Career Opportunities at Dolphin Research Center

Volunteer Resources Assistant  (Full-time, Permanent)

Volunteers at Dolphin Research Center play a crucial role in daily operations. Our programs appeal to a diverse group that includes retirees, high school students, and college students. Some are here for no more than a few days, many for several months, and some long-term. Our dynamic department welcomes about one hundred volunteers per year. The Volunteer Resources Assistant supports the Director.

Responsibilities:

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• General correspondence, record keeping, and file maintenance.
• Prompt handling and processing of incoming/outgoing departmental mail.
• Maintain all essential supplies, materials, and equipment necessary for volunteers to perform their duties.
• Process volunteer applications - date, review, and acknowledge within three days of receipt.
• Assist in providing orientation to new volunteers.
• Assist with volunteer training, including operation of necessary equipment.
• Update and print Volunteer Weekly Sign-In Sheet and calculate hours.
• Record, distribute, and post weekly department meeting minutes within two days.
• Assist with tasks specific to the Internship program: Intern Selection Lists distribution; prompt notification of status - confirmation packets including Intern Guidelines and not-selected letters; maintain current postings at college career center websites.

Abilities and Skills:

• Serious applicants should be responsible, organized, self-directed, and comfortable with multi-tasking; they should also demonstrate good team player skills. 
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability and desire to work with a variety of people on a regular basis are a must. 
• Good communication skills (both oral and written).
• We are the primary caregivers for our family of exotic birds, so familiarity with avian care is helpful. 
• Applicants should have good basic computer skills and experience with PC-based applications, including Windows and Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent), and should have good communication skills (both oral and written).

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience.  DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To Apply

If you are interested, please send your resume and completed application by email to drc-hr@dolphins.org. You may also mail them to Dolphin Research Center, Human Resources Director, 58901 Overseas Highway, Grassy Key, FL 33050.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Secondary Responsibilities

mittee participation depending on special interests and workload

Guest Services Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary)

Guest Services positions involve direct contact with our visitors and is their first impression of Dolphin Research Center.  Candidates will be reliable, neat in appearance, exhibit a warm, friendly attitude, be flexible, take direction well, be computer literate and must love dolphins!

Position Responsibilities:

• Know basic content of each narrative session (CS staff will attend and observe these).
• Understanding each interactive program from cost to content, length, restrictions and daily availability for reservations and walk-in (staff members in CS experience each program)
• Be able to give basic information on published  research projects  (surface understanding – we have greater detailed handouts for guests who are more intensely interested in these projects).
• Direct questions to appropriate Education staff member regarding the various education opportunities (i.e. DRC Training Institute (DRCTI), Dolphin Labs/Dolphin Camps, Distance Learning) and provide appropriate literature and contact information.
• Understand Special Needs Department protocol and use it for interactive programs and walk-in guest.
• Assist the Visual Communication Department with the editing and sales of photos.
• Process membership purchases application.
• Follow procedures regarding members arriving at DRC.
• Process admissions in addition to walk-in interactive programs.
• Maintain communication with Animal Care and Training Staff for availability of programs.
• Know protocol for guests visiting our facility during a wild cetacean stranding and why it is extremely crucial to follow the protocol.
• Perform opening/closing and balancing of end-of-day reports.
• At end of day, restock public restrooms and take out rubbish/recyclables daily.

Abilities and Skills:

• Must foster a love for, and protection of, our animals and marine environment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills for assisting visitors of all countries and languages and anticipate their needs often based on limited knowledge of English.
• Maintains a calm demeanor under stress or stressful situations.
• Can deal with difficult people and situations.
• Possess problem solving skills.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding our research, animals, and staff.
• Neat in appearance, confident speaking voice, and works well both with others, or independently without instruction.
• Comfortable using computers and multiple software applications.
• Use of cash registers or cash drawers, both computerized and manual; be able to count change back without using a register if necessary.
• Must be extremely flexible in day-to-day operations of facility.
• Reliable and on time daily.
• Weekend work is required.

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience.  DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action. DRC is a dog-friendly workplace!

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Guest Services Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary)

Guest Services positions involve direct contact with our visitors and is their first impression of Dolphin Research Center.  Candidates will be reliable, neat in appearance, exhibit a warm, friendly attitude, be flexible, take direction well, be computer literate and must love dolphins!

