Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship

Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship 

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Clinical Veterinarian, Dr. Emily Whitmer

Position Classification: Full-time, One-year position

Benefits: Full benefits including health insurance through UC Davis. Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.    

Anticipated dates: July 29, 2026 - July 31, 2027

Compensation: This position will receive an estimated annual salary of $53,860 through UC Davis.

Program Overview:
This one-year program is designed to train post-graduate veterinarians in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology.   The intern receives mentorship and training from the clinical veterinary team, pathology team, and animal care staff and volunteers at the Center.  The Intern provides medical care for sick and injured marine mammals in rehabilitation, conducts post-mortem examinations, and contributes to teaching visiting veterinary and animal care professionals.  The Intern also develops and conducts a research project in marine mammal health with the goal of presentation at a scientific conference and publication.  The primary focus is pinnipeds, with occasional opportunities with other taxa such as sea otters and cetaceans. The position may include occasional opportunities for field work including large cetacean necropsy, stranding response and/or veterinary support of free-ranging wildlife research projects.
This is a one-year long, full-time, paid position.

Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito. 

This position is a collaboration with the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the Intern is a House Officer in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. 

Essential Functions:

Clinical: 75%

• Conduct patient physical examinations, health assessments, treatments, and sample collection for rehabilitation care and in support of ongoing research projects.
• Develop, implement, and execute diagnostic and therapeutic plans for patients, including euthanasia when indicated.
• Conduct post-mortem examinations.
• Coordinate and communicate with other personnel to ensure continuity and high standard of care.
• In conjunction with other veterinary and animal care staff, advise Response Department personnel and satellite facilities as needed regarding whether response/intervention is appropriate, and when so, guide appropriate response and initiation of care including husbandry and treatment.
• Provide evening, on-call, in-person animal care in response to patient emergencies in Sausalito.
• Provide evening, on-call, remote animal care through telephone and text communication with staff and volunteers at all California facilities: Sausalito Hospital, Monterey Bay Operations, and San Luis Obispo Operatons.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient medical and husbandry records in a primarily electronic medical records database, including specific reports required for protected species in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Record controlled drug use in compliance with DEA regulations.

Research: 10%

• Develop and conduct a research project in marine mammal health and present results such as through attendance at a scientific conference and peer-review publication.
• Contribute to data and sample collection for ongoing marine mammal health research projects.

Leadership & Education: 10%

• Contribute to instruction of participants in the Center’s Teaching Hospital program in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology.
• Provide guidance, advice, and consultation for questions and concerns animal care volunteers.
• Represent and promote the Center’s science and health programs to external parties such as donors and media.

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work closely and safely with wild animals, which requires physical strength, dexterity, and situational awareness.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team.
• Ability to react appropriately and calmly in emergency situations.
• Energy and enthusiasm for working with staff and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and differing ability levels.
• Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
• Practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with people of diverse backgrounds.

Education and Experience:

• DVM or equivalent degree from AVMA-accredited veterinary college.
• Minimum 1 year experience practicing veterinary medicine.

Certifications and/or Licenses:

• California State license to practice veterinary medicine or ability to obtain licensure prior to initiating employment.
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability.
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).

Work Environment & Physical Requirements: 

• This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
• Work occurs in outdoor weather conditions and elements throughout the year.
• Hospital environment with utilization and potential exposure to potent anesthetic drugs and toxic substances including formalin and disinfectant agents. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment, particularly during operation of radiologic equipment with potential exposure to radiation.
• Routine use of medical equipment such as digital radiology machines, endoscopy equipment and laboratory equipment (centrifuge, etc.).
• Rare work in a field environment may include terrestrial and marine/boat-based work and require hiking to some observation points or acting as part of a boat crew (minimal). The individual may also participate in cetacean mortality investigations.
• Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
• Involves smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
• Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion and tasks.
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to crouch down, move quickly, and work with large animals.
• Ability to spend extended periods on standing, walking, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for this position:

1. Letter of intent that addresses the following prompts:
   1. What are your professional goals and how will an internship at the Center contribute to achieving these goals?
   2. What are your experiences in teaching and mentoring others?
   3. How does marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release contribute to ocean conservation?
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Name, email address, and phone number of at least two professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.

Application period is open through January 4th, 2026. Selection process and interviews will occur in January 2026, with notification to applicants to follow by the end of January/early February 2026. All applicants will receive communication of decision in advance of the February 13 VIRMP withdrawal deadline.

Inquiries can be directed to the following email address: training@tmmc.org

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

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