Create an account if it is your first time here!
See Youth volunteering for information on how to set up an account as a minor, or on volunteering as a family.
See our Aquarium Volunteer page for an overview of the program.
As a member of Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium aquarist team, aquarist volunteers are responsible for assisting with the care and maintenance of our collection of live animals 100% sourced in Rhode Island waters. You will have the opportunity to assist with our nursery, breeding, conservation, and rescue programs based out of our aquarium. Volunteers provide assistance in the maintenance and cleaning of the exhibits, life support systems, and the care and feeding of animals. See a quick tour of our Aquarium here!
Time Commitment: 2 full-day shifts (9:30am-4:30pm) per week for a period of 4 months.
- Cohorts run from February-May, June-September, and October-January. We can accommodate semester length schedules for students.
- We occasionally have openings for half-day morning shifts (9:30am-1pm), also 1x/week for a period of 4 months. These special opportunities will be listed here if available: there are no half-day opportunities at this time.
Role & Responsibilities
- General marine and freshwater animal care of species local to the Narragansett Bay and surrounding watershed, including day to day animal care, handling, moving animals from tank to tank, receiving new animals
- Animal husbandry, including preparing diets, cleaning tanks, removing animal waste
- Life support system maintenance, including washing filters, protein skimmers, water changes
- Assist with cleaning all quarantine and life support areas: cleaning nets, foot baths, floors
- Care and management of exhibits: scrubbing tanks, water chemistry monitoring, aquascaping
- Organism collection and release in Narragansett Bay
- Additional responsibilities are assigned as volunteer masters given tasks
Requirements
- Have a strong interest in maintaining and public aquariums (experience preferred)
- Interested in or have basic knowledge of small marine and freshwater animal care techniques, water quality management, aquarist duties, feeding techniques, and/or the maintenance of exhibits and life support systems
- Willing and able to work indoors and outdoors
- Able to lift up to 45lbs regularly, occasionally up to 60lbs
- Creative, reliable, and flexible team member
- Prompt arrival for shifts in uniform provided by Save The Bay
- Undergo a criminal background check
- Able to follow communication procedures and promptly answer inquiries via phone or email
- Enjoy working with people of various ages
- Willing to get wet and dirty
Application Items: APPLY HERE! You must submit a PDF file of your cover letter and resume to be considered for an aquarist volunteer position.
Internship Credit: This opportunity is open to all ages. If you are a student, we will gladly work with your university if they offer college credit for unpaid internships or work study. Many colleges offer stipends for students doing unpaid internships. Check out our Student Guide to Internship Funding for tips!
Additional Save The Bay internships available here!
