Volunteer Application Form

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.

• 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 $50 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 Rachel Stein at rstein@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.

Name and address

First name:

Last name:

Title:

Nickname:

Street 1:

Street 2:

Street 3:

City:

State:

* Zip: *

Home phone:

* OK to call me here

Work phone:

* OK to call me here

Cell phone:

OK to call me here

Email address:

Demographic Information

You may optionally provide the following information. It is used only to help us get a better idea of the demographic make-up of our volunteers.

Date of birth:

Age range:

Gender:

Education:

T-Shirt size:

Ethnicity:

Major degree:

School:

High School:

College:

What is your main area of interest, and how did you hear about our volunteer opportunities?

Availability

Please indicate the days and times you are usually available to volunteer.

Email Preferences

We like to keep volunteers informed of important news, schedules, and volunteer opportunities by email, however will not send you any email you prefer not to receive. Use the checkboxes below to select the kinds of email you would like to receive from us.

What kinds of email would you like to receive?

Electronic newsletters

Recruitment appeals

Schedule reminders

Checklist reminders

Emergency contact information

First name:

Last name:

Home phone:

Relationship:

Previous volunteer experience

Do you currently, or have you ever, done volunteer work for any other organization? If yes, please list the organization and dates of service:

Previous Maritime Aquarium experience

Do you currently, or have you ever, worked at The Maritime Aquarium as a Volunteer, Intern, or Paid Staff member? If yes, please list the title and dates of service:

Previous work experience

1

2

Employer name:

First name:

Last name:

Title:

City:

State:

Work phone:

* OK to call here

Work phone:

* OK to call here

Email address:

Skills, hobbies, interests

Please outline any previous animal care experience

Service requirements

Becoming a Maritime Aquarium Animal Husbandry Volunteer can be an exciting and rewarding experience. As an Animal Husbandry volunteer, you will serve an important role in helping the Animal Husbandry staff maintain their galleries and animals. Being an Animal Husbandry Volunteer requires that you are able to perform several job functions:

• All applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of submitting application.

• All applicants must successfully complete an introductory training course. Training courses are held in October, March, and June. Each session covers marine science, public speaking skills and activities designed to foster good relations among volunteers.

• Preference will be given to applicants who have served as a Gallery Ambassador for at least 3 months, those with equivalent experience (6-12 months experience in aquarium-keeping, aquaculture, or a related field)

• All applicants agree to pay a training fee which helps to defray the costs of a Volunteer uniform shirt, name badge, background check, and materials related to the training course ($40.00).

• All applicants must be able to lift 65 lbs, navigate stairs and tight passageways, and stay on their feet for long periods of time.

• All applicants must be willing and able to speak to aquarium guests and lead educational talks at assigned exhibits.

• All applicants must be willing and able to volunteer both indoors and outdoors, regardless of weather.

• All applicants must be willing and able to handle and prep frozen fish, shellfish, and other seafood.

• All applicants are required to pass a criminal background check, which requires a valid US Social Security number.

• Other duties as assigned.

SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

There are a few things that you need to know before deciding to take the next steps in joining our volunteer program. Our mission is to assist the animal husbandry staff in providing the best possible care to the animals at our facility. Much of the work in the animal husbandry department is food prep, water quality, scrubbing and cleaning, and other forms of manual labor. This is an unpaid volunteer position.

Adult Applicants: If accepted as a Maritime Aquarium Volunteer, I agree to be available to volunteer once a week for a minimum starting commitment of 3 months. I understand that I can be asked to leave the volunteer program at any time at the discretion of the animal husbandry department. I have read the acknowledgment of understanding, I have considered the requirements and essential functions, and I would like to submit my application for The Maritime Aquarium Volunteer Program. I certify that I am at least 18 years of age

I Agree