Aquarist Volunteer

Maintaining healthy animals and exhibits is critical to the fulfillment of the Aquarium mission to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for these amazing animals.

Tasks

• Provides the highest possible quality of care to the animals in their care.
• Duties require carrying heavy buckets of food, water, and fish. Prepares food and feeds the animals.
• Observes and recognizes medical conditions that may require treatment. Promptly reports those conditions to the supervising Aquarist, Curator, or Asst. Curator.
• Promptly reports all non-functional life support equipment to the supervising Aquarist, Curator, or Asst. Curator.
• Cleans exhibit glass, rockwork, filtration, and behind-the-scenes areas.
• Maintains a clean and organized area to facilitate a presentable and safe environment for work and behind the scenes tours.
• Adheres to all established safety protocols (fire, OSHA, diving, etc.) and reports unsafe conditions to the supervising Aquarist, Asst. Curator, or Curator.
• Assists in record-keeping and occasional special projects as requested.

Time Commitment

All Aquarist volunteers make a minimum commitment of one year of weekly service (with time off of course recognized for vacations, special needs, and illness). Shifts are 4 hours and typically begin at either 7:00am or 8:00am depending on the needs of the supervisor. They are once a week on a recurring day of the week.

Skill Requirements

• Some schooling in Biology or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience successfully maintaining saltwater aquariums is preferred.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Applicants must be able to bend, climb ladders and steps, navigate exhibit platforms, and be on his/her feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Willing to work in cold, wet, dirty environments with strong fish and filtration odors.
• Able to work with sharp knives, utilizing fine motor skills to cut and prepare frozen and fresh seafood items.

Training

In addition to Aquarium 101, we provide hands-on training, meetings, and evaluations.

Supervision

You will be assigned to a paid Aquarist who will be your primary supervisor. In the event that your scheduled volunteer shift falls during a planned or unplanned absence of your mentor, another Aquarist will be assigned. However, as volunteers become fully trained, they will be expected to be able to work independently of paid staff when necessitated. If a situation occurs in which the immediate supervisor, or other Aquarist is unavailable, then the volunteer should report to the Assistant Curator or Curator of Fish and Invertebrates.

Working Conditions

Must be able to work in hot and cold environments, rain, and sun, as well as dirty or wet environments. In addition to the ability to lift 50 lbs., the applicant must be able to work/stand on their feet for extended periods of time.

To Apply

Thank you for your interest, but we are not accepting applications for this position at this time. Please check back later.