Experience is a great teacher! Our internship program provides college-level students the opportunities to become part of an aquatic education team and to learn by doing. Students will work side by side with Aquarium professionals gaining knowledge through hands-on experience. In addition to teaching in an informal (e.g., non-school) learning environment, the internship will focus on communicating current advancements in ocean science, interpretation of data and information that connects to our live animal collection, and providing content for integration into educational programming.

Position Duties:

• Become familiar with the types of objects and activities used in informal education and science interpretation.
• Interpret about the Aquariums’ animal exhibits and conservation issues (on both species- and systems- levels) that these animals may face in nature.
• Interpret scientific data and information to the public using available resources, technology, and exhibits.
• Perform presentations to deliver interpretation of current and established science to the general public on and off microphone.
• Assist in researching, interpreting, and reporting on a variety of topics in conservation, research, or ocean, climate, and earth systems science that can be implemented into Aquarium programming.
• Create and test a novel interpretation tool that connects the Aquarium’s exhibits to recent discoveries in ocean sciences, conservation, and/ or ocean change.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of ecological and biological principles, earth systems science, and/ or oceanography is required for the position.
• Some background and training in the field of education and the implementation of informal education programs.
• Experience speaking to public audiences on microphone or through a large-scale public forum, using age-appropriate language is required.
• Strong communication skills to transmit information to staff, visitors and program participants in a clear and thorough manner is required.
• Familiarity with scientific journals, peer-reviewed research, and searching through journal-related databases is preferred.
• Desire to instill a sense of wonder, respect and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants and ecosystems through effective communication practices and creativity is required.
• Familiarity with technology, including MS Office applications, graphics software (CorelDraw, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) and tablet technology is preferred.
• All applicants should be creative, organized, self motivated, have excellent people skills, and enjoy working with multigenerational audiences, including familesfamilies and children.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 9 weeks, 16-40 hours a week.
• College student or recent graduate interested in pursing a career in oceanography, research, or marine/ conservation education.
• Pursuing or have completed a degree in: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Education, or any relevant science.
• Computer skills: Microsoft Office, CorelDRAW a plus but not required.

Training:

• Complete Aquarium 101 and Education volunteer training (4 classes)
• On-the-job training with Aquarium educators.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering 4 externship/preceptorship programs in the veterinary services department for 3rd and 4th year veterinary students. Each position is a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks depending on the students’ availability. Accepted students will train under the supervision of the veterinary and husbandry staff during administration of the facilities preventative animal healthcare program and any current medical cases. Students will be expected to develop and present a case report or review of an applicable topic in aquatic medicine to the aquarium staff. No stipend is provided. Housing and transportation are not provided and are the responsibility of the student.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s animal collection of approximately 11,500 animals consists of pinnipeds, sea otters, marine birds, psittacine birds, raptors, reptiles, amphibians, marine fish, and invertebrates. The majority of cases presented are fish and birds. The veterinary staff consists of one full time veterinarian and veterinary technician.

Positions are available January - February, March - April, August - September, November - December. Applicants must indicate which time period(s) they are available, highest ranked applicants for each time period will be selected.

The Application deadline is October 31 of the academic year prior to externship. Example: October 31, 2009 is the deadline for positions May 2010–April 2011. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by November 31.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Proof of enrollment in a college or school of veterinary medicine with 2 years completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (official transcript required)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of intent that details pertinent past experience and training in aquatic animal medicine, reason for pursuing aquatic animal training, future goals, and prioritized available time periods
• Letter of recommendation from a professor or veterinarian supporting the students’ academic professionalism and demonstrated interest in aquatic animal medicine
• Aquarium veterinary application

The purpose of the Volunteer Services/ Teen programs internship is to give students experience in managing teen programs and volunteer programs in a non-profit organization such as the Aquarium of the Pacific. VolunTEENS is a program geared towards high school students ages 14-16 with an interest in marine biology. Students participate in an 80 hour volunteer program for 10 weeks in the Fall and Spring, during which they will learn about the many wonders of the Pacific Ocean and create extraordinary experiences for our guests. Marine Science Academy is a program in partnership with St. Anthony’s High School. Students practice the same skills as the VolunTEEN program Monday thru Thursday.

A successful intern will gain experience necessary for supervising a volunteer teen program including training, scheduling, daily activities and weekly educational updates. In addition, interns will learn the basic functions of a volunteer program – from recruiting to training, organization, and recognition.

