gained through the Field Research and Environmental Education Internship)
- a knowledge of marine mammals
- experience working on a boat
- the ability to get along well with others in a close environment Ð the intern will be living together with several other crew members, and while at sea the crew need to spend many long days together
- all applicants to this internship must be at least 18 years of age, and must have completed at least two years of study at the university level
Because of the number of applicants for this position, we require that prior to going to serve an internship on the Odyssey the intern spends at least one month volunteering for the Ocean Alliance in another capacity, whether completing another internship or volunteering at the OA headquarters in Lincoln. If it is not possible for the intern to travel to Massachusetts to fulfill this requirement, arrangements can be made for the intern to complete a project prior to departing for the Odyssey.
For more information on the Voyage of the Odyssey, or to find out where the Odyssey is currently located, please visit: www.pbs.org/odyssey.
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Field Research and Environmental Education Internship:
This internship is based aboard the Hurricane II of Cape Ann Whale Watch, an affiliate of Ocean Alliance. Interns work aboard the whale watching vessel educating passengers about whales and their environment and collecting data on whales. The whale watch boats take between 150 and 250 passengers on four hour trips whale watching. Two to three interns are present on every trip, usually working on two trips a day during the spring and summer months, and one trip a day during the fall. Interns will also be involved in working at the Ocean Alliance office to gain an understanding of the inner-workings of a non-profit organization.
This internship is based in Gloucester, MA and Lincoln, MA
Responsibilities:
On the boat:
- Educating passengers about whales and their environment using hands-on teaching tools to enhance their understanding of whales
- Collecting data on humpback whales and other whales found in the Gulf of Maine. Interns will also sometimes be responsible for collecting data gauging passenger reactions
- Helping with the general functioning of the whale watch boat
- Answering questions about whales to promote conservation of whales and their ocean environment.
Off the boat:
- Participating in weekly meetings to discuss readings and events
- Entering data once a week in the Gloucester office
- Participating in an intern project at the Ocean Alliance office
Requirements: We are looking for interns who are highly motivated and who are comfortable speaking to small groups of people, teaching or public speaking, or working with children. Because of the emphasis on education, this internship is not only for marine biologists. Anyone with a background in Biology, Psychology, Animal Behavior, Conservation, or Education, or anyone with a love of whales and the ocean who is enthusiastic about teaching and promoting conservation is encouraged to apply. All applicants to this internship must be at least 18 years of age, and must have completed at least two years of study at the university level
The internship program has three sessions. The first begins in early May and continues through the end of July. The second begins in early June and finishes in mid- to late August. The third begins in September and runs through the end of October. Dates are flexible, but interns are asked to commit to at least two full months, and 30-40 hours a week during that period.
This is a volunteer internship. Interns will be required to pay for their accommodations. Group housing will be made available to try to offset the cost of housing.
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Non-Profit Administration Internship:
This internship will take place at the main office in Lincoln, MA. Interns will learn first hand about the inner workings of non-profit organizations. Areas of involvement include but are not limited to:
Development - Assist in grant proposal writing and management as well as communications with foundations and corporations. This aspect requires strong writing and interpersonal skills.
Membership Ð Work on developing and fulfilling the membership program at Ocean Alliance. Activities will include membership administration, merchandise sales, whale adoption coordination, and others. This aspect requires excellent organizational skills.
Education - Communicate with schools about participating in OA's WHALE Education Program, and organize the assembly and distribution of WHALE education kits. This intern will also explore new contacts and prepare offerings for education associations, as well as assisting in school presentations when called upon. The position requires strong writing and interpersonal skills.
Organization - Various short-term projects might include sorting slides, filing, data entry, responding to letters, running information tables at local events, or cataloguing video and audio tapes. Actual projects will depend on current needs and the volunteer's interests.
This Internship position is on a volunteer basis and housing is not provided. OA asks that each intern provide at least a 2 month-long commitment, 20+ hours/week, pending student status and other employment.
Although applicants are typically of college age or older, there is no age requirement for this
position.
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Toxicology Analysis Intern:
This internship takes place at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Falmouth, MA. The position involves assisting Ocean AllianceÕs Chief Scientist at Woods Hole with the preparation of whale samples for analysis, maintaining laboratory equipment, assisting the Chief Scientist with research projects, conducting library research for Ocean Alliance, and assisting the Chief Scientist and the crew of the Voyage of the Odyssey with other tasks. The intern will be involved in many aspects of the analysis of blubber samples from whales collected on the Voyage of the Odyssey.
Because of the amount of training involved, the intern should be prepared to commit at least 3-4 months, and work at least 30 hours per week. This is a volunteer internship and housing is not provided, although Ocean Alliance may be able to assist in finding housing.
For individuals wishing to pursue the position of Science Intern aboard the Odyssey, the two positions can be combined, with the applicant spending 3-4 months at the lab in Woods Hole learning about the toxicology program and gaining the necessary skills, and then applying them in the field aboard the Odyssey.
Requirements:
- a strong science background with a course of study in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or other relevant coursework
- experience working in a laboratory
- a knowledge of marine mammals
- strong organizational skills
- candidate should have the ability to work well independently
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Volunteer Opportunities:
In addition to our internship programs, the Ocean Alliance offers several volunteer opportunities to people of all ages looking to gain experience or just hoping to make a difference. Whether dedicating three days a week or just donating time once a month, volunteers can help out in a variety of capacities. Our volunteers may spend time working in the office helping with administrative tasks or fundraising, or they may contribute their talents on the whale watch, educating passengers through our outreach program. Volunteering for the Ocean Alliance provides an opportunity to assist an organization working for a great cause. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact us and let us know your skills and interests, and we will try to match them with our needs.
To apply for an internship position or to volunteer with the Ocean Alliance, please send a resume and cover letter to:
Cynthia Knowlton
Ocean Alliance
191 Weston Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: 781-259-0423
Fax: 781-259-0288
Email: question@oceanalliance.org
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