The Marine Mammal Center
Sausalito, CA, USA
We’re Hiring!
Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Senior Director, People & Culture
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
This is a full-time position.
Regular onsite work is required.
Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required as job duties demand.
Travel within California is expected for this position.
Compensation Range: $93,600 - $109,738 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary:
The Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding serves as the senior operational lead and is the architect for staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement at The Marine Mammal Center. This role provides strategic input, architectural design, and operational leadership to ensure recruitment and onboarding practices are consistent, equitable, compliant, and aligned with the Center’s mission and strategic priorities. The Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding translates organizational direction, workforce and volunteer priorities, and operational needs into scalable recruitment and onboarding frameworks, tools, and practices. This role oversees and develops a multidisciplinary recruitment team, manages recruitment systems, and stewards the organization’s staff position description and volunteer role description libraries. This role is accountable for day-to-day staff hiring outcomes and volunteer placements. This position actively supports the Center’s mission by ensuring the organization attracts, selects, and onboards a diverse, skilled, and mission-aligned staff workforce and volunteer community.
Essential Functions:
Recruitment & Onboarding Strategy: 60%
Serve as the senior operational lead and manage recruitment and onboarding frameworks that support staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement, aligned with organizational priorities established by the People & Culture department and Executive leadership
Provide oversight of end-to-end processes for staff and volunteer recruitment and onboarding, ensuring consistent, equitable, and high-quality practices.
Manage and administer all Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and onboarding platforms, ensuring appropriate configuration, data integrity, user access, and system performance.
Provide operational leadership for ATS and onboarding platform reviews, assessing system effectiveness, alignment with organizational needs, compliance requirements, and user experience.
Lead and support the development of Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for recruitment and onboarding systems as needed, including requirements gathering, evaluation criteria, and cross-functional coordination.
Manage and facilitate recruitment and onboarding vendor evaluation and selection processes, including demonstrations, comparative analysis, and recommendation development in partnership with People & Culture leadership and other stakeholders as needed.
Provide leadership and guidance for recruitment and onboarding system implementation, configuration, testing, and rollout, ensuring data integrity, minimal disruption, and alignment with recruitment and onboarding workflows as needed.
Ensure background checks, motor vehicle checks, Form I-9, E-Verify, and other pre-boarding requirements for staff and volunteers are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable requirements.
Ensure recruitment and onboarding practices align with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, funding requirements and budget constraints, and organizational policies.
Develop and maintain dashboards and reports measuring staff time-to-fill, source of staff hire, volunteer pipeline health, placement timelines, compliance, candidate and volunteer experience, and outreach or event return on investment (ROI).
Review recruitment and onboarding data to identify trends, risks, and gaps; implement corrective actions and provide recommendations to People & Culture leadership as needed.
Lead continuous improvement of recruitment and onboarding frameworks, tools, and standards to strengthen effectiveness, experience, and outcomes.
Design sourcing approaches that support organizational hiring priorities, including proactive pipeline development for hard-to-fill, technical, and mission-critical staff roles.
Provide oversight of talent pipeline development for staff and volunteers, ensuring sustainable, mission-aligned candidate and volunteer pools are maintained.
Serve as a visible talent brand ambassador for the Center, confidently articulating the organization’s mission, impact, culture, and opportunities to candidates and prospective volunteers.
Engage directly in sourcing and outreach activities for staff and volunteer roles when positions are senior-level, highly specialized, strategically critical, or present unique recruitment challenges.
Establish standards and expectations for candidate and volunteer experience across recruitment stages, ensuring timely communication, structured interviews, and consistent offer or placement practices.
Manage and steward the Center’s staff position description library and role description library, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with organizational structure, position and role levels, equitable classification practices, workforce planning, and operational needs.
Maintain established templates, standards, and review processes for the creation, updating, and approval of staff position descriptions and volunteer role descriptions.
Provide oversight and guidance to management during the development or revision of a position or role description using established protocols.
Conduct regular and periodic reviews of position and volunteer role descriptions to ensure ongoing relevance, clarity, and organizational alignment.
Ensure position description and role description libraries are integrated with recruitment and onboarding systems and workflows.
Leadership & Management: 25 %
Hire, train, mentor, and manage staff, ensuring individual and team development, alignment with goals, and adherence to policies and best practices.
Provide direct supervision and coaching to strengthen communication capacity across departments, building a culture of clear, consistent, and mission-driven storytelling.
Meet with direct reports to identify and resolve problems; perform personnel actions, such as approving timesheets and evaluating performance.
Monitor workload distribution and team capacity to ensure sustainable operations and effective service delivery.
Coach and train direct reports to build sourcing and outreach capabilities across the Recruitment & Onboarding team for position and role levels, ensuring sustainability and high-quality recruitment practices.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and mission-aligned team culture grounded in professionalism, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
Partner with hiring managers and organizational leaders to clarify staffing and volunteer needs, define hiring and onboarding criteria, and set expectations for recruitment and onboarding timelines.
Review hiring and volunteer placement outcomes and intervene when barriers, delays, or risks arise.
Serve as the primary escalation point for staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement issues, resolving most challenges and elevating matters to People & Culture leadership when issues involve policy interpretation, legal or compliance risk, and/or cross-departmental impact.
Supports the development of the Recruitment & Onboarding budget in collaboration with the Senior Director, Human Resources; tracks results to ensure alignment with key financial targets for expenses and/or revenue in collaboration with management; approves and monitors team expenditures within established parameters.
Organizational Impact: 10%
Actively contribute as a core member of the Center’s DEI committee, providing insight, data analysis, and recommendations related to recruitment, onboarding, risk mitigation, and data analytics to inform innovative practices to enhance organizational culture.
Lead the implementation of DEI initiatives aligned with organizational priorities for recruitment and onboarding of staff and volunteers.
Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.
May actively serve on various organizational wide committees as assigned.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- Human Resources Specialist
- Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding Coordinator
1 - Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding Manager
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of The Marine Mammal Center.
Ability to understand strategic organizational issues and influence change.
Strong knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures, with demonstrated judgment and discretion in application
Demonstrated knowledge of current recruitment, onboarding, talent acquisition tools, strategies, processes, and best practices.
