Marine Mammal Assistant 1

Job ID 2616696

Location San Diego, CA, US

Date Posted 2026-09-10

Category Wage Determination (SCA)

Subcategory Service Contract Act

Schedule Full-Time

Shift Day Job

Travel Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required None Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain Secret

Potential for Remote Work ORA_ON_SITE

Description SAIC is looking for a Marine Mammal Assistant for our San Diego, CA location . In this role, the successful candidate will be required to perform preparation of rations, cleaning of food preparation areas, animal enclosures and commons areas, as well as maintaining and cleaning specialized equipment. A successful candidate will be physically fit, excel at working outdoors, and on a boat in moderate to rough sea states.

Job Duties

• Personnel are also responsible for the operation and maintenance of small watercraft.
• Personnel perform feeding and administration of food supplements, perform observation of marine mammals, and assist with basic husbandry.
• The personnel in this position may be trained to become a designated secondary handler for specific animals. Sealion or dog handing experience is a plus.
• As part of an integrated military function the MMA-1 performs tasks related to the care and training of marine mammals for specific marine mammal projects.
• This position will require scuba diving. Advanced scuba skills are a plus.
• Job will require working outdoors on boats in adverse weather conditions. Experience working at sea and on live-aboard boats is a plus.
• All new hires will have to pass a swim & dive test in addition to possessing at minimum, a basic scuba certification.
• Personnel must be able to work flexible work hours including weekends and holidays.
• Deter the presence of nuisance animals following established NIWC processes and procedures.
• A requirement for this position includes the ability to travel frequently with animals anywhere in the world, to include potentially harsh environmental and high-risk locations, within 72 hours’ notice.

Qualifications Required Education, Experience and Clearance to obtain

• High school diploma (or equivalent).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain Secret security clearance after start.
• Must be physically fit and able to repetitively lift 50 or more lbs. on a regular basis.
• The ability to successfully pass a Maritime Vessel Operation Color Blind Test as directed by the contract.
• Basic SCUBA, and ONE of the following
• 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, and 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), and current First Aid and CPR certification, OR
• Two (2) years of college and 3 months experience as a marine mammal custodian.

Target salary range $40,001 - $80,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.