Commitment: Summer Only. Minimum of 11 weeks for 15 – 20/ week.

Qualifications

• Some experience working with high school students is preferred but not required.
• Flexible, quick on their feet and able to work with numerous other departments.
• Ability to solve conflicts quickly and calmly

Requirements:

• College student or recent graduate interested in a career in biology, volunteer services, teaching, or human resources
• Pursuing a degree in: Leisure and Recreation or Biology (all fields are welcome).
• Computer skills: Microsoft Excel.

This intern will be responsible for assisting the Boats Coordinator on photo IDing blue whales, fin whales, and humpback whales during our daily whale watching cruises, as well as interpreting data to guests at the Aquarium.

Commitment: 15-20 hours/week for 15 weeks

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Taking dorsal fin photos of animals encountered during daily cruises
• Maintain detailed data logs of sightings and enter them into ACESS databases
• Answer questions and interpreting for guests on board.
• Photo processing and IDing individual whales seen during daily trips
• Create a project to display to Aquarium guests using whale data
• Aid with hydrophone equipment

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 18 or over
• Major/ed in biology, marine biology, or conservation a plus
• Lift a maximum of 50 lbs

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Each applicant must have a broad knowledge of ecological and biological principles, especially those relating to marine habitats,
• Ability to spend many hours standing especially on a boat
• Experience working with digital SLR camera’s a plus but not required
• Experience in data entry, preferably with Microsoft Access
• Comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Be able to demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and work with a diverse group of people.

The purpose of the Mammalogist intern position is to give students practical experience in the care and maintenance of marine mammals and their environments. Mammalogist interns will learn the importance of proper husbandry techniques and the responsibilities associated with keeping marine mammals in captive environments. They will utilize basic aquarium principles.

The person in this position is responsible for participation in the development and implementation of the marine mammal programs that promote the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and its mission. Primary responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to food preparation, animal husbandry and maintenance, working marine mammals, enrichment sessions, exhibit and gallery cleaning and organization, record keeping, and occasional special projects. This person will also be responsible for the effective communication between various departments at the Aquarium of the Pacific and with other marine mammal facilities to insure successful programming.

Commitment: 240 hours for a minimum 16 hours per week distributed over at least 15 weeks

The successful candidate can expect to receive many things from their internship, including training and experience in the following:

• Exhibit maintenance, both inside and outside of the water of the exhibit
• Food preparation
• Feeding and training techniques for marine mammals
• Enrichment activities designed for marine mammals
• Observation of animal behavior with an emphasis on normal versus problem-indicative behavior
• Recognition and treatment of marine mammal diseases
• Aquarium-specific materials and equipment choices and uses
• Life-support systems design, monitoring and maintenance
• An intuitive feel for the relative priorities of various tasks in a public aquarium environment
• Monthly evaluations by the lead contact person at the Aquarium of the Pacific
• The pride and reputation of having made a contribution to a world-class aquarium institution
• References and connections to future job possibilities at other institutions if their performance warrants it.

What the Aquarium of the Pacific expects from interns:

• The drive and ability to learn tasks quickly and well
• To perform all of their assigned duties promptly and reliably
• To be prompt and on time
• To exercise care and judgment when working with exhibits and animals
• To abide by all Aquarium of the Pacific employee guidelines and policies
• To work hard, not mind getting dirty, and be a team player
• The ability to meet the minimum or greater time commitments of the position

Qualifications

• Prior experience with marine mammals is preferred but not required.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to develop research protocols and conduct experiments
• Broad knowledge of ecological and biological principles
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs on stairs, platforms, catwalks, etc.
• Some background knowledge of marine mammals
• Desire to work in close proximity to marine mammals
• Willingness to work hard and get dirty
• Strong communication skills to transmit information to staff, visitors and program participants in a clear and thorough manner
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Desire to instill a sense of wonder, respect and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean and its inhabitants

Requirements:

• Must complete general orientation session
• Must attend continuing education sessions when applicable
• Interest in pursuing a career in marine mammal science
• Written research paper or a project completed during internship period (to be determined by student in collaboration with Mammalogist)
• Candidates will be competitively chosen on the basis of knowledge, abilities, experience, attitude, reliability, punctuality and recommendations.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has an Horticulture Internship opportunity for the Fall term (between the months of September and December). These interns will be trained to provide care for the aquariums grounds. plant beds, and plants. Through one-on-one training and hands-on exercises, our interns will become competent in the care and maintenance of our exhibits and grounds in and around the Aquarium.

