Advanced Training Opportunities
Further your education
As part of our mission of education, we offer a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. We currently offer:
VETERINARY INTERNSHIP 2025-2026
ABOUT THE POSITION
Application Deadline: Until position is filled.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, and releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education, and collaboration. As part of our mission of education, we offer a one-year clinical veterinary internship, with the possibility of a second year for a veterinary fellowship or collaborative master’s degree program.
This program provides training in marine mammal and wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy, and research for veterinarians interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal medicine, conservation, and research.
The veterinary intern will be trained by our clinical veterinarians, medical team, and animal care specialists. This veterinary internship will provide experience in pinniped husbandry, physical examination, medical treatments, anesthesia, phlebotomy, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy and surgery. In addition, the selected candidate will participate in marine mammal stranding response, triage, stabilization, transport and necropsy of pinnipeds and cetaceans.
Position Details
Accepting applications for January 2025 - July 2025.
(Dates are flexible based on availability; Opportunity for second year)
$55,000/year; Full health benefits; Intern is responsible for travel and housing.
Click below for more details.
2026 VETERINARY STUDENT EXTERNSHIP
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications are Open August 1st - November 1st
Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers a 4-week externship for veterinary students that provides experience in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy and research. The extern will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, as well as assist animal care staff and volunteers with daily care and feeding of the patients.
Externs will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, anesthesia, biological sample collection, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy and surgery depending on the needs of the patients at the time of their externship. In addition, externs will participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds and cetaceans. Externs will be required to complete a small project. Results will be presented to Pacific Marine Mammal Center staff and volunteers, with the potential of completing a research project that can be presented at a conference and/or published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Applications for the 2026 veterinary externship program (January 1 st, 2026 - August 1st , 2026) are OPEN NOW!
Students will be scheduled for 4-week blocks during this time. This is an unpaid position. Preference will be given to students who will be in their final clinical year of veterinary school at the time of the externship. Travel, transportation, and housing will not be provided and is the responsibility of the extern. Please note that housing in this area can be expensive and plans should be made accordingly. Applications are DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1st, 2024 and will be reviewed as they are submitted. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the 2026 program on or before February 1st, 2025.
2025 MED TEAM VOLUNTEER
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications are Open August 1st - October 1st
Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers a veterinary medical team volunteer position that provides training in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy, and research throughout the busy season (Jan -Aug).
The volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and animal care staff. Vet Med Team volunteers will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, assist with anesthesia, blood processing, inventory (biological samples, pharmacy, hospital supplies), and other clinic responsibilities (procedure preparation, cleaning, supply stocking, etc.) depending on the needs of the patients and medical team. In addition, volunteers may participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds (sea lions and seals), cetaceans (dolphins and whales), and marine turtles.
This position is open to CURRENT PMMC ANIMAL CARE VOLUNTEERS ONLY. The veterinary medical team volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and animal care staff. Vet Med Team volunteers will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, assist with anesthesia, blood processing, inventory (biological samples, pharmacy, hospital supplies), and other clinic responsibilities (procedure preparation, cleaning, supply stocking, etc.) depending on the needs of the patients and medical team. In addition, volunteers may participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds (sea lions and seals), cetaceans (dolphins and whales), and marine turtles.
Applications for the 2025 veterinary medical team volunteer program (January 1st, 2025 – August 1st, 2025) are OPEN NOW.
Volunteers will be scheduled one morning (8:00am – 12:00pm) per week during this period of time. This is an unpaid position and CANNOT interfere with your current PMMC Animal Care volunteer position. Applications are DUE NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1st , 2024 and will be reviewed as they are submitted. Volunteers will be notified of their acceptance into the 2025 program on or before November 1st, 2024.
We look forward to your application
Not only are we excited to share our mission but we look forward to what you will uniquely bring to marine mammal care and ocean stewardship.