Jobs and Internships
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Jobs
NOAA is the managing agency for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Open positions with NOAA throughout the U.S. are available at www.usajobs.gov, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary positions are also listed below.
Current Openings
Resource Protection and Response Specialist
Lynker Corporation is seeking a dynamic and experienced Resource Protection and Response Specialist to join our growing team. The Resource Protection and Response Specialist will support vessel operations, emergency response, and field-based activities within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This position requires expertise in marine science, safe vessel operations, and diving, along with the ability to respond to environmental incidents such as oil or hazardous material releases. The role includes both field and administrative responsibilities, including coordination, reporting, and communication with agency partners. This is a full-time position based in Monterey, California, with an expectation of working on-site at the Sanctuary offices three days per week and the option to telework up to two days per week.
Responsibilities
Duties of the Resource Protection and Response Specialist will include the following:
- Support safe operation of small research and dive vessels, including serving as mate as needed
- Conduct and support field operations aboard ocean-going vessels, including diving activities where applicable
- Plan and implement Motorize Personal Water Craft (MPWC) zone marking strategies, including transition to alternative public notification methods (e.g., buoyless waypoint systems), development of regulatory language, stakeholder outreach, and excess of buoy program inventory
- Support marine resource protection efforts through participation in whale disentanglement operations, including vessel support, on-water observation, and data collection
- Respond to emergency and crisis situations, including oil spills, hazardous material releases, vessel groundings, and wildlife events. Assist with planning and execution of response and remediation activities throughout the sanctuary (Año Nuevo to Cambria, CA)
- Support remediation activities in the field or Incident Command related to miscellaneous spills or vessel incidents
- Communicate effectively through written reports and verbal coordination during routine operations and emergency response
- Maintain Emergency Response incidence internal tracking databases, and facilitate information being submitted to the 123 database
- Maintain database of the MBNMS staff and contractor certifications related to emergency response (HAZWOPER, ICS, First Aid/CPR, etc.) and facilitate training requirements as needed
- Assist the MBNMS Permit Coordinator with internal tracking and data management processes related to permit processing and monitoring
- Conduct outreach and communications with target audiences as identified by the Resource Protection Coordinator (Whale watch tour operators, pilots, boaters, MPWC users, wildlife viewers).
Qualifications
Work Environment and Physical Requirements of the Resource Protection and Response Specialist:
- Ability to travel as needed to support fieldwork and incident response across the sanctuary region (Año Nuevo to Cambria, CA). Valid California Driver’s License required
- Perform physically demanding fieldwork, including working aboard small vessels and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds across wet and uneven surfaces.
The Ideal Resource Protection and Response Specialist should have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science or a related discipline
- Experience working aboard ocean-going vessels and knowledge of safe vessel operations; ability to serve as mate on a small research/dive vessel
- Must be able to obtain a California Boater Card within 30 days of hire
- Certified AAUS Scientific Diver or Divemaster or ability to meet requirements for NOAA Diver Certification
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience representing a government agency or working with public-sector partners
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Slides) and spreadsheet management
- Ability to plan for and respond to emergencies and crisis situations
- Examples include oil spills, hazardous material releases, and vessel groundings
- Preferred certifications include 24-Hour HAZWOPER and Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training (will be provided upon hire).
For more information and to apply, visit Lynker Corporation job openings. Position open until filled.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Internships
Check out the latest internship programs in the field of research, education, and resource protection.
What We Offer
Join a dedicated and enthusiastic team at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where you will gain valuable resume-building experience in ocean conservation and management. Depending on the need, you will work on a variety of projects or programs that meet your interests. Internships provide fantastic networking opportunities for your career development. Note that in some cases, internship positions can accommodate remote work some or all of the time. We cooperate with your academic institution to ensure you receive credit for your work hours, when applicable. While the duration of intern positions can vary, most typically last at least eight weeks. Stipends are available, and details are listed below.
Eligibility
Internship positions are open to all individuals at least age 16 or older. There is required paperwork and a NOAA Office of Security background check, which will begin before the start of your internship experience. Notice for non-U.S. citizens: You must hold a J-1 Visa (also known as Exchange Visitor Visa) and be accepted as an intern at least 45 days prior to the scheduled start date to complete additional security clearance. Note that NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries does not sponsor J-1 Visas.
How to Apply
If interested in an internship, please fill out an application form.
Current Openings
There are no current openings at this time.
More NOAA Opportunities
NOAA and several organizations throughout the area offer internships for students. Each opportunity has different qualifications, requirements, and application processes.
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate level research particularly by female and minority students in NOAA mission-related sciences of oceanography, marine biology, and maritime archaeology, including all science, engineering, and resource management of ocean and coastal areas.
Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program
Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship during the summer at a NOAA facility.
NOAA Student Opportunities Database
For more information about the many educational opportunities for students (K-12, undergraduate, graduate) throughout NOAA.