Response Program Coordinator
Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research (SR3), based in Des Moines, WA, opened its marine animal hospital in 2021, increasing rehabilitation options and resources for the region. We are seeking a Response Program Coordinator to oversee SR3’s hotline, ensuring consistent coverage and serving as the first point of contact for calls from the public and our regional stranding network partners. This role also involves participating in the daily care of marine mammals and sea turtles in rehabilitation, as well as training and overseeing volunteers to ensure smooth operations in both response and rehabilitation. The position requires flexibility, including availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed to meet operational demands.
Essential Functions:
Oversee SR3’s response preparedness to stranded animals (pinnipeds, cetaceans, sea turtles, sea otters), enhancing regional resources and capabilities.
Coordinate live and dead stranding response along a 40-mile urban coastline and throughout the PNW as requested by stranding network partners.
Develop and expand SR3’s response program, including protocol development and implementation, volunteer training, data management and analysis.
Manage all required government reporting, permit renewal, and grant-related documentation relevant to stranded animal response.
Ensure consistent year-round hotline coverage, responding to calls from the public and stranding network partners.
Handle program procurement needs, including equipment specifications, product/vendor evaluation, and purchasing.
Facilitate collaborations with external groups to advance mutual scientific goals and foster long-term partnerships.
Lead 1-2 animal care shifts during peak seasons; provide support during off-season as needed.
Coordinate multiple responses and transports, assembling volunteer teams and providing public education when required.
Maintain vehicles and equipment, ensuring readiness for immediate response.
Oversee, coordinate and train response volunteers, collaborate on training for rehabilitation volunteers.
Assist with and eventually independently conduct necropsies; manage sample and supply inventories.
Professionally represent SR3 to state and federal agencies, the public, and at events like presentations, network meetings and conferences.
Collaborate with a small team to support various objectives, including development, fundraising, communications, veterinary, animal care and outreach.
Contribute to SR3’s strategic development, setting growth priorities, assisting with budgeting, and identifying opportunities to enhance program impact.
Stay informed on regional and national marine mammal stranding, wildlife conservation, and research issues, maintaining a close relationship with NOAA and stranding partners.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in marine science, conservation biology, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Thorough understanding of marine mammal and sea turtle health, conservation issues and environmental threats, and relevant science.
Valid and current driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, and possess the ability to drive large vehicles.
Must be available to work varying hours including being on call for live marine mammal stranding response and afterhours/weekend/holidays.
Excellent public speaking skills with experience in science communication from crowds as varied as the general public to the broader scientific community.
Demonstrated ability to remain objective and composed while handling a high call volume involving stressful situations.
Ability to work in a shared office space with many distractions; work conditions may vary from many hours on the phone/computer to many hours in the field in varying weather conditions.
Experience with data entry, management and quality control, attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines required.
Experience working and interacting with all levels and different styles of personalities while maintaining a professional attitude.
Experience managing volunteers, interns or staff.
Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google drive.
Desired Qualifications:
Masters in marine science, conservation biology, or related field.
3 years of experience in advanced stranding response, involving a variety of position specific species, sizes and in challenging locations/situations (on-water, entanglement, high public visibility).
2 years of experience in marine mammal rehabilitation with experience responding to medical emergencies.
Understanding of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and NOAA and USFWS regulations and permitting requirements.
Experience with the reporting process for marine mammal and sea turtle strandings.
Working knowledge of stranding agreement and letter of authorization renewal and reporting processes.
Experience safely navigating vehicles on beaches.
Experience driving vessels <30 feet.
Ability to trailer vessels <30 feet.
Experience writing grant proposals and successfully competing for public and/or private funding.
Experience independently conducting marine mammal necropsies and a working knowledge of gross anatomy and pathology of marine mammals and sea turtles.
24-hr HAZWOPER certification.
Excellent leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to create and lead motivated and effective teams as well as work with colleagues in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to staff and volunteers, stranding network partners, donors, members of the public, educational institutions, board members and the media.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Work will be conducted in an office, hospital and field environment, in variable weather conditions.
This position operates in a fast-paced, high-stress environment managing emergency situations with sick and injured marine mammals, involving consistent interactions with passionate public callers.
Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer and cell phone.
Ability to work in the field, including on vessels, in various weather conditions for extended periods of time.
Requires unrestricted range of motion with the ability to lift and move 40+ pounds, loading and carrying carriers or stretchers with animals.
Ability to hike long distances on uneven and/or inclined terrain
Will be exposed to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
Involves smells associated with animals and the care of animals.
This is not a remote position, physical presence at SR3’s facility is required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: 67k- 75k DOE
Medical coverage: Eligible for medical, vision, dental with 75% of the monthly premium covered by SR3.
PTO: 1-week paid vacation earned the first year with increasing amount based on years of service. 5 paid floating holidays.
Professional Development: Funding available in support of achieving career objectives, to be discussed with manager.
Further Information
Location: Des Moines, WA. This is not a remote position and presence is required on site.
Hours: Full time, exempt
SR3 is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
To apply
Submit a cover letter and resume to apply@SR3.org with subject line Response Program Coordinator. Applications without a cover letter or resume will not be considered. Applications accepted on a rolling basis, preference given to those received before 9/15/24; position open until filled.
*Note: Must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position.