VOLUNTEER: We are currently accepting applications for education volunteers for October 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026. Volunteers must be a minimum of 16 years old, otherwise all ages are welcome.  Email volunteer@savebay.org with questions!

• Volunteer Educator: Educate visitors and help them interact with our live exhibits! Must be friendly, willing to learn, interested in marine biology, and able to commit to a regular 1/2 day shift per week. Apply here!
• Front Desk Volunteer: Welcome guests, process admission, membership, and gift shop sales, and restock and organize the gift shop. Must be friendly, willing to learn, and able to commit to one regular shift per week. Complete this form to be notified when we are accepting applications.
• Aquarist Volunteer: Work with our aquarist team to care for the aquarium animals. Must have a strong interest or experience with aquarium tanks and systems, be willing to get wet, and be able to commit to one regular AM (9:30am - 1pm) shift per week. Complete this form to be notified when we are accepting applications.

INTERNSHIPS: We are now accepting internship applications for fall 2025! Visit our internship page for details about this program.

• Aquarist Intern: Interns prepare for a career in marine biology by participating in all aspects of running a hands-on aquarium, including animal husbandry, tank maintenance, and animal collection and release. Must commit to a minimum of 2 days/week for the semester.
• Aquarium Education Intern: Build a foundation for a career in environmental education! Interns learn environmental education best practices and in-depth knowledge of the ecology of Narragansett Bay. Must commit to a minimum of 2 days/week (summer) or 1.5 days/week (fall/spring).

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who can volunteer/intern? All ages 16+ are welcome! Volunteers should be enthusiastic about engaging with the public, able to commit to a schedule, and interested in marine life and Narragansett Bay. We do not accept court-ordered community service volunteers at the Aquarium.

What kind of time commitment is required? We ask volunteers to commit to one regular half-day shift per week for a 4 month cycle*. Multiple or full-day shifts are welcome. See page 8 of our Docent Guide for shift times.

*During the summer volunteer cycle (June 1 - September 30), students and others tied to the academic schedule may volunteer for the duration of their summer break (approx. mid-June through August). These volunteers must commit to 2 half-day shifts/week or 1 full-day shift/week for a total of 70 hours. Due to the shorter commitment, summer break volunteers are only eligible for Education and Front Desk roles (not Aquarist).

What's the difference between a volunteer and an intern?

• Volunteers
  • 4-month commitment, minimum of 1 half-day shift/week
  • may participate in multiple roles, but each role has its own requirement
  • great fit for ongoing community involvement
  • wide range of people and schedules
• Interns
  • semester commitment (~3 months) for 2-3 days/week
  • may only complete one internship role at a time
  • geared towards college students, but anyone who can meet the time commitment may apply
  • students may be eligible for academic credit or work study through their college/university

When do you accept applications?  

• The application for Education volunteers is always open. Accepted volunteers will be onboarded for the next applicable cycle. 
  • Cycles are 4 months long, and begin on the 1st of the month in Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct, and Dec. Ex. if you apply in September, you will be considered for the Oct-Jan cycle.
• Aquarist and Front Desk applications are opened on an as-needed basis. 
• Interested in a future volunteer cycle or a role not currently available? Complete this form to be notified when a new need or cycle is posted.
• Internships run every semester. Applications open 3-4 months in advance.

How can I become a volunteer/intern? 

1. Create an account in our volunteer portal if you don't have one already. See youth volunteering for setting up an account as a minor.
2. Fill out the application for the position you are interested in. There are separate applications for volunteers and interns.
3. Attend an interview with our aquarium staff.
4. Attend an orientation at the aquarium where our staff will walk you through a typical volunteer shift, give you an overview of the space, and introduce the touch tanks/back of house/front desk duties, depending on your role.

Questions? Contact us at volunteer@savebay.org!