Position Responsibilities:

• Know basic content of each narrative session (CS staff will attend and observe these).
• Understanding each interactive program from cost to content, length, restrictions and daily availability for reservations and walk-in (staff members in CS experience each program)
• Be able to give basic information on published  research projects  (surface understanding – we have greater detailed handouts for guests who are more intensely interested in these projects).
• Direct questions to appropriate Education staff member regarding the various education opportunities (i.e. DRC Training Institute (DRCTI), Dolphin Labs/Dolphin Camps, Distance Learning) and provide appropriate literature and contact information.
• Understand Special Needs Department protocol and use it for interactive programs and walk-in guest.
• Assist the Visual Communication Department with the editing and sales of photos.
• Process membership purchases application.
• Follow procedures regarding members arriving at DRC.
• Process admissions in addition to walk-in interactive programs.
• Maintain communication with Animal Care and Training Staff for availability of programs.
• Know protocol for guests visiting our facility during a wild cetacean stranding and why it is extremely crucial to follow the protocol.
• Perform opening/closing and balancing of end-of-day reports.
• At end of day, restock public restrooms and take out rubbish/recyclables daily.

Abilities and Skills:

• Must foster a love for, and protection of, our animals and marine environment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills for assisting visitors of all countries and languages and anticipate their needs often based on limited knowledge of English.
• Maintains a calm demeanor under stress or stressful situations.
• Can deal with difficult people and situations.
• Possess problem solving skills.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding our research, animals, and staff.
• Neat in appearance, confident speaking voice, and works well both with others, or independently without instruction.
• Comfortable using computers and multiple software applications.
• Use of cash registers or cash drawers, both computerized and manual; be able to count change back without using a register if necessary.
• Must be extremely flexible in day-to-day operations of facility.
• Reliable and on time daily.
• Weekend work is required.

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience.  DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action. DRC is a dog-friendly workplace!

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Guest Services Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary)

Guest Services positions involve direct contact with our visitors and is their first impression of Dolphin Research Center.  Candidates will be reliable, neat in appearance, exhibit a warm, friendly attitude, be flexible, take direction well, be computer literate and must love dolphins!

Position Responsibilities:

• Know basic content of each narrative session (CS staff will attend and observe these).
• Understanding each interactive program from cost to content, length, restrictions and daily availability for reservations and walk-in (staff members in CS experience each program)
• Be able to give basic information on published  research projects  (surface understanding – we have greater detailed handouts for guests who are more intensely interested in these projects).
• Direct questions to appropriate Education staff member regarding the various education opportunities (i.e. DRC Training Institute (DRCTI), Dolphin Labs/Dolphin Camps, Distance Learning) and provide appropriate literature and contact information.
• Understand Special Needs Department protocol and use it for interactive programs and walk-in guest.
• Assist the Visual Communication Department with the editing and sales of photos.
• Process membership purchases application.
• Follow procedures regarding members arriving at DRC.
• Process admissions in addition to walk-in interactive programs.
• Maintain communication with Animal Care and Training Staff for availability of programs.
• Know protocol for guests visiting our facility during a wild cetacean stranding and why it is extremely crucial to follow the protocol.
• Perform opening/closing and balancing of end-of-day reports.
• At end of day, restock public restrooms and take out rubbish/recyclables daily.

Abilities and Skills:

• Must foster a love for, and protection of, our animals and marine environment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills for assisting visitors of all countries and languages and anticipate their needs often based on limited knowledge of English.
• Maintains a calm demeanor under stress or stressful situations.
• Can deal with difficult people and situations.
• Possess problem solving skills.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding our research, animals, and staff.
• Neat in appearance, confident speaking voice, and works well both with others, or independently without instruction.
• Comfortable using computers and multiple software applications.
• Use of cash registers or cash drawers, both computerized and manual; be able to count change back without using a register if necessary.
• Must be extremely flexible in day-to-day operations of facility.
• Reliable and on time daily.
• Weekend work is required.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Guest Services Staff (Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary)

Guest Services positions involve direct contact with our visitors and is their first impression of Dolphin Research Center.  Candidates will be reliable, neat in appearance, exhibit a warm, friendly attitude, be flexible, take direction well, be computer literate and must love dolphins!

