Volunteer Roles
Education Volunteer:
Position Duties:
Education Volunteers are involved in the many programs that the Aquarium provides to engage and educate our visitors. Daily duties may include the following:
- Interpreting aquarium exhibits, including answering guest questions, providing interesting animal information, explaining animal behavior and their role in the ecosystem, and discussing the importance of conservation;
- Assisting Aquarium teachers with classroom programs;
- Leading guided tours of the Aquarium’s exhibits; and
- Assisting with special visitor programs such as monthly toddler programs, birthday parties and scout programs.
Qualifications:
Must be interested in marine biology, and be eager and willing to engage the wide variety of Aquarium guests. Patience, excellent verbal communication skills, flexibility and a sense of humor are essential in this position. Second language skills are a plus.
Requirements:
Must be at least 18-years old, in good physical condition to stand for up to four hours at a time and lift at least 25 pounds. Must be comfortable talking with the general public and in front of groups. Must pass brief written tests as part of training.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one four-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of one month.
Volunteer Diver:
Position Description:
On SCUBA, assist with the underwater maintenance of aquarium exhibits, including underwater vacuuming and scrubbing. Other duties include set-up and break-down vacuum pumps, preparing food, performing broadcast feedings, and assisting with in-water sevengill shark target feeding.
Qualifications:
Must be a certified SCUBA diver with a minimum of 10 logged dives and experience with cold water diving. Must also have a current dive physical and necessary dive equipment (booties, gloves, fins, and mask).
Requirements:
Must be at least 18-years old, able to lift at least 50 pounds, and in good physical condition. Must be comfortable underwater and around various aquarium animals, including rays and sharks. Must also pass in-water and written dive tests.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one eight-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
Animal Care Volunteer:
Position Description:
Assist Animal Care staff with the care and maintenance of both aquatic and terrestrial exhibit animals. Duties include cleaning, health care, animal enrichment, food preparation, feeding, and record-keeping.
Qualifications:
Previous animal handling experience desirable but not mandatory.
Requirements:
Must be at least 18-years old. Must be able to work with minimum supervision, and be comfortable handling various animals, including reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. Must be able to bend, lift up to 25 pounds, walk up and down stairs, and be tolerant of a wet work environment.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one eight-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
Volunteer Water Quality Technician:
Position Description:
Assist Animal Care staff with water quality testing of exhibit tanks. Duties include gathering water samples, testing water parameters, data entry into a spreadsheet program, and the cleaning and maintenance of the Water Quality Lab. Work with or in proximity to various chemicals.
Qualifications:
Previous water quality and data-entry experience are desirable but not mandatory. However, must have an understanding of basic water quality parameters like pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrates. Basic training on water quality equipment will be provided.
Must be at least 18-years old. Must be comfortable working with lab equipment and be able to work with minimal supervision.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one four-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
