The Virginia Aquarium’s Veterinary Science & Research Division is now accepting applications for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response Batten Fellowships. The application deadline is February 28, 2024.
Fellows are expected to work 400-800 hours over approximately three to six months, starting in May or June. Fellowships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines, and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations. The Virginia Aquarium does not provide housing. Fellows are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit. This competitive position includes $15 per hour compensation to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the course of the appointment period.
Position Overview
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program (VAQS) Fellows promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, response, rehabilitation, and education. Fellows will be trained in all aspects of stranding response. Stranding work is unpredictable; therefore, experiences will vary by fellowship session. VAQS staff will provide as many learning opportunities as possible during each session. Batten Fellows are also expected to complete a focused research project. We work with each accepted Batten Fellow to select a project from predetermined options based on their background, experience, and interests.
Responsibilities
- Respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field
- Participate in all aspects of post-mortem examinations: cutting and sampling, data collection and entry, photographing, report writing, carcass recovery, and cleaning
- Perform daily husbandry tasks, including food preparation, feeding, and cleaning the rehab area, kitchen, and associated supplies and equipment
- Assist staff with new patients, including daily treatments, restraining animals for exams, collecting vital rates (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature) and morphometrics, taking photographs, administering medications, and performing wound care
- Assist with research projects and field activities involving sea turtles and marine mammals
- Ensure response preparedness by stocking response bags, fueling vehicles, cleaning, and restocking gear and supplies
- Assist with releases of rehabilitated patients, public outreach events, and volunteer/cooperator training
- Assist staff with daily administrative tasks, including answering hotline calls, data entry, and completing response paperwork
- Complete other projects and tasks as assigned by VAQS staff
Required Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a rising junior or senior, recent graduate, or pursuing a post-graduate degree in a science-based or veterinary program
- Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team
- Must be physically fit and able to lift 50 pounds and walk long distances (>3 mi/5 km) on the beach in adverse conditions such as extreme heat and cold, humidity, rain, and wind
- Be able to swim and be comfortable in and around open water and boats
- If accepted, willingness to learn how to drive response vehicles is required
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrate interest in a career in marine or veterinary science
- Have experience in stranding response, field research, and wild/exotic animal care
- Have basic math and computer skills using MS spreadsheets, relational databases, and data entry (advanced programs such as SQL, GIS, R, etc. preferred)
- Be comfortable around dead and decomposing animals
- Be comfortable driving large pick-up trucks and vans
Position Requirements
- Attend VAQS orientation and City of Virginia Beach Defensive Driving upon starting
- Possess a valid US driver’s license
- Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check
- Be available to perform support activities (24-7) as needed during the appointment period
Fellowship Learning Objectives
Develop fundamental hands-on stranding response and rehabilitation skills:
- Perform basic post-mortem examinations on sea turtles and marine mammals
- Perform basic health assessments of rehabilitation patients, including collecting vital rates, treating wounds, administering medications, and processing blood samples
- Be able to complete Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) and Marine Mammal Stranding Level A forms
- Enter stranding data in Microsoft Access
- Complete an individual project with a final deliverable: paper, report, and/or oral presentation
Fellow Schedule
The fellow is expected to be available 4-5 days per week, either 8:00am-4:30pm or 7:00am-5:30pm. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected.