Experience serving as a system administrator/super user for a complex Applicant Tracking System (ATS), including requisitions, job postings, candidate communications, interview scheduling, offer management, onboarding workflows, and advanced analytics/reporting.
Experience implementing, optimizing, and maintaining platforms, including workflow design, change management, documentation, and end-user training.
Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and service delivery for recruiting systems and related tools.
Experience with employer branding and recruitment-related marketing strategies to support candidate attraction and engagement.
Strong, current knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to recruiting and hiring.
Demonstrated ability to develop, interpret, and leverage data and analytics to inform strategy, drive continuous improvement, and improve outcomes.
Customer-focused approach with the ability to understand stakeholder needs, set clear expectations, and consistently deliver high-quality service.
Strong leadership and team building skills, with the ability to motivate team members, balance workloads, set priorities, monitor performance, and mentor, coach and develop talent.
Ability to quickly establish professional rapport with internal customers; approachable and able to engage with sensitivity, patience, and professionalism in addressing interpersonal concerns.
Demonstrated professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Excellent written, verbal, active listening, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and timely.
Comfort participating in group presentations and negotiations, representing the function effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment, partnering effectively across functions and levels.
Ability to work independently to manage projects, priorities, commitments, and deadlines.
Strong organization skills including attention to detail, effective problem-solving, multitasking, and time management.
Ability to solve complex problems efficiently and effectively, applying sound judgment and making timely decisions
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize competing demands, resolve conflicts, and follow through to completion
Adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approach and supports others in adopting new processes and expectations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and virtual collaboration tools (Asana, Slack, Teams, Zoom).
Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating self-awareness, respect, and professionalism.
Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Qualifications and Experience:
Professional HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)
This position requires a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field; and 7 years of experience directly related in recruitment and onboarding operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership/people management capacity.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Routinely uses standard office equipment, which may involve repetitive motion.
This role involves extended periods of desk work and computer use.
Job responsibilities may include physical tasks requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and mobility, including lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Exposure to odors associated with animals and the care of animals.
Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
Full Time
We’re Hiring!
Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Senior Director, People & Culture
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
This is a full-time position.
Regular onsite work is required.
Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required as job duties demand.
Travel within California is expected for this position.
Compensation Range: $93,600 - $109,738 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary:
The Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding serves as the senior operational lead and is the architect for staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement at The Marine Mammal Center. This role provides strategic input, architectural design, and operational leadership to ensure recruitment and onboarding practices are consistent, equitable, compliant, and aligned with the Center’s mission and strategic priorities. The Associate Director, Recruitment & Onboarding translates organizational direction, workforce and volunteer priorities, and operational needs into scalable recruitment and onboarding frameworks, tools, and practices. This role oversees and develops a multidisciplinary recruitment team, manages recruitment systems, and stewards the organization’s staff position description and volunteer role description libraries. This role is accountable for day-to-day staff hiring outcomes and volunteer placements. This position actively supports the Center’s mission by ensuring the organization attracts, selects, and onboards a diverse, skilled, and mission-aligned staff workforce and volunteer community.
Essential Functions:
Recruitment & Onboarding Strategy: 60%
Serve as the senior operational lead and manage recruitment and onboarding frameworks that support staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement, aligned with organizational priorities established by the People & Culture department and Executive leadership
Provide oversight of end-to-end processes for staff and volunteer recruitment and onboarding, ensuring consistent, equitable, and high-quality practices.
Manage and administer all Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and onboarding platforms, ensuring appropriate configuration, data integrity, user access, and system performance.
Provide operational leadership for ATS and onboarding platform reviews, assessing system effectiveness, alignment with organizational needs, compliance requirements, and user experience.
Lead and support the development of Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for recruitment and onboarding systems as needed, including requirements gathering, evaluation criteria, and cross-functional coordination.
Manage and facilitate recruitment and onboarding vendor evaluation and selection processes, including demonstrations, comparative analysis, and recommendation development in partnership with People & Culture leadership and other stakeholders as needed.
Provide leadership and guidance for recruitment and onboarding system implementation, configuration, testing, and rollout, ensuring data integrity, minimal disruption, and alignment with recruitment and onboarding workflows as needed.
Ensure background checks, motor vehicle checks, Form I-9, E-Verify, and other pre-boarding requirements for staff and volunteers are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable requirements.
Ensure recruitment and onboarding practices align with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, funding requirements and budget constraints, and organizational policies.
Develop and maintain dashboards and reports measuring staff time-to-fill, source of staff hire, volunteer pipeline health, placement timelines, compliance, candidate and volunteer experience, and outreach or event return on investment (ROI).
Review recruitment and onboarding data to identify trends, risks, and gaps; implement corrective actions and provide recommendations to People & Culture leadership as needed.
Lead continuous improvement of recruitment and onboarding frameworks, tools, and standards to strengthen effectiveness, experience, and outcomes.
Design sourcing approaches that support organizational hiring priorities, including proactive pipeline development for hard-to-fill, technical, and mission-critical staff roles.
Provide oversight of talent pipeline development for staff and volunteers, ensuring sustainable, mission-aligned candidate and volunteer pools are maintained.
Serve as a visible talent brand ambassador for the Center, confidently articulating the organization’s mission, impact, culture, and opportunities to candidates and prospective volunteers.
Engage directly in sourcing and outreach activities for staff and volunteer roles when positions are senior-level, highly specialized, strategically critical, or present unique recruitment challenges.
Establish standards and expectations for candidate and volunteer experience across recruitment stages, ensuring timely communication, structured interviews, and consistent offer or placement practices.
Manage and steward the Center’s staff position description library and role description library, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with organizational structure, position and role levels, equitable classification practices, workforce planning, and operational needs.
Maintain established templates, standards, and review processes for the creation, updating, and approval of staff position descriptions and volunteer role descriptions.
Provide oversight and guidance to management during the development or revision of a position or role description using established protocols.
Conduct regular and periodic reviews of position and volunteer role descriptions to ensure ongoing relevance, clarity, and organizational alignment.
