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Community Conservation Intern
Kailua-Kona, HI, USA
Posted on Aug 6, 2026
Description
Location of Internship: Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i
Reports to: Response and Outreach Manager
Internship Classification:
- This is a grant-funded internship from September 5, 2026, through December 5, 2026.
- This internship is onsite at Ke Kai Ola located in Kailua-Kona 2 days per week.
- Optional additional experiences offsite in the field may be available.
- Days and hours of the internship may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
Stipend: $3,000.00 total
Internship Summary:
The Community Conservation Intern supports The Marine Mammal Center’s Hawaiian monk seal sighting hotline by effectively communicating with our volunteers and the general public regarding hauled out Hawaiian monk seals. They support and educate callers, evaluate the needs of the animal, provide detailed documentation of the exchange and sightings, and coordinate volunteers for response. This internship provides broad exposure to several key program areas, offering a well-rounded introduction to our work.
Essential Functions:
Response Program Support: 50%
- Answer calls from the public, partner agencies, and others, gathering detailed information from callers about location and situation.
- Utilize scoring rubric to determine the need for response and dispatch responder as the situation demands.
- Positively represent the organization at community outreach events including monthly Open House.
- Complete data entry about calls for hauled out Hawaiian monk seals and responses into partner databases.
- Update photo server and database accurately.
Team Support: 20%
- Assist in collection and analysis of social science data.
- Support a variety of education programs for 4th grade and high school students.
- Assist staff at youth events with professionalism, enthusiasm, and cultural sensitivity.
- Shadow animal care crew as the opportunity arises.
Capstone Project: 15%
- Design project to engage community members at outreach events.
Other Duties as Assigned: 15%
- May represent and promote the Center through donor cultivation participation in partnership with the department as opportunities arise.
- Perform special projects and research as assigned.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Interest in marine and environmental conservation.
- Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and priorities as set by management.
- Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
- Ability to maintain flexibility in a changing environment.
- Ability to learn from change, challenges, and feedback.
- Ability to learn Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
- Ability to learn custom-build computer systems for data entry.
- Ability to conduct oneself in a calm and professional manner when engaging with the public, volunteers and/or difficult situations.
- Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
- Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Qualifications and Experience:
Must receive college credit for this internship and be currently enrolled in a college or university. No prior experience is required.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
- This position operates in a professional office and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to various parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
- Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.
- Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
- Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements.
- Ability to walk up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis, and potentially in inclement weather conditions.
- Ability to perform physical work which may require the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
- Potential risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
- May involve strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.
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.
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 from underrepresented groups to apply. 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:
Please submit your resume and a cover that provides a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). 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.