Aquarist Intern, Wet Lab and Edge of the Sea Exhibit (Winter 2020/2021)
Time commitment:
125 hours minimum
Summary:
Interns in this department assist Aquarists with animal husbandry responsibilities for our New England touch-tank exhibit and related 800 gallon Seahorse, Hippocampus erectus exhibit and juvenile fish exhibit, as well as our fish and invertebrate holding room that includes the culturing of cnidarian jellies.
Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Taking and recording temperatures
- Managing daily feeding routines
- Removing and siphoning detritus from all exhibits and holding tanks
- Cleaning acrylic exhibit windows
- Interaction with visitors
- Filter cleanings
- Small culture water changes
- Trash removal
- Small craft projects
- Collecting animals from the Aquarium docks and the possibility of local New England fish collecting
- Attend professional development sessions with the Volunteer Programs and Internships Office
Skills/Qualifications:
- Must be able to tolerate moderate exposure to 55F water
- This position requires physical labor. Applicant must be able to lift and carry 40 lbs and must be comfortable using small ladders
- Must be able to work independently as well as with a team
- Must be able to take in and carry out multiple instructions in a timely manner
- General knowledge of Biology and filtration systems is helpful
- Experience working on small boats in cold weather conditions is helpful
Organizational Description:
The New England Aquarium’s mission is to protect the blue planet through hands-on programs, live animal and interactive exhibits, public lectures and forums, and research and conservation projects.
This mission is fulfilled through exhibits and education, conservation, and research programs. Exhibits showcase the diversity, importance, and beauty of aquatic life and habitats and highlight critical aquatic conservation issues. Programs emphasize species, habitats and issues critical to New England. The Aquarium is also a pioneer in marine animal rescue and a leading ocean conservation organization with research scientists working around the globe.
The New England Aquarium serves as a responsive community resource that attracts and involves the broadest possible audience, seeks a culturally diverse staff and governing board that reflect our community, adheres to the highest standards of animal stewardship, and is committed to delivering the highest quality visitor experience in a welcoming and enjoyable manner that evokes wonder, curiosity, understanding, care, and action.
Department Description:
The Wet Lab and Edge of the Sea staff support the New England Aquarium’s mission to protect the blue planet by creating and maintaining exhibits that encourage the public to care about the ocean and to become involved in conservation.