Ensure position description and role description libraries are integrated with recruitment and onboarding systems and workflows.
Leadership & Management: 25 %
Hire, train, mentor, and manage staff, ensuring individual and team development, alignment with goals, and adherence to policies and best practices.
Provide direct supervision and coaching to strengthen communication capacity across departments, building a culture of clear, consistent, and mission-driven storytelling.
Meet with direct reports to identify and resolve problems; perform personnel actions, such as approving timesheets and evaluating performance.
Monitor workload distribution and team capacity to ensure sustainable operations and effective service delivery.
Coach and train direct reports to build sourcing and outreach capabilities across the Recruitment & Onboarding team for position and role levels, ensuring sustainability and high-quality recruitment practices.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and mission-aligned team culture grounded in professionalism, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
Partner with hiring managers and organizational leaders to clarify staffing and volunteer needs, define hiring and onboarding criteria, and set expectations for recruitment and onboarding timelines.
Review hiring and volunteer placement outcomes and intervene when barriers, delays, or risks arise.
Serve as the primary escalation point for staff recruitment, hiring, and onboarding and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and placement issues, resolving most challenges and elevating matters to People & Culture leadership when issues involve policy interpretation, legal or compliance risk, and/or cross-departmental impact.
Supports the development of the Recruitment & Onboarding budget in collaboration with the Senior Director, Human Resources; tracks results to ensure alignment with key financial targets for expenses and/or revenue in collaboration with management; approves and monitors team expenditures within established parameters.
Organizational Impact: 10%
Actively contribute as a core member of the Center’s DEI committee, providing insight, data analysis, and recommendations related to recruitment, onboarding, risk mitigation, and data analytics to inform innovative practices to enhance organizational culture.
Lead the implementation of DEI initiatives aligned with organizational priorities for recruitment and onboarding of staff and volunteers.
Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.
May actively serve on various organizational wide committees as assigned.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- Human Resources Specialist
- Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding Coordinator
1 - Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding Manager
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of The Marine Mammal Center.
Ability to understand strategic organizational issues and influence change.
Strong knowledge of human resources practices, policies, and procedures, with demonstrated judgment and discretion in application
Demonstrated knowledge of current recruitment, onboarding, talent acquisition tools, strategies, processes, and best practices.
Experience serving as a system administrator/super user for a complex Applicant Tracking System (ATS), including requisitions, job postings, candidate communications, interview scheduling, offer management, onboarding workflows, and advanced analytics/reporting.
Experience implementing, optimizing, and maintaining platforms, including workflow design, change management, documentation, and end-user training.
Experience managing vendor relationships, contracts, and service delivery for recruiting systems and related tools.
Experience with employer branding and recruitment-related marketing strategies to support candidate attraction and engagement.
Strong, current knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to recruiting and hiring.
Demonstrated ability to develop, interpret, and leverage data and analytics to inform strategy, drive continuous improvement, and improve outcomes.
Customer-focused approach with the ability to understand stakeholder needs, set clear expectations, and consistently deliver high-quality service.
Strong leadership and team building skills, with the ability to motivate team members, balance workloads, set priorities, monitor performance, and mentor, coach and develop talent.
Ability to quickly establish professional rapport with internal customers; approachable and able to engage with sensitivity, patience, and professionalism in addressing interpersonal concerns.
Demonstrated professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Excellent written, verbal, active listening, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and timely.
Comfort participating in group presentations and negotiations, representing the function effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open communication in a team environment, partnering effectively across functions and levels.
Ability to work independently to manage projects, priorities, commitments, and deadlines.
Strong organization skills including attention to detail, effective problem-solving, multitasking, and time management.
Ability to solve complex problems efficiently and effectively, applying sound judgment and making timely decisions
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize competing demands, resolve conflicts, and follow through to completion
Adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approach and supports others in adopting new processes and expectations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and virtual collaboration tools (Asana, Slack, Teams, Zoom).
Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating self-awareness, respect, and professionalism.
Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Qualifications and Experience:
Professional HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)
This position requires a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field; and 7 years of experience directly related in recruitment and onboarding operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership/people management capacity.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Routinely uses standard office equipment, which may involve repetitive motion.
This role involves extended periods of desk work and computer use.
Job responsibilities may include physical tasks requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and mobility, including lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Exposure to odors associated with animals and the care of animals.
Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
The Marine Mammal Center
Sausalito, CA, USA
We’re Hiring!
Veterinary Technician Senior Manager
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Director, Hospital Operations
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
This is a full-time position.
Regular onsite work is required.
Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required as job duties demand.
Occasional travel to satellite facilities and/or fieldwork within California is expected for this position.
Compensation Range: $81,120 - $93,600 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary:
The Veterinary Technician Senior Manager is responsible for the direction and oversight of the team of Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) at The Marine Mammal Center’s main hospital located in Sausalito, California. As a member of the Hospital Operations Department leadership team, this role contributes to the overall direction, strategy, and operational excellence of the hospital. They provide oversight and direction for the daily operations of the RVT team in support of veterinary and husbandry needs of the patients in care. This position serves as manager and mentor of the RVT team, fostering professional development, competency growth, and a collaborative team environment while ensuring adherence to best practices in marine mammal medicine. The Veterinary Technician Senior Manager works collaboratively to ensure integration between clinical and animal husbandry functions, supporting alignment with organizational practices in marine mammal medicine, research activities, and Teaching Hospital program initiatives to advance the Center’s mission and strategic priorities.
Essential Functions:
Leadership, Education, & People Management: 30%
Hire, train, mentor, and manage staff, ensuring individual and team development, alignment with goals, and adherence to policies and protocols.
Mentor and provide for professional development of staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring the expansion of skillsets to maintain standards of care and encourage professional growth.
Provide coaching to strengthen internal communications within the team and across departments, creating a positive, supportive, and team-oriented work environment.
Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; perform personnel actions such as approving timesheets and evaluating performance.
Provide mentorship, instruction, and supervision to participants in the Center’s Teaching Hospital programs.
Participation in team, department, and organizational leadership and strategy meetings and workshops as requested.
Provide guidance, advice, and judgement determinations for medical-related questions from animal care volunteers.
