Position Functions
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Be an interpreter of the Aquarium's mission, conservation initiatives, and exhibits by educating guests about life above and below the water of Long Island Sound and beyond.
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Create memorable experiences by helping guests interact with animals at the stingray, jiggle-a-jelly, and intertidal touch pools.
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Engage with guests through using artifacts and conversation about sharks, sea turtles, seals, and other seasonal or temporary exhibits (including outdoor exhibits).
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Participate in members-only, fundraising, and educational special events. Some of these events may occur outside of operating hours.
Qualifications of an Ideal Candidate
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A desire to learn and demonstrate our mission: To inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment.
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Demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
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Ability to work with guests of all ages and needs.
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Ability to stand for long periods of time.
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Ability to handle touch tank animals such as, but not limited to, sea stars, crabs, mollusks, jellies, and horseshoe crabs.
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Multilingual skills (ex. Spanish, ASL, etc.) desired.
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Previous customer service and/or volunteering experience preferred.
Position Requirements
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Applicants need to be at least 15 years old to submit a Gallery Ambassador application.
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Non-working adult applicants are asked to commit to four 4-hour shifts per month. Working adults and students are asked to commit to one 4-hour shift per month (students are asked to commit to one 4-hour shift per week during the summer).
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A minimum commitment of 100 hours is required before letters of recommendation, or verification documents will be signed.
Application/Onboarding Process
Multiple training courses are held throughout the year. Please check above to see when the next training course will be held.
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Download, complete, and submit a Gallery Ambassador application.
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Applications are reviewed and qualified candidates are selected to participate in a group interview.
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Final candidates are invited to enter the Gallery Ambassador training comprised of an online course and workshops. Candidates must pay a $50 onboarding fee. Candidates 18 years of age and older must pass a criminal background check.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for animal husbandry volunteer program. Individuals are required to complete a minimum of 7.5 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks, after which point they can be eligible for an extension. These are not paid positions.
The Maritime Aquarium houses many species of fishes, invertebrates, frogs, and reptiles, from the Long Island Sound and beyond. Our aquarists work daily to provide the best husbandry for the animals in their care. From routine exhibit cleaning and feeding, to water quality testing and health examinations, our staff completes a wide variety of tasks as a part of their jobs every day.
An aquarist volunteer can be anyone 18 years of age or older, who is interested in assisting our team as they carry out their daily husbandry tasks. As a volunteer, individuals will learn how to maintain aquarium exhibits, prepare diets, complete water quality tests, and keep records, as well as be introduced to aquatic animal health assessments, quarantine procedures, and aquarium system design. If you have a love for animals, an enthusiastic attitude, and a willingness to learn, please consider applying to be a husbandry volunteer in one of our galleries! We are offering husbandry volunteer positions working with Jellies, Tropical Fish and Invertebrates, Cold Water Fish and Invertebrates, Frogs and Reptiles, and Hospital and Quarantine, for a total of 5 positions.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
- Some background knowledge in aquarium keeping preferred, although not required.
- Ability to lift and carry 65 pounds.
- Ability to negotiate stairs and maneuver on wet and uneven terrain.
- Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with both staff and guests.
- A desire to learn and demonstrate our mission: To inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment.
- Demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Minimum time requirement of at least 7.5 hours a week over a 12-week period or more.
- Upon acceptance, Volunteer will be required to pay a $40 administrative fee to defray the cost of a criminal background check, uniform polo and name tag to be worn while on duty at all times.
- Be dependable and punctual at all times.
- Attend educational sessions designed to increase interpretation of every day husbandry tasks.
To apply, please submit the online application below, followed by a cover letter, resume, and list of references to Jim Dauterman at jdauterman@maritimeaquarium.org.
Qualified applicants will be contacted via email to coordinate a skype, or in-person interview. Applicants will be selected after the interview process based upon general knowledge, experience, attitude, punctuality, and by recommendation.
Click Here to Download the Volunteer Application
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the marine mammal volunteer program. Individuals are required to complete a minimum of 7.5 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks, after which point they can be eligible for an extension. These are not paid positions.
The Maritime Aquarium is home to several species of mammals, both marine and terrestrial. We currently house harbor seals, North American river otters, slender-tailed meerkats, Geoffroy’s tamarins, a striped skunk and a prehensile-tailed porcupine. In addition to providing excellent husbandry care we strive to provide an engaging training program for our inhabitants. Training is an important part of daily animal care; allowing us to mentally and physically stimulate our animals on a daily basis. We train our animals for medical management behaviors such as blood draws, weights, and ultrasounds. We also train behaviors to physically stimulate our animals such as spins, jumps and waves.
Volunteers will assist us with a variety of tasks. Ideally a term would last 12 weeks, after this initial timeframe, volunteers would be eligible for an extension. This is not a paid position.
Please note that this position does not involve feeding or training the animals, however you will play an integral role assisting staff during training sessions and presentations, and work in close proximity to the animals.
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
- Applicants must be dependable
- Have excellent English written and oral communication skills
- Be comfortable bending and walking on uneven and wet terrain
- Be able to maneuver 65 lbs.
- Desire to learn and demonstrate our mission: To inspire people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment.
- Demonstrate high level of enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Minimum time requirement of at least 7.5 hours a week over a 12-week period or more.
- Upon acceptance, Volunteer will be required to pay a $40 administrative fee to defray the cost of a criminal background check, uniform polo and name tag to be worn while on duty at all times.
- Be dependable and punctual at all times.
- Attend educational sessions designed to increase interpretation of every day husbandry tasks.
To apply, please submit the online application below, followed by a cover letter, resume, and list of references address to Jim Dauterman at jdauterman@maritimeaquarium.org. Qualified applicants will be contacted via email to coordinate a skype, or in-person interview. Applicants will be selected after the interview process based upon general knowledge, experience, attitude, punctuality, and by recommendation.
Click Here to Download the Volunteer Application
Interested in joining the Aquarium Dive Team and helping with presentations from inside The Maritime Aquarium's "Ocean Beyond the Sound" exhibit (with 7-foot sharks)?
Minimum Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent experience)
- 25 logged open water dives
- DAN Insurance
- Current first-aid and C.P.R. certification
- Physician’s clearance to dive
- Ability to pass a swim and SCUBA assessment
- Commit to at least 12 shifts per year
Each candidate for the volunteer dive team must attend and successfully complete a swim and SCUBA assessment. Completed online application, signed Physician’s Statement and an invitation are all required to participate in the assessment.
For more information, please email our Dive Safety Officer at BDeGrim@maritimeaquarium.org.
Click Here for the Dive Team Application