Our aquarium’s main building is divided into 3 distinct geographical zones. We have a Tropical Pacific Gallery, Southern California Gallery and a North Pacific Gallery. In addition to these galleries, the Aquarium of the Pacific also has a changing exhibits gallery. Several other exhibits are located outside the aquarium and include a large guest walk-through aviary, a “Green Classroom” with a native plants garden, a drought tolerant demonstration garden, a shade garden, and several planters located around the grounds. We currently have several horticulture volunteers that comprise the horticulture department. All horticulture interns and volunteers report to the Assistant Curator of Birds, Mammals, and Horticulture.

Commitment: Minimum time commitment of 16 hours per week over a 15 week period or a minimum of 240 hours.

Responsibilities

• Will include, but are not limited to:
  • Designing and creating a small garden, to include irrigation, soil amending, weed barriers, and planting.
  • Weeding, watering and trimming of the aquariums grounds and gardens
  • Exhibit and behind-the-scenes cleaning
  • Record-keeping
  • Guest interpretation
• Our interns may also participate in a number of “special projects” including
  • new plantings
  • building maintenance
  • irrigation repair or replacement

While the internship focuses on horticulture, there will be opportunities to work with various animal care staff members during the internship.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of ecological and biological principles, especially those relating to plants.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50# on stairs, ladders and catwalks.
• Some background knowledge of gardening.
• Desire to work in close proximity to guests.
• Willingness to get wet and dirty.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to staff and visitors alike.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Desire to fulfill our institutional mission of instilling a sense of wonder respect and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants and ecosystems.

Requirements:

• Must complete our general orientation session, Aquarium 101.
• Must attend continuing education sessions when applicable.
• Interest in pursuing a career in horticulture or related field.
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a higher education facility.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has Aquarist Internship opportunities for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. These interns will be trained to provide daily husbandry for a diverse collection of marine fishes and invertebrates. Through one-on-one training and hands-on exercises, our interns will become competent in the care and maintenance of each of our exhibits within their assigned gallery.

These are not paid positions.

Our animal collection is divided into 3 distinct geographical zones. We have a Tropical Pacific Gallery, Southern California Gallery and a North Pacific Gallery. In addition to this exhibitry, the Aquarium of the Pacific also has a changing exhibits gallery coupled with a major elasmobranch exhibit called Shark Lagoon. We have one internship position for each of these areas, two in our tropical area, and one for jelly culture for a total of six available positions.

Commitment/Requirements:

• Minimum time commitment of 16 hours per week over a 15 week period. (Or a minimum of 240 hours)
• Must complete our general orientation session, Aquarium 101.
• Must attend continuing education sessions when applicable.
• Interest in pursuing a career in marine science fields.
• Must be currently enrolled or recently graduated from a higher education facility.

Responsibilities

• Primary responsibilities for our interns will include, but are not limited to:
  • daily food preparation and feeding
  • exhibit and behind-the-scenes cleaning
  • record keeping
  • animal observation
  • guest interpretation
• Our interns will also be able to participate in a number of “special projects” including
  • veterinary procedures
  • annual animal physicals
  • quarantine procedures
  • animal capture and transfer techniques

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Broad knowledge of ecological and biological principles, especially those relating to marine habitats.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50# on stairs, ladders and catwalks.
• Some background knowledge of marine aquarium keeping.
• Desire to work in close proximity to marine fish and invertebrates.
• Willingness to get wet and dirty.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to staff and visitors alike.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Desire to fulfill our institutional mission of instilling a sense of wonder respect and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants and ecosystems.
• SCUBA certification highly encouraged.

Selection

All qualified applicants will be contacted by email to schedule a phone interview with our Aquarist Internship Coordinator. Candidates will be competitively selected on the basis of knowledge, abilities, experience, attitude, reliability, punctuality, and recommendations.

The Education Technology and Media intern is responsible assisting with the technology and audio visual needs of the Aquarium’s Education department and A/V department. In addition to the required experience, the successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal skills, and be able to function successfully when given independent assignments, and work collaboratively in a team environment.

Commitment: The minimum hour requirement is 18 hours a week with a focus on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The daily hours will depend on program bookings.

