We’re Hiring!

Journalism and Public Relations Apprentice

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Associate Director, Public Relations

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

• This apprenticeship position runs from approximately September 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026.
• This is a part-time position at 20 hours per week.
• Regular onsite work a minimum of 1 day per week is required.
• Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
• Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Limited weekend hours may be required for events and training.
• Some travel to satellite facilities and/or fieldwork sites within California is expected for this position.

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Sick Time
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary:

The Journalism and Public Relations Apprentice will support The Marine Mammal Center’s communication capabilities to highlight our scientific research output through long form storytelling. The apprentice will develop skills to decipher and distill complex science topics/research papers leading to the strengthening of the Center’s communications capabilities to highlight our scientific research output through longform storytelling via web stories and pitches to select media members. You will also develop skills on how to write pitches, engage media, and steward documentarians and filmmakers in a conservation-related setting.

Essential Functions:

Public Relations Support: 90%

• Perform research to identify news relevant to ocean conservation and marine mammals and develop content that encourages public engagement.
• Assist in drafting engaging content for press kits, media releases, and other public-facing content.
• Gather and organize promotional footage and imagery for media and communications use as needed.
• Provide occasional support for field media needs, such as welcoming media to The Marine Mammal Center and responding to media inquiries.
• Help maintain and grow relationships with both existing and prospective media contacts.
• Log media interactions and updates into the Public Relations database.
• Contribute to social media content creation, including both plan posts (based on the weekly content calendar) and evergreen content.
• Provide general support to the communications team, contributing to ongoing projects and helping ensure consistent messaging across platforms.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Passion for marine and environmental conservation.
• Interest in science and environmental journalism and public relations as a potential career path.
• Basic understanding of reporting and writing news stories, with a desire to grow in this area.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and maintain open communication in a team environment.
• Experience in content creation, journalism, podcasting, or digital media a plus.
• Experience with audio or video editing tools (e.g., Audacity, Descript, Adobe Audition) a plus.
• Minimal skills or ability to learn Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which may include staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.
• Ability to practice self-awareness, empathy, and respect when working with others.
• Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Qualified candidates must be a current undergraduate or graduate student in communications or journalism.
• 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.
• Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements may occur.
• Ability to carry light gear (less than 25 pounds) for in-field media activities.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion.
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
• Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
• May involves strong smells associated with the care of live 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. 

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 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.

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org