Aquarium of the Pacific
Abalone Recovery Internship
Host: The mission of the Aquarium of the Pacific (AOP) is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems. Our vision is to create an aquarium dedicated to conserving and building Natural Capital (Nature and Nature’s services) by building Social Capital (the interactions between and among peoples). Home to more than 12,000 animals, the Aquarium exhibits include Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and an updated Southern California exhibit. The Aquarium also maintains a large portfolio of education programs for learners of all ages, as well as conservation efforts focused on supporting local endangered species such as mountain yellow-legged frogs, sea otters, and white abalone.
Location: Long Beach, CA (map)
Format: In-person
Internship Dates: June 3 - August 16, 2024
Stipend: $8,000
Time Commitment: The internship is a full time, 11-week commitment. Shifts may include long days (10+ hours) and weekend days. Over the 11 weeks, the intern may take up to five days off for personal reasons, vacation, or illness. If participation is less than 100%, the stipend will be prorated.
Position Description and Responsibilities: One (1) internship is available working with the AOP’s Fish and Invertebrate team within the Husbandry Department to directly participate in the AOP’s work with the White Abalone Recovery Program. In partnership with NOAA, the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, the Bay Foundation, Paua Marine Research Group, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and various other organizations, to breed and raise abalone. The goal of this conservation program is to ultimately reintroduce captive-bred abalone into their natural habitat.
The intern will aid in daily food preparation, observation of animals, exhibit maintenance, and the production and collection of macro algae. To support the AOP’s efforts to communicate with the public on the abalone program, the intern will also complete education volunteer training, and actively engage with guests around the AOP for roughly 10% of the internship hours. The intern will work with a team of education volunteers to staff interpretation stations around the AOP such as touch tanks with small sharks, invertebrates, and moon jellies.
The intern will learn about the natural history of abalone, the population dynamics of the species, the permitting requirements related to their management, details of the animal care, logistical components related to the AOP involvement with the recovery program, and public engagement strategies for communicating the work. The intern will gain hands-on experience working with abalone as well as other local California species.
Duties will include:
- Food preparation and feeding;
- Exhibit maintenance;
- Macro algae collection and production;
- Detailed record keeping and data entry;
- Assistance with spawns, tagging and outplants if they are available;
- Communicating with the public.
Additionally, the intern will be encouraged to identify a side project suited to their skills, interests, and experience. At the end of the internship, the intern will be asked to present their experience to an audience of AOP staff, board members, supporters, or the public.
Preferred Experience and Capabilities: This internship requires flexibility, time management, organizational skills, willingness to engage with AOP guests, and interest in conservation efforts. Interns must be able to document activities via email and various record keeping systems. Previous experience working with animals is not required.
Skills Gained: The intern will learn about the reintroduction of an endangered invertebrate population and the various agencies, partners, and regulations involved in their care. The intern will gain experience working with a team of animal care professionals.
Eligibility/Requirements: The intern must be able to work independently, interact in a professional manner with the public, and act as part of a team of animal care professionals. The intern must be able to get to the AOP in Long Beach for each shift. Applicants are also subject to general eligibility requirements.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time;
- Ability to balance bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist;
- Ability to lift and carry up to 0-75lbs;
- Ability to pull and push up to 0-100lbs;
- Full functional range of motion in all major body joints from reaching, twisting, bending, simple and power gripping, fine and gross motor skills.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.