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Operate audio, visual and technical equipment during videoconference programs
• Maintain and update still image and video footage database
• Assist in editing and building new videoconferencing programs
• Work with A/V department on an as needed basis editing, creating signage and maintaining equipment

QUALIFICATIONS

• Working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education Technology or media related field AND/OR working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in film, video production or related field
• Interest in or experience with marine science preferred but not required
• Experience working in Education preferred
• Experience working with videoconferencing equipment preferred
• Experience in broadcast productions preferred but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TRAITS FOR SUCCESS

• Proficient in Macintosh environments
• Beginning to intermediate level experience in non-linear video editing. Final Cut Pro experience preferred but not required
• Extraordinary people skills
• Extraordinary organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Excellent ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent ability to handle multiple assignments and changing priorities

Experience is a great teacher! Our internship program provides college-level students the opportunity to become part of an aquatic education team and learn by doing. Students will work side by side with Aquarium professionals gaining knowledge through hands-on experience.

Commitment: As an Education intern your minimum commitment would be 9 weeks, 20-40 hours/week. This opportunity is available in the spring and summer.

EDUCATION INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Assist with summer day camp programming. This includes, but is not limited to, games, crafts and marine science related activities.
• Interpret about the Aquarium’s animal collection at stations such as shark lagoon or ray pool.
• Complete an intern project
• Assist with education programming

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with children.
• Basic marine science or marine biology knowledge preferred
• Experience working in camps or other informal settings preferred
• Working towards or recently completed Bachelor degree
• Available during weekends at the beginning of the internship for training purposes
• Previous customer service experience is preferred but not required

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Effective communication skills
• General PC knowledge in word, excel and power point
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent organizational and planning skills

The A/V Intern is responsible for audio and visual needs of the Aquarium. In addition to the required experience, the successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal skills, and be able to function successfully when given independent assignments, and collaboratively in a team environment.

Commitment: 3 months 18 hours

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Videography and photography of Aquarium events and presentations
• Editing and assemble footage from our stock library for exhibit, media, web, and education programs
• Assist in maintaining, troubleshooting and repair of equipment throughout the facility
• Setup and operation of live audio equipment for Aquarium events
• Provide support for all other audio and video related needs of the Aquarium as needed

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Beginning to intermediate level experience in non-linear video editing. Final Cut Pro experience preferred.
• Proficient in Macintosh environments
• Familiarity of A/V cables, connectors, and equipment
• Operational experience of PA systems, microphones, still & video cameras, video projectors, and video playback devices
• Excellent time management skills required
• Must be successful at multi-tasking
• Exercise strong collaboration in a team environment

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Current study in film/video production or related media field

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to work extended shifts on occasion
• Ability to work inside or outside, in varying weather conditions

The Aquarium of the Pacific offers several opportunities for students that are enrolled in high school or are exiting middle school. All of our programs allow students to volunteer and earn service hours, gain experience, and meet new friends.

VolunTEENS
Youth between the ages of 14 and 16 are eligible to participate in a highly structured eighty-hour program. Those who are selected after a competitive application process receive special instruction on many aspects of marine life and the Pacific Ocean; in turn, they share this information with guests at interactive stations in each gallery.

Service Learning Volunteers
High school students who are simply interested in earning service hours for school credit.

Senior Projects
We are no longer accepting requests for the 2011-2012 school year.
Seniors in high school can complete their fieldwork at the Aquarium and have the help of a mentor to complete their project required for graduation.

Adult Volunteer Programs
Eligibility for our adult volunteer programs starts at age 16. If you are interested in gaining the highest level of training and volunteer commitment, this program is for you! Visit our adult volunteer page for more information and descriptions of the positions available.

At the Aquarium we do our best to provide high school students with opportunities to complete service hours and fulfill their requirements to graduate from high school or earn extra credit. In order to be a participant in this program, students must be in high school and must be ready to come to the Aquarium with an attitude of instilling a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

The service learning program offers students the privilege to volunteer for our special events during the September to June school year.

Some of the tasks service learning volunteers assist with include assisting at our craft tables, preparing crafts, and administrative support. We offer numerous activities throughout the school year for service learning volunteers. Whenever there is a new event, service learning volunteers are contacted by email.

To sign up, please print and complete this waiver.

Please mail the waiver to:

Aquarium of the Pacific
Volunteer Services – Service Learning
100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 90802

Waivers can also be dropped off at the Aquarium Information Desk (we cannot accept electronic copies).