Position Responsibilities:

• Know basic content of each narrative session (CS staff will attend and observe these).
• Understanding each interactive program from cost to content, length, restrictions and daily availability for reservations and walk-in (staff members in CS experience each program)
• Be able to give basic information on published  research projects  (surface understanding – we have greater detailed handouts for guests who are more intensely interested in these projects).
• Direct questions to appropriate Education staff member regarding the various education opportunities (i.e. DRC Training Institute (DRCTI), Dolphin Labs/Dolphin Camps, Distance Learning) and provide appropriate literature and contact information.
• Understand Special Needs Department protocol and use it for interactive programs and walk-in guest.
• Assist the Visual Communication Department with the editing and sales of photos.
• Process membership purchases application.
• Follow procedures regarding members arriving at DRC.
• Process admissions in addition to walk-in interactive programs.
• Maintain communication with Animal Care and Training Staff for availability of programs.
• Know protocol for guests visiting our facility during a wild cetacean stranding and why it is extremely crucial to follow the protocol.
• Perform opening/closing and balancing of end-of-day reports.
• At end of day, restock public restrooms and take out rubbish/recyclables daily.

Abilities and Skills:

• Must foster a love for, and protection of, our animals and marine environment.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills for assisting visitors of all countries and languages and anticipate their needs often based on limited knowledge of English.
• Maintains a calm demeanor under stress or stressful situations.
• Can deal with difficult people and situations.
• Possess problem solving skills.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding our research, animals, and staff.
• Neat in appearance, confident speaking voice, and works well both with others, or independently without instruction.
• Comfortable using computers and multiple software applications.
• Use of cash registers or cash drawers, both computerized and manual; be able to count change back without using a register if necessary.
• Must be extremely flexible in day-to-day operations of facility.
• Reliable and on time daily.
• Weekend work is required.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Trainer (Full-time, Permanent)

DRC is a nonprofit education and research facility dedicated to teaching, learning, and caring for marine mammals and the environment we share. We are home to a family of dolphins, sea lions, tortoises, and birds. Looking for an outgoing, energetic individual, who is a "people-person" and enjoys working with the public, is needed as a Trainer for our Animal Care & Training department.  Applicants with all levels of experience are considered.  Salary and title based on experience

Position Responsibilities:

Position responsibilities will vary based on the individual candidate's experience and skill level, but will include:

• Daily diets and vitamin preparation for the dolphins and sea lions.
• Narrate daily educational public presentations with dolphins and sea lions.
• Build relationships with dolphins, learning their personalities and responding to them as individuals.
• Foundational free feeding and handling skills with dolphins.
• Work with dolphins and guests in public interactive experiences.
• Work in water with dolphins for medical assists, in a variety of positions including restraining dolphins.

The first 90 days of employment are the Orientation and Evaluation period. During this time, the staff member determines whether or not the position meets his/her expectations, and the supervisors determine whether or not the staff member possesses the knowledge, skills, and necessary competencies to perform satisfactorily, and if they are a fit with the team.

Abilities & Skills:

The successful candidate will:

• Be a flexible individual, able to think on their feet.
• Have experience making connections with and building relationships with animals (and/or children).
• Possess an outgoing personality.
• Have a good, strong voice and the ability to speak in front of groups of people.
• Be a "people-person" who enjoys working with the public.
• Be a team player with excellent organization, problem solving, and communication skills.
• Must be physically fit and be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and pass a swim test.
• Be confident, physically fit, and strong enough to help medically assist dolphins.
• Prior experience with animal training may be beneficial but not required.

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience.  DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action. DRC is a dog-friendly workplace!

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Facilities Maintenance Apprentice (Full-time, Permanent)

Dolphin Research Center (DRC) currently has a full-time opening for an Facilities Maintenance Apprentice. DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility dedicated to teaching, learning and caring about marine mammals and the environment we share.

Position Responsibilities:

Major duties of this position in our Animal Care and Habitat Department may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles, and boats.
• Attend to plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and automotive needs.
• Assist with land and water construction projects.
• Cleaning, maintenance, and repair of floating docks and in water fencing.
• Maintain and repair filtration systems.
• Maintain records and systems.
• Maintenance and repair of netting and dive equipment.
• Assist with stocking fish within freezer.
• Participate on Manatee Rescue Team.
• Perform safe removal of sea life from lagoons.
• Support Medical and Animal Care and Training staff with care of dolphins, sea lion, exotic birds and other DRC animals, including but not limited to weighing animals, transferring to different lagoons/habitats, in-water medical check-ups, etc.

