Position Overview
Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network seeking an experienced, dedicated and versatile Stranding Response & Operations Manager to join our small, mission-driven team. This unique hybrid position combines marine mammal response leadership with organizational operations management, recognizing the unpredictable nature of stranding work. The manager will oversee daily stranding operations, supervise our stranding biologist(s), and serve as primary responder for live animal emergencies.  When live animals strand, this position will involve intensive rescue and/or rehabilitation. In addition to stranding response and rehabilitation, the manager provides essential ongoing operational management and administrative support.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone passionate about marine mammal conservation who has both leadership capability and hands-on marine mammal field expertise, thrives in dynamic environments, and enjoys managing both people and operations.

What Makes This Position Unique

Adaptive Workload Model:
Unlike traditional positions with fixed responsibilities, this role flexes between emergency care and stranding response leadership and operational management based on organizational needs.

You'll experience:

• Leading marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation operations
• Managing stranding response staff and daily operations
• Contributing to organizational effectiveness and growth
• Diverse responsibilities that keep every day interesting
• Direct impact on both individual animals and organizational capacity

Leadership Opportunity:
You'll supervise our stranding biologist(s), response volunteers, and work closely with our Executive Director on conservation initiatives. This position offers management responsibility in a small but impactful organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

Stranding Operations Management (Ongoing)

Day-to-day oversight of stranding response activities

• Supervise stranding biologist(s) in daily stranding operations and professional development
• Manage and coordinate response volunteer teams, training, and scheduling
• Oversee dead animal response protocols and necropsy activities
• Monitor compliance with NOAA protocols, data entry, and permit requirements
• Manage stranding equipment inventory and supply ordering
• Oversee vehicle and trailer maintenance for response fleet
• Ensure proper safety protocols and chemical hygiene compliance
• Review and approve stranding reports and documentation
• Manage life support systems, proper water quality, sterilization, and maintenance for rehabilitation area
• Ensure proper record-keeping of stranding data, medical charts, facility logs, drug logs, and other necessary documentation

Emergency Response Operations (On-call)

When live animals strand, rescues are prioritized while all other duties are balanced effectively

• Serve as primary responder and operations leader for live marine mammal strandings (24/7 on-call rotation)
• Lead and execute beach rescues including animal retrieval, stabilization, and transport
• Coordinate and supervise volunteer teams during emergency responses
• Coordinate 24/7 observation and care for animals in rehabilitation
• Administer medications, perform medical procedures, prepare diets, and coordinate with veterinarians
• Maintain detailed patient records and provide updates to NOAA
• Manage rescue equipment preparation, deployment, and maintenance
• Handle stranding hotline calls and coordinate response decisions
• Communicate with partner organizations during response operations
• Coordinate with Stranding Biologist on integrated response efforts

Operational Support (Ongoing)

Support the following activities contributing to organizational effectiveness

Administrative Operations:

• Coordinate office supply ordering and inventory management
• Support grant reporting and documentation
• Manage volunteer database and training
• Handle merchandise inventory and tracking
• Coordinate facility maintenance and vendor relationships

Program Support:

• Assist with education program logistics and materials as needed
• Support fundraising event coordination and setup
• Maintain equipment inventory and response readiness
• Process and organize stranding photo-ID and documentation
• Support research activities including data entry
• Coordinate volunteer training and appreciation events

Communications:

• Contribute to social media content creation
• Support donor acknowledgment activities
• Assist with public relations and presentations
• Help maintain website and information materials

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Biology, Environmental Science, or related field
• Minimum 3-5 years staff-level experience in marine mammal rescue techniques, handling, rehabilitation, or veterinary support
• Experience conducting marine mammal necropsies and sample collection
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience required
• Demonstrated reliability and responsibility in previous positions
• Experience coordinating complex operations and managing competing priorities

Technical Skills & Abilities:

• Comfortable with euthanasia procedures and working with deceased animals
• Vehicle & Boat handling (operating and trailering) experience and water safety competency
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds and work in physically demanding conditions
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques
• Database management skills
• Digital SLR high quality photography skills for documentation purposes
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record
• Swim with sufficient skill
• Familiarity with life support systems and water quality

Essential Personal Characteristics:

• Leadership Ability: Skilled at supervising staff, delegating effectively, and providing constructive feedback
• Flexibility & Adaptability: Comfortable rapidly switching between emergency and routine work modes, ability to maintain a fully flexible schedule including potential lengthy periods of unexpected travel for responses
• Reliability: Dependable for 24/7 on-call responsibilities and consistent follow-through
• Independence: Able to work autonomously and make sound decisions under pressure
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for managing staff, volunteers, partners, and public; maintain effective working relationship with supervisor.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Stress Management: Remains calm and effective during high-pressure situations
• Strong Attention to Organization and Detail: Maintains accurate records, file organization, and follows protocols precisely
• Mission-Driven: Passionate about marine mammal conservation and education

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership experience at Staff level with marine mammal stranding response, rescue, and rehabilitation of cetaceans, using varied techniques
• Experience leading high quality marine mammal necropsies, sample collection and shipment, necropsy report and technical writing
• Supervisory or management training/certification
• Marine mammal veterinary technician certification or experience
• Experience managing multiple staff or complex teams
• Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteer database
• Familiarity with current NOAA stranding network protocols and data collection and entry
• Grant writing and/or nonprofit operations experience
• Conflict resolution or performance management experience

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• On-Call Availability: 24/7 emergency response capability
• Physical Demands: Heavy lifting (50+ lbs), prolonged standing, kneeling, bending; work in extreme weather conditions that will require physical exertion
• Work Environment: Office, laboratory, field conditions, boats, beaches; exposure to deceased animals and potential biological hazards
• Travel: Unexpected travel for responses required; occasional regional travel for training or conferences
• Schedule: Flexible hours with emergency response taking priority
• Weekend/Evening Work: Regular holiday, weekend, and evening hours during emergency responses and rehabilitations

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary ($42,000-$52,000) based on experience and qualifications
• Health insurance plan contribution if desired
• Paid time off
• Flexible scheduling during non-emergency periods

Professional Development:

• Training in specialized marine mammal response techniques
• Leadership and management development opportunities
• Conference attendance and continuing education opportunities
• Certification support (CPR, First Aid, HAZWOPER, etc.)
• Networking with regional and national marine mammal professionals
• Growth potential as organization expands

Work Environment:

• Collaborative, mission-driven team
• Leadership responsibility with meaningful impact
• Direct conservation impact
• Diverse and engaging work
• Opportunity to work with amazing marine mammal species

About TMMSN
The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network is the primary research and response organization for marine mammal strandings along the Texas coast. We provide critical emergency response, rehabilitation, research, and conservation services for marine mammals in distress. Our work directly contributes to marine mammal conservation, scientific understanding, and public education.