Volunteers age 16 and older are found in nearly every corner of the Aquarium! They exhibit all forms of abilities, backgrounds, skills, genders, ethnicities, and ages; but all are committed to accomplishing the mission of the Aquarium.

Our volunteers work in Husbandry as aquarists, mammalogists, aviculturists, horticulturists, and more. They serve in Guest Services with our many events and daily operations. Volunteers are engaging and teaching our guests about the Pacific Ocean in the Education department. There are volunteer positions in Life Support, Development, Marketing, Diving, Facilities, Media Relations–the list goes on and on.

Each department has different requirements and different needs throughout the year. Thus we are not interviewing for every department year-round. Husbandry positions are almost always filled in-house by current volunteer staff, so if interested in future husbandry opportunities, you’ll want to apply for current volunteer openings now. This will be further explained at an upcoming interview meeting.

To see the departments that are currently in need of volunteers and the requirements for volunteering within them, please click the link below.

If you are interested in one of our current volunteer opportunities and meet the minimum requirements for that position, click the link below to apply. All applicants will be invited to one of our Information & Interview meetings, which are scheduled throughout the year.

Thank you so much for your interest in our volunteer program. We look forward to meeting you! Please click the link below to apply.

Join us on the “dry side.”

Aquarium Host

Meet and greet our guests
Assist at Information, Honda Theater and Lorikeet Forest

Retail

Be part of a great team in the Aquarium’s lively gift store, Pacific Collections, or assist at our Signal Hill warehouse.

Exhibit Interpreter

With training, become a real expert on the animals and ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean

Horticulture

Help our landscaping crew help to keep our grounds beautiful and flourishing…
No green thumb required!

Have prior experience? Take a look at the “wet side.”

Exhibit Diver

Open to those with Rescue Diver Certification

Husbandry

Aquarist, Aviculture, Marine Mammalogy, Program Animals and Vet Services

For more information and requirements on these and more volunteer positions, click here.

Internships
Internships at the Aquarium of the Pacific are structured for college students and recent graduates who are interested in playing a direct role in ensuring our oceans are vital and healthy for generations to come. Our internships are typically offered in the fall, spring and summer and we accept applications year round. All applicants should be organized, self motivated, and have excellent people skills. All internship positions are on a voluntary basis only; we do not offer paid intern positions. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the candidate.

Once accepted, new interns participate in a one-day training, Aquarium 101, plus additional departmental on-the-job training.

Applicants must:

• Be a college student or recent graduate, Husbandry applicants must be 18 or over
• Submit an internship application, resume, cover letter
• Interview with Aquarium Staff*
• Pass a background check

*Only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified of their application status. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted during the month following the application deadline. (For example, if the deadline is March 31, contact will occur in April.)

Spring term:
Application Deadline: November 30
Proposed Intern period: January-April

Summer term:
Application Deadline: March 31
Proposed Intern period: May-August

Fall term:
Application Deadline: July 31
Proposed Intern period: September-December

Positions Available:

• Audio Visual Internship
• Aquarist Internship
• Current Science Education Internship
• Education Internship
• Education Technology and Media Internship
• Horticulturist Internship
• Mammalogist Internship
• Marine Mammal Photo ID Internship
• Veterinary Externship/Preceptorship Program
• Volunteer Services Internship: Teen Programs

Apply Now

Ready to jump in?

We thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. You are taking the first steps in an exciting journey that will not only help us, but will be a very fulfilling experience for you as well.

As part of our ongoing environmental commitment to be “GREEN,” we strongly prefer that you submit your application electronically by clicking here.

If you would like to download and print the Volunteer Application, please click here.

Note: To review and/or print the downloadable items, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may click on the icon to obtain your FREE copy.

Our Family Volunteers are fantastic sets of parents and children, volunteering side-by-side in our education department. Together, they are engaging and interacting with the Aquarium’s guests, teaching them about the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

This program is designed for up to two children (ages seven to fifteen) to volunteer side-by-side with their parent(s) or legal guardian, once-a-week.

Children ages sixteen and older are considered individual volunteers and can apply through our Adult Volunteer program. At this time, our program does NOT allow family members who are not legal guardians (siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents) to join the Family Volunteer program with nieces, nephews, grandchildren, etc.

