The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking interns for the 2026 summer field season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a nonprofit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. The Soundwatch program mission is to reduce vessel disturbance to marine wildlife, particularly the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, in the Salish Sea region of Washington State, USA and British Columbia, Canada. Soundwatch is looking for three interns to help conduct vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and record data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterize vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other marine wildlife. This data is used to inform and update marine mammal management strategies including state, federal, and international vessel regulations. To learn more, please visit our website and read Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications.

This internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. Interns are responsible for securing their own housing and their own mode of transportation on San Juan Island. This position includes a stipend to offset housing costs. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to assist interns in locating suitable housing options.\

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform a variety of tasks related to data recording and photography in the field aboard small research vessels.
• Perform a variety of tasks related to data entry and photo filing in a research office setting.
• Participation and staffing of public outreach and education events throughout the field season.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

• Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September.
• Be able to work approximately 35-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun. Holiday work required.
• At least 18 years of age, able to lift 40 lbs., able to swim, and not easily susceptible to seasickness. This position requires extensive boating aboard small vessels and is not suitable for those prone to seasickness.
• Ability to spend long hours on the water aboard a small vessel, sometimes in demanding seasonal conditions. Field days occur four to five times a week and may exceed eight hours per day.
• Exhibit strong communication skills, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and Google Workspace.
• US passport, enhanced driver's license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EID) is required. Documents must be valid through December 2026.
• Up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification.
• Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences.
• Knowledge of the area and Southern Resident killer whales is preferred but not required.
• A state boater license or equivalent safe boating card is preferred but not required.
• Wildlife photography experience is a plus but not required.