VOLUNTEER ELEPHANT SEAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (3-4) needed for winter 2025/2026 on Southeast Farallon Island (30 miles west of San Francisco). This volunteer opportunity is designed to allow early career ecologists to gain valuable hands-on field research and remote living experience while contributing to long-term research on the ecology of northern elephant seals and other pinnipeds.

Positions are available 6 December 2025 through 28 March 2026 with a minimum 8-week commitment. This is a volunteer position with no financial compensation, though we do provide great food and island housing. More information can be found at https://www.pointblue.org/internships/volunteer-research-assistant-southeast-farallon-island/ .

Volunteer RAs will:

• Learn how to census and monitor breeding elephant seals and other pinnipeds including applying flipper tags and resighting previously tagged or marked animals.
• Learn how to survey salamanders, crickets, songbirds, seabirds, gulls, burrowing owls, and whales that visit the island and surrounding waters.
• Learn how to enter, proof, and manage data, contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of the research station, and take turns cooking.
• Participate in field research 7 days a week, with a variable schedule that includes long days and night work. Long term RAs may receive some break time off the island (needs to be agreed upon prior to season) and/or occasional days off while on the island. Some fieldwork requires rigorous physical activity including strenuous hiking and climbing.
• Applicants should enjoy working independently with a high level of responsibility in fieldwork and data entry as well as working frequently with a partner or team.
• Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in biology or related field and prior ecological research experience with pinnipeds or other large mammals.
• Enthusiasm for intense fieldwork on a small, isolated island and the ability to get along well with others is essential.

Point Blue is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.