Program Administration: 25%
Manage and mentor the veterinary technician team, providing clear daily workflow direction and assigning assignments with clinical priorities.
Oversee the implementation of hospital operations policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with permits, regulatory guidance, and organizational standards.
Ensure proper documentation, data accuracy, and compliance with medical recordkeeping (RUBY database), controlled substance handling, and safety protocols.
Collaborate closely with the Hospital Operations leadership team to ensure smooth clinical operations.
Provide consultation and guidance to California-based satellite facilities, consulting with the attending veterinarian as needed, to provide medical orders over-the-phone.
Manage medical supply inventories and coordinate procurement within budget guidelines.
Ensure the accurate maintenance of controlled drugs and drug logs.
Ensure the Clinical Wiki (repository of clinical SOPs) is kept updated with current procedures.
Ensure the Center’s reference materials, training courses, and Learning Management System (LMS) content reflect current protocols and practices.
Technical Management: 30 %
Provide oversight and leadership in coordination of patient care activities, workflow management, and resource allocation to ensure clinical operations run at high efficiency.
Serve as a technical expert and problem-solve for complex clinical cases, ensuring adherence to established veterinary protocols.
Monitor patient progress and ensure timely communication of findings and treatment responses to veterinarians for review.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of methods and procedures; identify opportunities for improvement and review with appropriate staff; direct the implementation of improvements.
Perform and oversee advanced technical procedures under the direction of the attending veterinarian, including patient assessments, diagnostic testing, imaging, sample collection, anesthesia administration, surgical assistance, and euthanasia.
Oversee the execution of veterinary orders, ensuring adherence to established medical protocols, and leading the technician team in maintaining high standards of care and safety in all clinical operations.
Ensure that all equipment is properly maintained, and that all personnel responsible for use of the equipment have the necessary training.
Ensure that the hospital areas are maintained and kept in compliance with the standards set by our regulating agencies.
Budget Management & Fundraising: 5%
Support the department’s budget development; track results to ensure alignment with key financial targets for expenses and/or revenue in collaboration with management; approve and monitor team expenditures.
Represent and promote the Center to donors, prospects, and partners as opportunities arise.
May occasionally support the cultivation of individual donors, grants, family foundations, and corporate sponsors in both written and verbal formats.
Organizational Impact: 5 %
May actively serve on an organizational wide committee(s).
Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
1 – Animal Husbandry Manager
1 – Satellite Animal Husbandry Manager
2 – Veterinary Technician
2 – Relief Veterinary Technician
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong commitment to the mission of the Marine Mammal Center.
Ability to oversee and ensure staff proficiency in veterinary clinical procedures, providing mentorship, training, and quality assurance.
Ability to oversee patient monitoring and guide staff in responding effectively to changes or emergencies, ensuring calm, accurate, and protocol-driven care.
Broad background and robust skillset in advanced veterinary nursing tasks, and the ability to train others to perform them as well.
Ability to supervise the safe and competent use of veterinary equipment (e.g., anesthesia, digital x-ray machines, ultrasound, endoscopy, lab equipment), ensuring staff are trained, safe, and compliant with protocols.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and foster transparent communication across teams, departments, and volunteers.
Demonstrated decision-making and judgment skills, with the capacity to prioritize, allocate resources, and make sound operational choices in complex situations.
Ability to mentor and instruct students and staff at differing stages of their career path, demonstrating patience, adaptability, and commitment to professional development.
Ability to oversee accurate medical recordkeeping, ensuring data entry, compliance, and integrity within the medical recordkeeping system and other databases.
Ability to translate management directives into clear staff priorities, ensuring alignment between daily work and organizational objectives.
Capacity to work independently while exercising managerial judgment, ensuring projects, priorities, commitments, and deadlines are met.
Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to identify potential problems and implement effective solutions.
Ability to build collaboration across diverse teams, fostering open communication, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
Adaptability and resilience in the face of change, with the ability to model learning and growth from challenges and feedback.
Strong organizational and leadership skills, including attention to detail, time management, and the ability to coordinate multiple priorities simultaneously.
Skills using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Qualifications and Experience:
This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a Veterinary Technology Program and 5 years of clinical experience in a high-volume private practice or zoological setting and 3 years of people management.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements is expected.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to work in an open-cubicle office space environment with many distractions.
Ability to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out duties.
Ability to walk up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.
Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, this includes operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.
Ability to spend extended periods of time on your feet, walking, standing, crouching, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
Ability to work closely with wild animals requires physical strength, dexterity, and reflexes to keep themselves and other personnel around them safe.
Ability to perform physical work requires manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination, including the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. (This includes the ability to restrain large marine mammals and walking on varying terrain while carrying large animal carriers.)
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
Full-time
We’re Hiring!
Veterinary Technician Senior Manager
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Director, Hospital Operations
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:
This is a full-time position.
Regular onsite work is required.
Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required as job duties demand.
Occasional travel to satellite facilities and/or fieldwork within California is expected for this position.
Compensation Range: $81,120 - $93,600 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary:
The Veterinary Technician Senior Manager is responsible for the direction and oversight of the team of Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) at The Marine Mammal Center’s main hospital located in Sausalito, California. As a member of the Hospital Operations Department leadership team, this role contributes to the overall direction, strategy, and operational excellence of the hospital. They provide oversight and direction for the daily operations of the RVT team in support of veterinary and husbandry needs of the patients in care. This position serves as manager and mentor of the RVT team, fostering professional development, competency growth, and a collaborative team environment while ensuring adherence to best practices in marine mammal medicine. The Veterinary Technician Senior Manager works collaboratively to ensure integration between clinical and animal husbandry functions, supporting alignment with organizational practices in marine mammal medicine, research activities, and Teaching Hospital program initiatives to advance the Center’s mission and strategic priorities.
Essential Functions:
Leadership, Education, & People Management: 30%
Hire, train, mentor, and manage staff, ensuring individual and team development, alignment with goals, and adherence to policies and protocols.
Mentor and provide for professional development of staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring the expansion of skillsets to maintain standards of care and encourage professional growth.
