Rescue and Response Associate

The Rescue and Response Associate plays a vital role in supporting The Marine Mammal Center’s rescue and response operations for stranded marine mammals. Serving as the first point of contact for the public via the Center’s hotline, this position is responsible for receiving, assessing, and triaging reports of distressed marine mammals. The Associate provides immediate support and education to callers, evaluates each situation based on the animal’s condition, safety concerns, available volunteer resources, and public perception, and initiates appropriate response actions accordingly. This role involves remotely assembling volunteer teams, maintaining real-time communication and logistical oversight, and ensuring accurate and detailed documentation through data entry of each interaction. The Rescue and Response Associate collaborates closely with internal staff across departments to facilitate animal transport and releases throughout the California coastline.

Qualifications and Experience:

· This position requires any combination of education and experience equivalent may be enrolled in college or has an associate or bachelor’s degree in marine science or related field; and at least one year of experience in marine mammal rescue or rehabilitation, volunteer management, or another related field or equivalent experience.

· Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Passion for marine and environmental conservation and the mission of The Marine Mammal Center.

· Knowledge of California marine mammal species preferred.

· Skills coordinating complicated rescue logistics for marine mammals or other wildlife strongly preferred.

· Ability to keep a sense of calmness and composure while handling fast-paced, high call volume involving stressful situations with sick and injured marine mammals while providing support to concerned members of the public.

· Ability to learn skills navigating multiple complex decision-making scenarios involving numerous stakeholders and time-sensitive, life-or-death situations.

· Ability to convey information effectively, both orally and in writing.

· 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 learn from change, challenges, and feedback.

· Organizational skills or ability to learn attention to detail, multi-tasking, and time-management.

· Data entry skills with attention to detail.

· Skills or ability to learn using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom), and custom computer applications unique to the Center.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which may include staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

· Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

· Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

· Bilingual abilities a plus (preference for Spanish speaking).

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

· This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to various parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.

· Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements is expected.

· This position operates in a fast-paced, high-stress environment managing emergency situations with sick and injured marine mammals, involving consistent interactions with passionate public callers.

· Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.

· Ability to work at a desk for extended periods using a computer.

· Ability to work in an open-cubicle office space environment with many distractions.

· Skills to or ability to learn to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out duties.

· Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, this includes the ability to operate or learn to operate large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.

· Ability to safely walk on beaches of varying terrain to assist with animal rescues in various locations across California.

· Ability to walk up to 2 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.

· Ability to spend extended periods on your feet, walking, standing, crouching, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).

· Ability to perform physical work which requires manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination, including the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. (This includes the ability to restrain large marine mammals and walking on varying terrain while carrying large animal carriers, loading carriers and other rescue equipment into vehicles including large trucks.)

· Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.

· Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

· Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.

Salary Range: $26.00 – $28.75 per hour

Tagged as: Conservation