Pathology & Diagnostic Apprentice

Description

Location of Position: Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Necropsy Manager

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel: 

· This is a full-time, temporary position, from approximately June 2026 - February 2027 with the possibility of extending.

· Regular onsite work is required.

· Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. 

· Occasional travel to satellite facilities and/or fieldwork within California may be expected for this position. 

Compensation Range: $20.00 - $22.00 / hour.

Benefits:

· Holidays

· Sick Time

· Vacation 

· Medical, Dental, and Vision

· Life Insurance

· Long Term Disability Insurance

· 401k Retirement Plan

· Employee Assistance Program
 

Job Summary:

The Pathology and Diagnostics Apprentice will perform various activities in support of the Pathology & Diagnostics team including gross necropsy, histopathology (trimming of cases), and support of the biobank archives. They will assist in the collection, analysis, storage, and shipment of samples for collaborative research projects as well as the training of pathology participants of the Teaching Hospital program and The Marine Mammal Center’s visitors.
 

Essential Functions:

Necropsy and Biobanking: 75%

· Assist basic necropsy laboratory procedures as described in necropsy and sampling protocols for dissection, specimen photography, specimen collection, data collection, necropsy report writing, and data entry.

· Assist basic necropsy procedures (basic dissection, tissue collection/preservation, tissue trimming, sample collection, etc.) on marine mammals or sea turtles.

· Completes data entry into the Center’s in-house electronic record system (Ruby) as assigned. This can include archives, samples received and shipped, and tracking documentation, as well as entry of laboratory results for patient records as assigned. 

· Assist in biobank maintenance, including subsampling, archiving, shipping and moving samples in freezers and refrigerators

· Supports the maintenance of the necropsy facility, equipment, consumable supplies, PPE, signage, and hygiene following USDA good laboratory practice (GLP) standards.

· Follows proper adherence to biosafety procedures and protocols in accordance with OSHA and internal policies.

· Sample and fulfill approved external and internal research projects through sample processing, data entry, and shipment. 

· Maintain pathology digital photo archives, including taking necropsy and histopathology photos in accordance with protocols and after training. 

· Assists in the disposal of carcasses and biohazard tissues.

Histology: 25%

· Perform basic histology laboratory procedures including trimming wet histopathology tissues as assigned

· Supports the maintenance of the histopathology biobank (wet tissues, slides, paraffin blocks) including shipping and receiving samples, sample preparation, and data entry in Ruby.

· Assists in disposal of wet tissue, formalin, and decal.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

· Perform special projects and research as assigned.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Must be able to work both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team. 

· Must be detail-oriented and organized. 

· Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

· Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and priorities as set by management.

· Basic knowledge of marine mammal biology, diseases, and anatomy.

· Must be able to positively interact with TMMC visitors, and coworkers of all ages, different ethnic/cultural backgrounds and/or languages and individuals with special needs. 

· People with varying experience and applicants from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom). 

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which includes internal co-workers (volunteers, interns, staff, and others) as well as external partners.

· Energy and enthusiasm for working with staff and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and differing ability levels. 

· Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

· Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with people of diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications and Experience:

· Respirator Fit Test required which will be provided upon hire and ongoing as necessary.

· Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21+ years old as occasionally driving company vehicles is required for this position) 

· This position requires a combination of education and experience which includes a BS/BA that is preferably related to biology and marine science. Preferably, the candidate would have experience working in a laboratory environment. Also, preferrable but not required is previous experience or exposure to necropsy, biological sampling, histopathology and/or data entry.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

· This position requires work in a necropsy and laboratory environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, and working with strong odors associated with animals and carcasses.

· This position requires work in an environment that involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials or chemicals and situations that require extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment and completion of training procedures.

· 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 be required for field necropsies.

· Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion.

· Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.

· Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time; this includes operating large trucks to assist with transporting animals between sites.

· Ability to participate in cetacean mortality investigations, requiring training and use of sharp instruments.

· Ability to perform physical work requiring manual dexterity, agility, strength, and coordination including ability to move up to 50 pounds (22kg). Ability to crouch down and work with large carcasses.

· Ability to spend extended periods on your feet, walking, and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).

· Exposure and work with laboratory chemicals, including formalin.

· Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.

· Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

· Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.

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.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

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. 

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

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). 

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.