Job Title: Marine Program Assistant

Division: Marine Mammal Team
Reports To:  Marine Program Manager
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, Seasonal
Prepared Date: September 2025

Summary:This is a full-time (35 hours/week), seasonal, hourly position. The Seasonal Marine Program Assistant (MPA) is an experienced marine mammal rehabilitative care provider, who works under the supervision of the Marine Program Manager, Stranding Coordinator, Director of Animal Care and often without supervision. This position operates from March through July 2026.  There is potential for extension through August 2026, caseload and schedule dependent. Extension is not guaranteed or required.

Include the following (other duties may be assigned):

  • Perform all duties of a marine mammal rehabilitator including, but not limited to: large animal restraint, patient intakes, oversee and perform general husbandry tasks of marine mammal patients, administer medication and fluid therapies, gavage feeding of seals and sea lions, assist with patient releases, maintain all rehabilitation equipment and enclosures.
  • Provide CWC marine mammal program support.
  • Provide marine animal response, rescue, and transport.
  • Facilitate volunteer and intern training and leadership.
  • Works with Marine Program staff to assess stranded marine mammal as soon as possible.
  • Utilize a tracking system for animals placed on 24-hour watch.
  • Transport of stranded marine mammals to the appropriate rehabilitation facility.
  • Manage maintenance of assigned equipment.
  • Maintain high quality records of all patients on site and data collected during stranding responses.
  • Establish and maintain good rapport with representatives of various public agencies and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
  • Assist in the response and collection of dead-stranded marine mammals.
  • Perform rescues of injured and contaminated marine birds within our response area.
  • Responsible for closely supervising up to four volunteers/interns per shift, ensuring that all safety guidelines are followed while performing rescues, completing husbandry tasks, and providing care for all patients.

 

  • Two years’ direct experience in pinniped rehabilitation and husbandry.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and be comfortable driving a 12-person van (Ford Transit VN) and a Ford F-150 extended cab pickup truck.
  • Must be able to work cooperatively with co-workers, volunteers, interns, and the public.
  • Must be able to work quickly, efficiently, and calmly under stressful conditions.
  • Must be able to efficiently handle multiple responsibilities.
  • Must possess good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Upon hire, must pass a background check and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Commitment to professionalism.

 

Education and/or Experience:

  • BA/BS or higher degree (preference given to marine biology fields of study).
  • Excellent public relations skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Oversee teams of up to four people per shift.  Works with the Marine Program Manager and Stranding Coordinator to provide a safe environment for staff and volunteers to perform and expand their skillsets.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups on the beach or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate ratio and percentages.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Work is done which may require hiking, climbing, lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other strenuous activities.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; routine exposure to zoonotic diseases, aggressive and feral animals; outside weather conditions of extreme heat, cold and precipitation. The noise level in the work environment can be loud.

 

To apply, please email cover letter and resume to Heather Henderson (hhenderson@cawildlife.org)

 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome a diverse pool of applicants.

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO

For information about becoming a volunteer, visit our Volunteer Page or email volunteer@cawildlife.org.

California Wildlife Center (CWC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit wildlife care organization dedicated to providing emergency rescue, rehabilitative care and release of sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife in Los Angeles County. Located in the middle of the Santa Monica Mountains, CWC operates in collaboration with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. CWC cares for all species of native wildlife. CWC is an equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V/SO