Qualifications:

• Successful candidate will be a flexible, responsible, organized, and motivated individual who demonstrates excellent “team player” skills.
• Must be physically fit, able to lift 75 pounds, and have a high comfort level in the water. Must be dedicated to the animals’ care, safety and well-being at all times.
• Will either be diver certified or be willing to become diver certified.
• Must possess general “handy-man” skills, knowledge of dive equipment maintenance is a plus.
• Must have a clean driving record.
• Must be able to work outdoors in the Florida heat and other extreme weather conditions.

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience. DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Facilities Maintenance Apprentice (Full-time, Permanent)

Dolphin Research Center (DRC) currently has a full-time opening for an Facilities Maintenance Apprentice. DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility dedicated to teaching, learning and caring about marine mammals and the environment we share.

Position Responsibilities:

Major duties of this position in our Animal Care and Habitat Department may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles, and boats.
• Attend to plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and automotive needs.
• Assist with land and water construction projects.
• Cleaning, maintenance, and repair of floating docks and in water fencing.
• Maintain and repair filtration systems.
• Maintain records and systems.
• Maintenance and repair of netting and dive equipment.
• Assist with stocking fish within freezer.
• Participate on Manatee Rescue Team.
• Perform safe removal of sea life from lagoons.
• Support Medical and Animal Care and Training staff with care of dolphins, sea lion, exotic birds and other DRC animals, including but not limited to weighing animals, transferring to different lagoons/habitats, in-water medical check-ups, etc.

Qualifications:

• Successful candidate will be a flexible, responsible, organized, and motivated individual who demonstrates excellent “team player” skills.
• Must be physically fit, able to lift 75 pounds, and have a high comfort level in the water. Must be dedicated to the animals’ care, safety and well-being at all times.
• Will either be diver certified or be willing to become diver certified.
• Must possess general “handy-man” skills, knowledge of dive equipment maintenance is a plus.
• Must have a clean driving record.
• Must be able to work outdoors in the Florida heat and other extreme weather conditions.

Benefits:

DRC currently offers medical benefits, life and disability insurance plan, a 401(k) retirement plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and overtime, as well as personal growth and training opportunities. Pay is based on experience. DRC seeks to provide for the well-being of its employees and our wage combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment. DRC is a 501(c)(3) qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. To see if you qualify for student loan forgiveness, please visit https://studentloans.gov/mydirectloan/pslfflow.action.

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

SALARY & BENEFITS

The cost of living in the Keys tends to be high and salaries, for the most part, are not competitive with the national average. This is particularly true at DRC, which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Starting salaries vary according to an applicant's educational background, experience, and particular job responsibilities. The starting annual salary for an entry-level employee at DRC averages $29,120. Many staff members find it necessary to supplement their income through other means.

DRC seeks to provide for the well being of its employees and our salary combined with our generous benefits creates a competitive total package that is right for our environment.

DRC offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick leave, gift shop discounts, work clothing, and complimentary Dolphin Encounters. However, the most important benefits are the extraordinary rewards employees encounter on a daily basis: feeling the elation when a dolphin demonstrates a new behavior for the first time, watching a child grin in excitement when she sees a dolphin burst out of the water into a flip, sitting quietly on a dock observing the fluid grace of dolphins, experiencing the sense of satisfaction when a student grasps a new concept, witnessing the magical moment when a learning-disabled child utters his first word. Moments such as these are the true rewards, the unique benefits of working at Dolphin Research Center.

Transparency in Coverage Rule Compliance

Under the Transparency in Coverage Rule, issued in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Labor, and Department of the Treasury and enforced beginning 7/1/22, health insurance issuers must publish two separate machine readable files (MRFs) as follows:

• In Network: Negotiated rates for all covered items and services between the plan or issuer and in-network providers
• Out of Network: Allowed amount paid to, and billed charges from, out-of-network providers for all covered services within a 90-day period

These MRFs are available for you to read here.

HOW TO APPLY

Dolphin Research Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you require assistance completing the application, please email drc-hr@dolphins.org.