Provide coaching to strengthen internal communications within the team and across departments, creating a positive, supportive, and team-oriented work environment.
Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; perform personnel actions such as approving timesheets and evaluating performance.
Provide mentorship, instruction, and supervision to participants in the Center’s Teaching Hospital programs.
Participation in team, department, and organizational leadership and strategy meetings and workshops as requested.
Provide guidance, advice, and judgement determinations for medical-related questions from animal care volunteers.
Program Administration: 25%
Manage and mentor the veterinary technician team, providing clear daily workflow direction and assigning assignments with clinical priorities.
Oversee the implementation of hospital operations policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with permits, regulatory guidance, and organizational standards.
Ensure proper documentation, data accuracy, and compliance with medical recordkeeping (RUBY database), controlled substance handling, and safety protocols.
Collaborate closely with the Hospital Operations leadership team to ensure smooth clinical operations.
Provide consultation and guidance to California-based satellite facilities, consulting with the attending veterinarian as needed, to provide medical orders over-the-phone.
Manage medical supply inventories and coordinate procurement within budget guidelines.
Ensure the accurate maintenance of controlled drugs and drug logs.
Ensure the Clinical Wiki (repository of clinical SOPs) is kept updated with current procedures.
Ensure the Center’s reference materials, training courses, and Learning Management System (LMS) content reflect current protocols and practices.
Technical Management: 30 %
Provide oversight and leadership in coordination of patient care activities, workflow management, and resource allocation to ensure clinical operations run at high efficiency.
Serve as a technical expert and problem-solve for complex clinical cases, ensuring adherence to established veterinary protocols.
Monitor patient progress and ensure timely communication of findings and treatment responses to veterinarians for review.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of methods and procedures; identify opportunities for improvement and review with appropriate staff; direct the implementation of improvements.
Perform and oversee advanced technical procedures under the direction of the attending veterinarian, including patient assessments, diagnostic testing, imaging, sample collection, anesthesia administration, surgical assistance, and euthanasia.
Oversee the execution of veterinary orders, ensuring adherence to established medical protocols, and leading the technician team in maintaining high standards of care and safety in all clinical operations.
Ensure that all equipment is properly maintained, and that all personnel responsible for use of the equipment have the necessary training.
Ensure that the hospital areas are maintained and kept in compliance with the standards set by our regulating agencies.
Budget Management & Fundraising: 5%
Support the department’s budget development; track results to ensure alignment with key financial targets for expenses and/or revenue in collaboration with management; approve and monitor team expenditures.
Represent and promote the Center to donors, prospects, and partners as opportunities arise.
May occasionally support the cultivation of individual donors, grants, family foundations, and corporate sponsors in both written and verbal formats.
Organizational Impact: 5 %
May actively serve on an organizational wide committee(s).
Support and prioritize the Center’s DEI objectives and integrate as opportunities arise.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
1 – Animal Husbandry Manager
1 – Satellite Animal Husbandry Manager
2 – Veterinary Technician
2 – Relief Veterinary Technician
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong commitment to the mission of the Marine Mammal Center.
Ability to oversee and ensure staff proficiency in veterinary clinical procedures, providing mentorship, training, and quality assurance.
Ability to oversee patient monitoring and guide staff in responding effectively to changes or emergencies, ensuring calm, accurate, and protocol-driven care.
Broad background and robust skillset in advanced veterinary nursing tasks, and the ability to train others to perform them as well.
Ability to supervise the safe and competent use of veterinary equipment (e.g., anesthesia, digital x-ray machines, ultrasound, endoscopy, lab equipment), ensuring staff are trained, safe, and compliant with protocols.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and foster transparent communication across teams, departments, and volunteers.
Demonstrated decision-making and judgment skills, with the capacity to prioritize, allocate resources, and make sound operational choices in complex situations.
Ability to mentor and instruct students and staff at differing stages of their career path, demonstrating patience, adaptability, and commitment to professional development.
Ability to oversee accurate medical recordkeeping, ensuring data entry, compliance, and integrity within the medical recordkeeping system and other databases.
Ability to translate management directives into clear staff priorities, ensuring alignment between daily work and organizational objectives.
Capacity to work independently while exercising managerial judgment, ensuring projects, priorities, commitments, and deadlines are met.
Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to identify potential problems and implement effective solutions.
Ability to build collaboration across diverse teams, fostering open communication, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
Adaptability and resilience in the face of change, with the ability to model learning and growth from challenges and feedback.
Strong organizational and leadership skills, including attention to detail, time management, and the ability to coordinate multiple priorities simultaneously.
Skills using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Qualifications and Experience:
This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a Veterinary Technology Program and 5 years of clinical experience in a high-volume private practice or zoological setting and 3 years of people management.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements is expected.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to work in an open-cubicle office space environment with many distractions.
Ability to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out duties.
Ability to walk up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.
Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, this includes operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.
Ability to spend extended periods of time on your feet, walking, standing, crouching, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
Ability to work closely with wild animals requires physical strength, dexterity, and reflexes to keep themselves and other personnel around them safe.
Ability to perform physical work requires manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination, including the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. (This includes the ability to restrain large marine mammals and walking on varying terrain while carrying large animal carriers.)
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.
Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
The Marine Mammal Center
Sausalito, CA, USA
Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Clinical Veterinarian, Dr. Emily Whitmer
Position Classification: Full-time, One-year position
Benefits: Full benefits including health insurance through UC Davis. Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.
Anticipated dates : July 29, 2026 - July 31, 2027
Compensation: This position will receive an estimated annual salary of $53,860 through UC Davis.
Program Overview: This one-year program is designed to train post-graduate veterinarians in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology. The intern receives mentorship and training from the clinical veterinary team, pathology team, and animal care staff and volunteers at the Center. The Intern provides medical care for sick and injured marine mammals in rehabilitation, conducts post-mortem examinations, and contributes to teaching visiting veterinary and animal care professionals. The Intern also develops and conducts a research project in marine mammal health with the goal of presentation at a scientific conference and publication. The primary focus is pinnipeds, with occasional opportunities with other taxa such as sea otters and cetaceans. The position may include occasional opportunities for field work including large cetacean necropsy, stranding response and/or veterinary support of free-ranging wildlife research projects. This is a one-year long, full-time, paid position.
Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.
This position is a collaboration with the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the Intern is a House Officer in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
Essential Functions:
Clinical: 75%
Conduct patient physical examinations, health assessments, treatments, and sample collection for rehabilitation care and in support of ongoing research projects.
Develop, implement, and execute diagnostic and therapeutic plans for patients, including euthanasia when indicated.
Conduct post-mortem examinations.
Coordinate and communicate with other personnel to ensure continuity and high standard of care.
In conjunction with other veterinary and animal care staff, advise Response Department personnel and satellite facilities as needed regarding whether response/intervention is appropriate, and when so, guide appropriate response and initiation of care including husbandry and treatment.
Provide evening, on-call, in-person animal care in response to patient emergencies in Sausalito.
Provide evening, on-call, remote animal care through telephone and text communication with staff and volunteers at all California facilities: Sausalito Hospital, Monterey Bay Operations, and San Luis Obispo Operatons.
Maintain accurate and complete patient medical and husbandry records in a primarily electronic medical records database, including specific reports required for protected species in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Record controlled drug use in compliance with DEA regulations.
Research: 10%
Develop and conduct a research project in marine mammal health and present results such as through attendance at a scientific conference and peer-review publication.
Contribute to data and sample collection for ongoing marine mammal health research projects.
Leadership & Education: 10%
Contribute to instruction of participants in the Center’s Teaching Hospital program in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology.
Provide guidance, advice, and consultation for questions and concerns animal care volunteers.
Represent and promote the Center’s science and health programs to external parties such as donors and media.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to work closely and safely with wild animals, which requires physical strength, dexterity, and situational awareness.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team.
Ability to react appropriately and calmly in emergency situations.
Energy and enthusiasm for working with staff and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and differing ability levels.
Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
Practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with people of diverse backgrounds.
Education and Experience:
DVM or equivalent degree from AVMA-accredited veterinary college.
Minimum 1 year experience practicing veterinary medicine.
Certifications and/or Licenses:
California State license to practice veterinary medicine or ability to obtain licensure prior to initiating employment.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Work occurs in outdoor weather conditions and elements throughout the year.
Hospital environment with utilization and potential exposure to potent anesthetic drugs and toxic substances including formalin and disinfectant agents. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment, particularly during operation of radiologic equipment with potential exposure to radiation.
Routine use of medical equipment such as digital radiology machines, endoscopy equipment and laboratory equipment (centrifuge, etc.).
Rare work in a field environment may include terrestrial and marine/boat-based work and require hiking to some observation points or acting as part of a boat crew (minimal). The individual may also participate in cetacean mortality investigations.
Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion and tasks.
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to crouch down, move quickly, and work with large animals.
Ability to spend extended periods on standing, walking, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for this position:
Letter of intent that addresses the following prompts:
What are your professional goals and how will an internship at the Center contribute to achieving these goals?
What are your experiences in teaching and mentoring others?
How does marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release contribute to ocean conservation?
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Name, email address, and phone number of at least two professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.
Application period is open through January 4th, 2026. Selection process and interviews will occur in January 2026, with notification to applicants to follow by the end of January/early February 2026. All applicants will receive communication of decision in advance of the February 13 VIRMP withdrawal deadline.
Inquiries can be directed to the following email address: training@tmmc.org
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
Full Time Temporary
Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship
Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Clinical Veterinarian, Dr. Emily Whitmer
Position Classification: Full-time, One-year position
Benefits: Full benefits including health insurance through UC Davis. Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.
Anticipated dates : July 29, 2026 - July 31, 2027
Compensation: This position will receive an estimated annual salary of $53,860 through UC Davis.
Program Overview: This one-year program is designed to train post-graduate veterinarians in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology. The intern receives mentorship and training from the clinical veterinary team, pathology team, and animal care staff and volunteers at the Center. The Intern provides medical care for sick and injured marine mammals in rehabilitation, conducts post-mortem examinations, and contributes to teaching visiting veterinary and animal care professionals. The Intern also develops and conducts a research project in marine mammal health with the goal of presentation at a scientific conference and publication. The primary focus is pinnipeds, with occasional opportunities with other taxa such as sea otters and cetaceans. The position may include occasional opportunities for field work including large cetacean necropsy, stranding response and/or veterinary support of free-ranging wildlife research projects. This is a one-year long, full-time, paid position.
Housing is available at no cost to the intern in a shared unit located within 2 miles of the Center’s main hospital in Sausalito.
This position is a collaboration with the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the Intern is a House Officer in the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
Essential Functions:
Clinical: 75%
Conduct patient physical examinations, health assessments, treatments, and sample collection for rehabilitation care and in support of ongoing research projects.
Develop, implement, and execute diagnostic and therapeutic plans for patients, including euthanasia when indicated.
Conduct post-mortem examinations.
Coordinate and communicate with other personnel to ensure continuity and high standard of care.
In conjunction with other veterinary and animal care staff, advise Response Department personnel and satellite facilities as needed regarding whether response/intervention is appropriate, and when so, guide appropriate response and initiation of care including husbandry and treatment.
Provide evening, on-call, in-person animal care in response to patient emergencies in Sausalito.
Provide evening, on-call, remote animal care through telephone and text communication with staff and volunteers at all California facilities: Sausalito Hospital, Monterey Bay Operations, and San Luis Obispo Operatons.
Maintain accurate and complete patient medical and husbandry records in a primarily electronic medical records database, including specific reports required for protected species in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Record controlled drug use in compliance with DEA regulations.
Research: 10%
Develop and conduct a research project in marine mammal health and present results such as through attendance at a scientific conference and peer-review publication.
Contribute to data and sample collection for ongoing marine mammal health research projects.
Leadership & Education: 10%
Contribute to instruction of participants in the Center’s Teaching Hospital program in marine mammal medicine, husbandry, and pathology.
Provide guidance, advice, and consultation for questions and concerns animal care volunteers.
Represent and promote the Center’s science and health programs to external parties such as donors and media.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to work closely and safely with wild animals, which requires physical strength, dexterity, and situational awareness.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team.
