How to hire a marine mammal trainer

How to hire a marine mammal trainer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step marine mammal trainer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a marine mammal trainer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new marine mammal trainer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the marine mammal trainer you need to hire. Certain marine mammal trainer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A marine mammal trainer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, marine mammal trainers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of marine mammal trainer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Marine Mammal Trainer	Description	Hourly rate
   Marine Mammal Trainer	Animal care and service workers provide care for animals. They feed, groom, bathe, and exercise pets and other nonfarm animals... Show more	$10-26
   Guide Dog Instructor	A guide dog instructor trains dogs, which are used as guides by people with disabilities. A guide dog helps a great deal for people who cannot do certain tasks on their own... Show more	$15-34
   Animation Internship	In an animation internship, an intern's duties primarily depend on the supervising staff or manager's directives. In general, an intern is responsible for gaining practical experience and industry insights by performing tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, preparing materials and equipment, organizing files, producing drafts, and running errands as needed... Show more	$10-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Medical Procedures
   • Training Sessions
   • Water Quality Tests
   • Scuba Diving
   • Public Presentations
   • Public Speaking
   • Data Collection
   • SEA Turtles
   • SEA Lions
   • Research Projects
   • Animal Training
   • Behavioral Observations
   • Educational Presentations
   • Blood Draws

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage complicated water filtration systems, and implement nutrition plans for a variety of snake species.
   • Acquire knowledge in animal husbandry, natural history, and animal conditioning principles through reading materials and participating in training sessions.
   • Assure proper annotation of administrative MWD utilization and training records used for legal reviews.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your marine mammal trainer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A marine mammal trainer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, marine mammal trainers' average salary in georgia is 45% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level marine mammal trainers 60% less than senior-level marine mammal trainers.
   • Certifications. A marine mammal trainer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a marine mammal trainer's salary.

   Average marine mammal trainer salary

   $35,589yearly

   $17.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level marine mammal trainer salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a marine mammal trainer job description

   A marine mammal trainer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a marine mammal trainer job description:

   Marine mammal trainer job description example

   Job DescriptionThe National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) has a mission to improve and protect life for marine mammals, humans, and our shared oceans through science, service, and education.
   We achieve our mission through the following actions:
   
   Support the Navy’s ability to provide exceptional care and training of their marine mammals Conduct research that benefits the conservation and care of marine mammals and the health of humans Collaborate with the nation’s top scientists and institutions to translate our research into applicable medicine and species conservation Foster an environment that creatively, effectively, and positively shapes marine mammal medicine, research, training, and education Develop education programs to share NMMF research discoveries and expertise Our vision for the future is to revolutionize the way we think about marine mammals. By embracing the partnership created between human and marine mammal, we can create a sea change in our global approach to scientific exploration, ocean conservation, and public education.
   
   Position Overview:
   
   The NMMF is seeking a full-time Marine Mammal Assistant Trainer to support our dolphin and sea lion training & care efforts in support of the US Navy Marine Mammal Program in San Diego, California, USA. This job will be 40 hours a week. Benefits will be offered for this position.
   
   Primary Responsibilities:
   Responsible for the training and care of dolphins and sea lions for the US Navy Marine Mammal Program. May serve as a designated primary trainer for specific animals, capable of independently executing individual training plans. Serve as a secondary trainer for multiple animals. Responsible for all the support tasks essential to the world class level of training and care performed by the training staff at the NMMF. This includes, but is not limited to, diet preparation, administration of medications, and facility maintenance. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of a variety of watercraft. Serve as part of a dive team tasked with performing open water diving in support of the Navy Marine Mammal Program’s directives. Eligibility Requirements:
   
   Two (2) years college credit or more from an accredited learning institution. A minimum of 1 year animal training experience OR 3 months of marine mammal care or training experience. Ability to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to obtain a secret security clearance. Must be a United States citizen and be able to provide proof of citizenship. Must have a current SCUBA certification. Preference will be given to applicants with advanced diving certifications and experience. Preference will be given to applicants that have occupational coxswain experience. Personal Requirements:
   
   The NMMF requires that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a disability- or religious-based exception is needed. Maintain high ethical standards in animal care and training, and a strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork. Convey a professional image and positive attitude regarding the NMMF, the US military, and the nonprofit sector. Offer flexibility to adapt to an evolving work environment and changing weather conditions. Embrace a flexible work schedule to include coverage on holidays, weekends, and after-hours as needed.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right marine mammal trainer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with marine mammal trainers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit marine mammal trainers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your marine mammal trainer job on Zippia to find and recruit marine mammal trainer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit marine mammal trainers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new marine mammal trainer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the marine mammal trainer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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