Hiring: Marine Mammal Assistant 1 Company: SAIC Location: San Diego, CA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-11 17:57:31 Employment Type: Full-Time (Day Shift; On-Site; ~10% Travel) Target Skills & Keywords: Marine Mammal Care, Animal Husbandry, Animal Training, Small Boat Operations, SCUBA Diving, Maritime Navigation, Rations Preparation, Enclosure & Equipment Cleaning, Feeding & Food Supplements, Nuisance Animal Deterrence, USCG License, Coxswain Certification, First Aid & CPR, Physical Fitness, Working at Sea, Live-Aboard Boats Experience: - One (1) year animal training experience, OR - Operational and navigation experience on small boats (30' or under), OR - USCG license (operator of un-inspected passenger vessels/6pac – 46 CFR 10.467) or higher/U.S. Navy Coxswain's certification, plus operational experience using maritime navigational devices, OR - Advanced scuba diving certifications (i.e., dive master, instructor, commercial diver certification, 1st or 2nd class Navy Diver classification), plus current First Aid and CPR certification, OR - Two (2) years of college and 3 months experience as a marine mammal custodian - Sea lion or dog handling experience is a plus - Advanced scuba skills are a plus - Experience working at sea and on live-aboard boats is a plus Required Skills: - Preparation of rations and cleaning of food preparation areas, animal enclosures, and common areas - Maintenance and cleaning of specialized equipment - Operation and maintenance of small watercraft - Feeding and administration of food supplements - Observation of marine mammals and assistance with basic husbandry - Ability to work outdoors on boats in adverse weather conditions - Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays - Ability to travel frequently with animals worldwide, including harsh environmental and high-risk locations, within 72 hours' notice - Deterrence of nuisance animals following established NIWC processes and procedures - Physical fitness with ability to repetitively lift 50+ lbs. on a regular basis - Basic SCUBA certification - Ability to pass a Maritime Vessel Operation Color Blind Test - Ability to pass a swim & dive test Qualifications: - High school diploma (or equivalent) - Must be a U.S. Citizen - Must be able to obtain Secret security clearance after start - Willingness to be trained as a designated secondary handler for specific animals - Comfort working in an integrated military function supporting marine mammal projects Compensation: - Target salary range: $40,001 – $80,000 (typical range based on experience and other factors) Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!