Ability to react appropriately and calmly in emergency situations.
Energy and enthusiasm for working with staff and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and differing ability levels.
Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures, ethnic groups, and identities.
Practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with people of diverse backgrounds.
Education and Experience:
DVM or equivalent degree from AVMA-accredited veterinary college.
Minimum 1 year experience practicing veterinary medicine.
Certifications and/or Licenses:
California State license to practice veterinary medicine or ability to obtain licensure prior to initiating employment.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
Work occurs in outdoor weather conditions and elements throughout the year.
Hospital environment with utilization and potential exposure to potent anesthetic drugs and toxic substances including formalin and disinfectant agents. Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment, particularly during operation of radiologic equipment with potential exposure to radiation.
Routine use of medical equipment such as digital radiology machines, endoscopy equipment and laboratory equipment (centrifuge, etc.).
Rare work in a field environment may include terrestrial and marine/boat-based work and require hiking to some observation points or acting as part of a boat crew (minimal). The individual may also participate in cetacean mortality investigations.
Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion and tasks.
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to crouch down, move quickly, and work with large animals.
Ability to spend extended periods on standing, walking, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for this position:
Letter of intent that addresses the following prompts:
What are your professional goals and how will an internship at the Center contribute to achieving these goals?
What are your experiences in teaching and mentoring others?
How does marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release contribute to ocean conservation?
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Name, email address, and phone number of at least two professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.
Application period is open through January 4th, 2026. Selection process and interviews will occur in January 2026, with notification to applicants to follow by the end of January/early February 2026. All applicants will receive communication of decision in advance of the February 13 VIRMP withdrawal deadline.
Inquiries can be directed to the following email address: training@tmmc.org
We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.
The Marine Mammal Center
Sausalito, CA, USA
Diagnostic Pathology Fellowship
Location of Program: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Associate Pathologist, Dr. Maggie Martinez
Program Dates: January 5, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with potential to extend into a second year.
Position Classification: This is a fixed-term, full-time position.
Compensation: $81,120 - 90,000 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Program Overview
The Diagnostic Pathology Fellowship at The Marine Mammal Center will begin January 5, 2026, and is a 1-year, full-time fellowship open to veterinary anatomic pathologists, ACVP or ECVP board-certified or boards eligible, interested in gaining diagnostic experience in marine mammal pathology. Application period is open through November 10, 2025. The selection process will occur in November 2025, with notification to applicants to follow by end of November 2025 with anticipated fellowship start date on January 5, 2026.
The Diagnostic Pathology Fellow at The Marine Mammal Center is primarily service-oriented, with an emphasis on diagnostic casework, necropsy, histopathology, cytology, and data quality. This role will perform necropsies, trim formalin-fixed specimens, interpret histopathology, gain experience with cytology and clinical laboratory techniques and interpretation, and participate in necropsy reporting, database entry, and quality control. The anatomic pathology service provides training under the supervision of board-certified pathologists, with the goal of developing independent diagnostic skills while contributing to the Center’s pathology case load.
While the primary focus is on service responsibilities, the Diagnostic Pathology Fellow may have opportunities to present case reports or series at conferences, conduct a small independent research project, or contribute to ongoing collaborative studies. This role will work closely with veterinary staff, researchers, and training participants, and may assist in mentorship of externs or visitors throughout the year.
The majority of postmortem cases at the Center include pinnipeds (phocids and otariids), with occasional large and small cetaceans and sea otters. This fellowship is designed to strengthen diagnostic expertise in marine mammal pathology while advancing the mission of The Marine Mammal Center.
Essential Functions:
Necropsy: 40 %
Perform basic necropsy laboratory procedures as described in agreed necropsy and sampling protocols for dissection, specimen photography, specimen collection, data collection, necropsy report writing, and data entry.
Perform basic necropsy procedures (basic dissection, tissue collection/preservation, tissue trimming, sample collection, etc.) on marine mammals.
Ensures data entered into Center’s in-house electronic animal record system (Ruby) and record keeping is reflected timely and accurately. Performs quality control on internal data entry for cases, samples, and various research projects for accuracy within Ruby.
Perform field necropsy of large whales while acting as a liaison with partner agencies such as California Academy of Sciences (CAS), including processing samples and assembly of paperwork including necropsy reports.
Prepares and interprets cytology and other clinical pathology techniques and tests. May shadow or assist in clinical laboratory.
May assist in maintaining pathology digital photo archive, including taking necropsy and histopathology photos in accordance with protocols and after training.
May assist in review of necropsy protocols and sampling requirements on an annual basis or more frequently as required (e.g. Dependent on disease outbreaks or other unforeseen events).
Histology: 4 0%
Perform basic histology laboratory procedures (trimming wet histopathology tissues) as per protocols.
Interpret histopathology and other advanced techniques (e.g. transmission electron microscopy) under supervision and guidance of board-certified pathologists with goal of independent interpretation.
Training & Educational Outreach: 10%
Trains and assists with training Teaching Hospital Program participants and pathology visitors in gross necropsy skills, anatomy and when appropriate in histopathology.
Assists with maintaining Teaching Hospital Program materials regarding pathology.
May train or assist in training external partners through various teaching opportunities (e.g. guest lectures, wetlabs).
May train other staff, volunteers, or technicians on necropsy and/or histopathology.
May present to donors or other behind-the-scenes visitors as needed.
May present at internal forums or venues or speak with media as needed.
Research: 5%
Assists in collecting specimens for collaborative (internal and external) research projects that require pathology specimens or results.
May conduct small independent research project, case report or case series.
May present research project, case report or case series at a conference (e.g. ACVP, IAAAM, WDA, SMM, AAZV).
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
DVM or equivalent degree from AVMA-accredited veterinary college is required.
Minimum of two years of formal pathology residency training from a qualified program.
Phase 2 boards eligibility is a minimum requirement; ACVP/ECVP diplomate status is desired.
CA Veterinary License preferred, once accepted into fellowship. License to be obtained within the first 6 months of employment.
Respirator Fit Test required which will be provided upon hire and ongoing as necessary.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds throughout the primarily outdoor hospital for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions.
Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength and coordination.
Ability to remain in a stationary position and move in an office environment for extended periods of time.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to walk/cover up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.
Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, including operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.
Ability to participate in cetacean mortality investigations, requiring training and use of sharp instruments.
Work Environment
Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements daily.
Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Potential exposure to formalin.
Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves strong smells associated with deceased animals and the care of animals.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Applicants must submit all the following materials to be considered for this program: incomplete applications will not be reviewed
Letter of intent that addresses the following prompts:
What are your professional goals and how will a fellowship at the Center contribute to achieving them?
What are your experiences in teaching and mentoring others as well as your approach to working collaboratively in a team?
In what ways can the study of disease and pathology in marine mammals help us better understand and protect ocean health?
Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Name, email address, and phone number of three professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.
Full Time Temporary
Diagnostic Pathology Fellowship
Location of Program: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to : Associate Pathologist, Dr. Maggie Martinez
Program Dates: January 5, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with potential to extend into a second year.
Position Classification: This is a fixed-term, full-time position.
Compensation: $81,120 - 90,000 annual
Benefits:
Holidays
Sick Time
Vacation
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program
Program Overview
The Diagnostic Pathology Fellowship at The Marine Mammal Center will begin January 5, 2026, and is a 1-year, full-time fellowship open to veterinary anatomic pathologists, ACVP or ECVP board-certified or boards eligible, interested in gaining diagnostic experience in marine mammal pathology. Application period is open through November 10, 2025. The selection process will occur in November 2025, with notification to applicants to follow by end of November 2025 with anticipated fellowship start date on January 5, 2026.
The Diagnostic Pathology Fellow at The Marine Mammal Center is primarily service-oriented, with an emphasis on diagnostic casework, necropsy, histopathology, cytology, and data quality. This role will perform necropsies, trim formalin-fixed specimens, interpret histopathology, gain experience with cytology and clinical laboratory techniques and interpretation, and participate in necropsy reporting, database entry, and quality control. The anatomic pathology service provides training under the supervision of board-certified pathologists, with the goal of developing independent diagnostic skills while contributing to the Center’s pathology case load.
While the primary focus is on service responsibilities, the Diagnostic Pathology Fellow may have opportunities to present case reports or series at conferences, conduct a small independent research project, or contribute to ongoing collaborative studies. This role will work closely with veterinary staff, researchers, and training participants, and may assist in mentorship of externs or visitors throughout the year.
The majority of postmortem cases at the Center include pinnipeds (phocids and otariids), with occasional large and small cetaceans and sea otters. This fellowship is designed to strengthen diagnostic expertise in marine mammal pathology while advancing the mission of The Marine Mammal Center.
Essential Functions:
Necropsy: 40 %
Perform basic necropsy laboratory procedures as described in agreed necropsy and sampling protocols for dissection, specimen photography, specimen collection, data collection, necropsy report writing, and data entry.
Perform basic necropsy procedures (basic dissection, tissue collection/preservation, tissue trimming, sample collection, etc.) on marine mammals.
Ensures data entered into Center’s in-house electronic animal record system (Ruby) and record keeping is reflected timely and accurately. Performs quality control on internal data entry for cases, samples, and various research projects for accuracy within Ruby.
Perform field necropsy of large whales while acting as a liaison with partner agencies such as California Academy of Sciences (CAS), including processing samples and assembly of paperwork including necropsy reports.
Prepares and interprets cytology and other clinical pathology techniques and tests. May shadow or assist in clinical laboratory.
May assist in maintaining pathology digital photo archive, including taking necropsy and histopathology photos in accordance with protocols and after training.
May assist in review of necropsy protocols and sampling requirements on an annual basis or more frequently as required (e.g. Dependent on disease outbreaks or other unforeseen events).
Histology: 4 0%
Perform basic histology laboratory procedures (trimming wet histopathology tissues) as per protocols.
Interpret histopathology and other advanced techniques (e.g. transmission electron microscopy) under supervision and guidance of board-certified pathologists with goal of independent interpretation.
Training & Educational Outreach: 10%
Trains and assists with training Teaching Hospital Program participants and pathology visitors in gross necropsy skills, anatomy and when appropriate in histopathology.
Assists with maintaining Teaching Hospital Program materials regarding pathology.
May train or assist in training external partners through various teaching opportunities (e.g. guest lectures, wetlabs).
May train other staff, volunteers, or technicians on necropsy and/or histopathology.
May present to donors or other behind-the-scenes visitors as needed.
May present at internal forums or venues or speak with media as needed.
Research: 5%
Assists in collecting specimens for collaborative (internal and external) research projects that require pathology specimens or results.
May conduct small independent research project, case report or case series.
May present research project, case report or case series at a conference (e.g. ACVP, IAAAM, WDA, SMM, AAZV).
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
Perform special projects and research as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
DVM or equivalent degree from AVMA-accredited veterinary college is required.
Minimum of two years of formal pathology residency training from a qualified program.
Phase 2 boards eligibility is a minimum requirement; ACVP/ECVP diplomate status is desired.
CA Veterinary License preferred, once accepted into fellowship. License to be obtained within the first 6 months of employment.
Respirator Fit Test required which will be provided upon hire and ongoing as necessary.
Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds throughout the primarily outdoor hospital for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions.
Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength and coordination.
Ability to remain in a stationary position and move in an office environment for extended periods of time.
Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
Ability to walk/cover up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.
Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time, including operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.
Ability to participate in cetacean mortality investigations, requiring training and use of sharp instruments.
Work Environment
Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements daily.
Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.
Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
Potential exposure to formalin.
Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves strong smells associated with deceased animals and the care of animals.
ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER
The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.
OUR MISSION
The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.
For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org
To Apply: Applicants must submit all the following materials to be considered for this program: incomplete applications will not be reviewed
Letter of intent that addresses the following prompts:
What are your professional goals and how will a fellowship at the Center contribute to achieving them?
What are your experiences in teaching and mentoring others as well as your approach to working collaboratively in a team?
In what ways can the study of disease and pathology in marine mammals help us better understand and protect ocean health?
Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Name, email address, and phone number of three professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.