Family Volunteers have a unique opportunity to engage guests of all ages and share their enthusiasm for the Pacific Ocean. It can be very inspiring for guests seeing family members working so closely together and sharing their passion. We often have new volunteers join who say it was meeting our dedicated Family Volunteers that inspired their decision to help out as well.

To attend an Information & Interview meeting and hear more details about this program, please click the link below to apply. All applicants will be invited to one of our Information & Interview meetings, which are scheduled throughout the year.

Thank you so much for your interest in our Family Volunteer program. We look forward to meeting you! Please click the link below to apply.

Note: To review and/or print the downloadable items, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may click on the icon to obtain your FREE copy.

Dive Into Volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific

If you love the Pacific Ocean, if you are passionate about marine animals, if you are driven to give back to your community, why not consider becoming a volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific?

As a non-profit organization, the Aquarium of the Pacific relies heavily on our volunteer staff. In fact, we simply could not provide all of the programming, services, and experiences that we offer without the help of a dedicated and active volunteer staff.

Volunteering is FUN! Volunteering is EXCITING! Volunteering can be LIFE CHANGING!

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s volunteer staff is one of the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and friendly groups of people anywhere. To ensure this high level of quality, all volunteer applicants must complete a volunteer application, submit to a background check, pass an interview process, and complete an orientation and training program.

There are TONS of perks for our volunteers, too! Not only do you get to help the Aquarium of the Pacific fulfill its mission of instilling a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems, but also:

• You get to partake in our all staff parties and events

• You will receive discounts on gift store, food, membership, and ticket purchases

• You are awarded complimentary tickets every quarter

• And you get to be a part of a WORLD CLASS AQUARIUM!

We have several different volunteer opportunities available:

• Adult Volunteering
• High School Volunteering

• VolunTEENS

• Service Learning

• Family Volunteering
• Internships

Testimonial

We have been volunteering for many years at many places so we are experts. We really love the Aquarium, the paid staff, trainers and fellow volunteers; here everybody is in a good mood and rewards you with a great smile when you meet. Trained to give our guests the best experience possible, we can tell you fascinating facts about almost every creature on exhibit here and many others as well. A day volunteering is so much fun. They say volunteers live longer… we hope it’s true so we can keep volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific for a long, long time.

Joan & Ken Katz Exhibit Interpreters since May 2000

A special opportunity for high school students between the ages of 14-16 to get their hands wet and earn hours.

Our special youth program is offered three times a year. Youth between the ages of 14 and 16 are eligible to participate in a highly structured 80-hour program. Those who are selected after a competitive application process receive special instruction on many aspects of marine life and the Pacific Ocean; in turn, they share this information with guests at interactive stations in each gallery. These hours do qualify for service learning, but the student gets so much more!

Fall and spring session VolunTEENS are on-site for 8 hours each weekend for ten weekends. Our summer session for VolunTEENS is two days a week for five hours each day for eight weeks. The program includes on-going training on the Aquarium, its animals and habitats, and on development of exhibit interpretation skills.

What do VolunTEENS do?

VolunTEENS are trained to interpret to our guests about the Aquarium, its inhabitants and ecosystem. Participants will receive special instruction on many aspects of marine life and the Pacific Ocean; in turn, they share this information with guests at interactive stations in each gallery. At the end of their volunteer commitment, each student will have gained the necessary skills for interpretation, public speaking, and literary research. These skills will allow them to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitant, and ecosystems. They will have also gained the level of skill to become an exhibit interpreter in our education department. At the end of the programs duration, VolunTEENS will produce a final presentation that exhibits what they have gained from this program. VolunTEENS does not offer animal care or animal training opportunities.

Requirements:

• Have at least a 2.5 GPA
• Be between the ages of 14 to 16
• Complete an application
• Submit a typed essay on why you should be selected for this program
• Submit two letters of recommendations
• Participate in an interview process
• If accepted, complete the required training

If you are interested fill out the VolunTEEN Application request form to get started.

Spring 2012 Session – 16 positions available

• Applications Deadline: January 20
• Program Start Date*: March 3

Summer 2012 Session – 60 positions available

• Applications Deadline: April 27
• Program Start Date*: June 23

Fall 2012 Session – 16 positions available

• Applications Deadline: September 28
• Program Start Date*: November 3

*Program start dates are subject to change

Note: To review and/or print the downloadable items, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may click on the icon to obtain your FREE copy.