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About Us
  • Our Mission
  • Our History
  • Our Dolphins
  • Our Team
Support Plan Your Visit
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder
  • Connect
    • Experience
      • Swim with Dolphins
      • Interact With Dolphins
      • Tours
      • Events
    • Plan
      • Plan Your Visit
      • FAQs
    • Education
      • Classes
      • Internships
      • Volunteers
      • Blog
  • Protect
    • Rescue
      • Strandings
      • Our Future
      • Support Rescue
    • Research
      • Photo Identification
      • Our Research Topics
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Dolphins
    • Our Team
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Internships

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Gain Hands On Experience Caring for Marine Mammals

Our team knows first-hand the value of combining your theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning, and we know that internships provide the perfect environment for this impactful work experience. We all started there. Now, it's our turn to share our experience and "tricks of the trade" with the next generation of marine mammal conservationists. 

We're proud to welcome college students and recent graduates from around the world to DPMMR for experiential-based internships. It's our hope that the knowledge we impart to our interns will transcend beyond the walls of DPMMR and go on to benefit whales & dolphins in every ocean.  

Internships

 

Participants of the Level 1 ACT internship are invited to apply to our advanced  Level 2 Animal Care & Training internship. 

The Level 2 Animal Care & Training Internship builds on the foundation developed during the level 1 internship to advance participant's skillset and understanding of marine mammal care and training. Level 2 interns are given additional responsibilities and opportunities designed to develop and polish the skills needed for an entry-level position in the animal care & training field. Level 2 interns assist with training and clearing Level 1 interns on certain tasks, have the opportunity to facilitate guest interactions, and continue developing animal training skills by completing a second set of training practicums. Participants will have the opportunity to earn an audible bridge. This advanced internship has a heavy emphasis on hands-on training and developing problem-solving skills necessary for success within the field. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

  • All duties assigned during level one internship 
  • Assist with training and leading level one interns 
  • Write shaping plans and assist mentor with shaping a novel behavior 
  • Participate in husbandry duties not assigned during Level One 
  • Narrate guest interactions and behavior set-ups 
  • Manage daily records 
  • Facilitate enrichment sessions 
  • Participate in trainer lecture series, pass associated quizzes, and execute advanced training practicums

Requirements: 

  • Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship 
  • Must have completed at least 1 semester of college 
  • Must be willing to accept position as unpaid 
  • Must be available for 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks
  • Must have completed level 1 internship within 12 months of applying to Level 2 Internship 

Application Details: 

A complete application must be submitted electronically, via email, before being considered for an internship position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed 3-4 months prior to the start date of each internship session. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible to the season they wish to participate in. 

Complete Application Includes: 

  • Completed & Signed DPMMR Application (Level 2) 
  • Updated Resume 

Tentative Internship Session Start Dates : 

  • Spring - Mid- February 
  • Summer - Mid - May 
  • Fall - Mid- August 
  • Winter - Mid - November 

Please email completed application to intern@dpmmr.org at-least three to four months prior to the start date of the session you wish to apply for. 

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder welcomes students and recent graduates worldwide to apply for an internship within our Animal Care & Training (ACT) department. The level 1 Animal Care & Training Internship is designed to give participants practical hands-on experience with marine mammal care, including participation in all aspects of the daily care & training of our Common bottlenose dolphins. Interns can expect to work alongside our animal care staff as they progress through a detailed training practicum, providing foundational skills needed to obtain an entry-level position within the field of animal care.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

  • Deliver up to 30 minute educational presentations to guests
  • Prepare animal diets
  • Maintain facility protocols and sanitary conditions of support areas 
  • Assist training staff with the shaping and maintenance of animal behavior by participating in a variety of training sessions 
  • Participate in husbandry care including voluntary slide-outs and hydrations 
  • Conduct daily observations of resident dolphins and collect husbandry data 
  • Contribute to facility maintenance and general operations 
  • Plan and implement enrichment sessions 
  • Attend lecture series, pass associated quizzes, and participate in assigned training practicums

Requirements: 

  • Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship 
  • Must have completed at least 1 semester of college 
  • Must be willing to accept position as unpaid 
  • Must be available for 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks 

Application Details: 

A complete application must be submitted electronically, via email, before being considered for an internship position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed 3-4 months prior to the start date of each internship session. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible to the season they wish to participate in. 

