Voluntariado: Alaska!

Petersburg Marine Mammal Center Internship Opportunity

Located in Petersburg, Alaska´s Little Norway, this project takes place on Mitkof Island in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Petersburg is also known as the Whale Research Capital of Alaska because of the many world renown marine mammal researchers who use Petersburg as a base of operation.

PMMC is a non-profit organization formed in 1998 to assist research efforts and be a depository for information on research and sightings of marine mammals in Southeast Alaska. We have a small center located in the Viking Travel Building Which is on Main Street in downtown Petersburg. The center is manned by interns during the summer months and the Board of Directors carries out the functions of PMMC year-round.

This intern program allows students the opportunity to earn college credit while learning about marine mammals and serving the public. Indoor exhibits, including an interactive computer kiosk, focus on marine mammal life history and distribution. Two interns will be working at the Center staggered shifts for seven days out a week where the work includes, but is not limited to:

- Staff the Center during open hours.

- Manage operations, sales and petty cash.

- Interpret Alaska marine mammal information for Center visitors and public.

- Assist and help coordinate where possible with researchers using center.

- Prepare/deliver Alaska marine mammal presentations to visitors and small groups.

- Facilitate community outreach and public education of Alaska marine mammals.

Project Duration:

Two 8-10 week Intern positions are available beginning mid-June through August 31st.

Accommodation:

The volunteer will be accommodated in Forest Service housing near the center of town, making it easy to access to the community and to the Center.

Internship Requirements:

- must be in an internship program through an accredited university

- physically fit

- desire to gain skills in the environmental education field?

- interested in working with visitors

- possess an interest in working on small projects for the Center

- possess a positive attitude!

Compensation:

Travel (contingent/negotiable) to and from Petersburg to Seattle or Anchorage, lodging, and $300/ month (taxable stipend). Occasional trips to observe marine mammals and other trips with Board of Directors tour operators on a space and time available basis. Other perks are included in the prospectus.

Application Procedure and Deadline:

Applications deadline is February 28th, 2009 and successful applicant(s) will be notified by March 15th, 2009. Internship Prospectus and Application PDF can be downloaded from the PMMC Website: http://psgmmc.org/pages/involved/internships.html

Please address all questions to the center at info@psgmmc.org

Jeffrey Reynolds

6620 Michaels Dr.

Bethesda, MD 20817

301.469.8562

jeff@siphonophore.com