Marine Mammal System Assistant I 04270 LBYD Federal

North Wind Group•Silverdale, WA

5d•$19 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Marine Mammal System Assistant I supports 24/7 operations and works closely with veterinary and biotech staff to care for marine mammals. Duties include delivering vitamins and medications, issuing appropriate diets, performing routine medical procedures, and developing and maintaining husbandry behaviors tailored to each animal’s needs. The role involves working sessions and animal assessments, feeding and supplement administration, basic husbandry, diving support, enclosure inspection and maintenance, fish house operations, and operating watercraft. The assistant may be trained as a secondary handler for specific animals and will perform care and training tasks for marine mammal projects. Travel with an animal for extended periods anywhere in the world may be required, potentially to harsh or high-risk locations, with as little as 72 hours’ notice. The role is based in Silverdale, Washington, and is regular full-time. Candidates must be able to work flexible hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends. The position requires outdoor work on boats, docks, and in water in all weather conditions, as well as physical capability for dive operations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, obtain a government security clearance before starting, and successfully pass swim and dive testing and a dive physical.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology or a related field, basic open-water scuba diving certification, and at least one year of experience; OR one year of animal training experience, basic open-water scuba diving certification, at least one year of experience, and a high school diploma or equivalent; OR operational and navigation experience on small boats (40 feet or under), a USCG license for operator of un-inspected passenger vessels/6-pack (46 CFR 10.467) or higher or U.S. Navy Coxswain’s certification, operational experience using maritime navigational devices, basic open-water scuba diving certification, at least one year of experience, and a high school diploma or equivalent.
Able to work flexible hours, including nights, holidays, and weekends.
Must pass a swim and dive test and have basic scuba certification.
Must work well in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Commitment to project, team member, and animal safety by embracing safety culture, policies, and procedures.
Able to obtain a government security clearance before starting.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet security requirements.
Must successfully pass a swim test and dive physical.
Able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
Able to pull oneself out of the water and onto deck and boat platforms without a ladder.
Able to pass the Maritime Vessel Operation Color Blind Test as directed by the contract.
Physically qualified to perform dive operations.
Able to stoop, bend, squat, climb, kneel, talk, and hear.
Able to stand or walk for extended periods.
Able to spend extended periods on a water vessel in different sea states.

Nice To Haves

Animal training experience.
Advanced scuba diving certifications, such as dive master, instructor, commercial diver certification, or 1st or 2nd class Navy Diver classification.
Current First Aid and CPR certification.

Responsibilities

Routinely monitor and observe animal behavior and wellness and report findings to onsite personnel.
Conduct animal working sessions, including body inspections and assessments of behavior and health.
Engage with animals in working sessions to rehearse and execute behaviors to be performed in open water.
Record information about each session and the animal’s performance.
Feed animals and administer food supplements.
Assist with basic animal husbandry.
Provide diving support for operations, including enclosure inspection and maintenance.
Support fish house operations by preparing individually formulated rations for each animal.
Operate a variety of watercraft.
May train to become a designated secondary handler for specific animals.
Perform care and training tasks for marine mammals involved in specific projects.
Deter nuisance animals while following established processes and procedures.
Travel with an animal for extended periods anywhere in the world, potentially to harsh or high-risk locations, with 72 hours’ notice.