IMMS Education Internship (Summer)
Internship Timeframe
Deadline to Apply: April 15
Summer Internship: May 15 - August 4
*We may be able to offer some flexibility on dates, so please note earliest
and latest availability on your application.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (“IMMS”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization established in 1984 for the purposes of public education,
conservation, and research on marine mammals in the wild and under human
care. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, IMMS has been an active participant
of the National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the premier
stranding organization in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region of the
Gulf Coast with the capability and expertise to care for sick and injured
marine mammals. IMMS serves as an important educational outlet for the
Mississippi Gulf Coast, incorporating programs for conservation, education
and research of marine mammals and their environment.
Program Description
The IMMS Education Internship Program is designed as a way for students
interested in a career in science education to gain valuable hands-on
experience in a real-world informal educational setting.
Interns will participate in our daily public programs that educate our
visitors about marine mammals and sea turtles, as well as issues affecting
their habitats. Summer interns will also spend at least one week in our
Ocean Expo summer camp program working as an aide to a certified teacher.
Interns will further their knowledge by working in other IMMS departments,
including Research, Animal Care & Training, and Veterinary/Stranding. Our
goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas
while providing expert training and practical involvement in marine science
education.
This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for their own
housing and transportation. Positions are limited and IMMS reserves the
right to end an internship at any time.
Principal Duties
-Demonstrate science concepts and interpret live animal displays for guests
participating in:
-Daily public tours,
-Student field trips,
-Mini Camp (Field experience for students from middle school to
college),
-Summer Camp (Day camp for ages 5 to 17, with off campus components),
-Dozing with Dolphins (Overnight program for scouts and other youth groups),
-Public outreach (Local events like boat shows or seasonal festivals).
-Assist IMMS staff in preparing and maintaining program equipment and
materials, including:
-Organizing equipment and materials for daily use,
- Cleaning and stowing equipment after use,
- Making copies,
- Running errands,
- Cleaning display cases.
As a component of the IMMS Summer Camp or Mini Camp program interns may have
the opportunity to:
-Serve as assistant on kayaking trips,
-Serve as assistant on trips to Ship Island (Gulf Islands National Seashore).
Secondary Duties
-Assist IMMS staff in caring for Education reptile collection:
-Feed & weigh resident snakes, alligators and freshwater turtles
-Update feeding & health records,
-Clean and maintain wet and dry habitats.
As their departmental schedules permit interns may also:
-Assist in the animal care department with daily
feedings/cleanup/observation of trainingsessions,
-Assist the aquarist with daily feedings, water chemistry, and maintenance
of fresh and saltwatertanks and touch pools,
-Assist in the research department with wild dolphin photo identification,
-Attend a research boating trip to observe dolphins, if available,
-Assist in the stranding department (turtle feeding, vet tech work, data input).
-Attend a necropsy and a turtle release, if available.
Eligibility Requirements
-Applicant must be 18 or older.
-Applicants must be able to commit to a minimum of 12 weeks, 40 hours a week.
-Applicant must be available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. IMMS
operates 7 days per week and has some evening programs so your work week may
not be 9AM – 5PM, Monday - Friday
-Applicant must be a recent graduate or actively pursuing a college degree
in the sciences or education.
-Applicant must maintain a positive attitude, good work ethic, sense of
responsibility, and a strong willingness to learn.
-Applicant must be comfortable with public speaking and using a microphone.
-Applicants should be comfortable working with audiences “K-to-Gray”, but
especially elementary age children.
-Applicant must be comfortable with handling different types of crabs and
reptiles (snakes, alligators, turtles).
-Applicant must have good organizational skills.
-Applicant must be financially stable enough to obtain housing and
transportation, once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist interns in
suggesting suitable housing and locations.
-Applicant must be able to comply with IMMS rules and regulations.
-Applicant should keep in mind that the summer climate on the Gulf Coast is
HOT and HUMID and that they will be required to work outside.
More information and application forms may be obtained at :
https://www.imms.org/downloads/applications/IMMSEducationApplication_2017Summer.pdf
Please send the following documents to: acas...@imms.org with "Education
Internship" in the subject line.
-Download and complete the IMMS Education Internship Application (Save the
application in pdf form to your computer FIRST then fill in the form.
Otherwise your information will not be saved to the form when emailed)
-Resume
-Two letters of recommendation - provide one academic and one work/volunteer
(related reference if applicable). Letters may be emailed from the applicant
or the person providing the recommendation letter.
-A one-two page statement of interest - describe your background, pertinent
experiences, interests, and accomplishments (include how this internship
will benefit you). If you believe you may have difficulty complying with one
or more of the required duties or responsibilities due to a physical
limitation or other reason, please address these concerns in the statement
of interest.
-A copy of your current college transcript. Applicants may submit an
unofficial copy.
Documents must be in one of the following formats - .Pdf, .Doc, .Docx, and
must be submitted together with your first and last name and the date
(yyyy/Month) your internship would begin in the file name.
Ex: 2015May_Jane_Doe_Resume
2015May_Jane_Doe_Statement
2015May_Jane_Doe_Transcript