Complete Application Includes: 

  • Completed & Signed DPMMR Application (Level 1) 
  • Cover Letter 
  • Resume 
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation from Professional or Academic Reference (Cannot be from a family member or friend) 

Tentative Internship Session Start Dates : 

  • Spring - Mid- February 
  • Summer - Mid - May 
  • Fall - Mid- August 
  • Winter - Mid - November 

Please email completed application to intern@dpmmr.org at-least three to four months prior to the start date of the session you wish to apply for. 

Download Application
Download FAQs

Animal Care & Training Level 2

 

Participants of the Level 1 ACT internship are invited to apply to our advanced  Level 2 Animal Care & Training internship. 

The Level 2 Animal Care & Training Internship builds on the foundation developed during the level 1 internship to advance participant's skillset and understanding of marine mammal care and training. Level 2 interns are given additional responsibilities and opportunities designed to develop and polish the skills needed for an entry-level position in the animal care & training field. Level 2 interns assist with training and clearing Level 1 interns on certain tasks, have the opportunity to facilitate guest interactions, and continue developing animal training skills by completing a second set of training practicums. Participants will have the opportunity to earn an audible bridge. This advanced internship has a heavy emphasis on hands-on training and developing problem-solving skills necessary for success within the field. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

  • All duties assigned during level one internship 
  • Assist with training and leading level one interns 
  • Write shaping plans and assist mentor with shaping a novel behavior 
  • Participate in husbandry duties not assigned during Level One 
  • Narrate guest interactions and behavior set-ups 
  • Manage daily records 
  • Facilitate enrichment sessions 
  • Participate in trainer lecture series, pass associated quizzes, and execute advanced training practicums

Requirements: 

  • Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship 
  • Must have completed at least 1 semester of college 
  • Must be willing to accept position as unpaid 
  • Must be available for 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks
  • Must have completed level 1 internship within 12 months of applying to Level 2 Internship 

Application Details: 

A complete application must be submitted electronically, via email, before being considered for an internship position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed 3-4 months prior to the start date of each internship session. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible to the season they wish to participate in. 

Complete Application Includes: 

  • Completed & Signed DPMMR Application (Level 2) 
  • Updated Resume 

Tentative Internship Session Start Dates : 

  • Spring - Mid- February 
  • Summer - Mid - May 
  • Fall - Mid- August 
  • Winter - Mid - November 

Please email completed application to intern@dpmmr.org at-least three to four months prior to the start date of the session you wish to apply for. 

Animal Care & Training Level 1

Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder welcomes students and recent graduates worldwide to apply for an internship within our Animal Care & Training (ACT) department. The level 1 Animal Care & Training Internship is designed to give participants practical hands-on experience with marine mammal care, including participation in all aspects of the daily care & training of our Common bottlenose dolphins. Interns can expect to work alongside our animal care staff as they progress through a detailed training practicum, providing foundational skills needed to obtain an entry-level position within the field of animal care.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

  • Deliver up to 30 minute educational presentations to guests
  • Prepare animal diets
  • Maintain facility protocols and sanitary conditions of support areas 
  • Assist training staff with the shaping and maintenance of animal behavior by participating in a variety of training sessions 
  • Participate in husbandry care including voluntary slide-outs and hydrations 
  • Conduct daily observations of resident dolphins and collect husbandry data 
  • Contribute to facility maintenance and general operations 
  • Plan and implement enrichment sessions 
  • Attend lecture series, pass associated quizzes, and participate in assigned training practicums

Requirements: 

  • Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship 
  • Must have completed at least 1 semester of college 
  • Must be willing to accept position as unpaid 
  • Must be available for 40 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks 

Application Details: 

A complete application must be submitted electronically, via email, before being considered for an internship position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed 3-4 months prior to the start date of each internship session. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible to the season they wish to participate in. 

Complete Application Includes: 

  • Completed & Signed DPMMR Application (Level 1) 
  • Cover Letter 
  • Resume 
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation from Professional or Academic Reference (Cannot be from a family member or friend) 

Tentative Internship Session Start Dates : 

  • Spring - Mid- February 
  • Summer - Mid - May 
  • Fall - Mid- August 
  • Winter - Mid - November 

Please email completed application to intern@dpmmr.org at-least three to four months prior to the start date of the session you wish to apply for. 

Download Application
Download FAQs

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