Volunteer ~ Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Adult Volunteer Opportunities

Admissions Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Your outgoing personality is the perfect fit for this position! Work on the front lines greeting and directing Aquarium guests. Volunteer answers visitor questions, monitors assigned areas and shares details about special programs and experiences at both buildings. The ideal candidate is friendly, patient, comfortable standing for an extended period of time and working with large crowds. Bilingual applicants are a plus! Volunteer is required to work at least one four hour shift every week. Apply today!

Animal Ambassador Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Volunteers assist staff with caring for Aquarium animal ambassadors; birds and small mammals. In addition to preparing meals and feeding the animals, volunteers assist with maintaining animal care areas and clean animal enclosures. This position requires bending, reaching and lifting. Candidates must be comfortable getting wet and dirty. A minimum of one four hour shift a week is required. Apply today!

Aquarium Store Inventory Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Interested in what happens behind the scenes in a retail operation? Volunteer as an inventory assistant and help price and inspect merchandise before it goes on the sales floor, assist with maintaining stock room and annual inventory. This position is ideal for individuals who prefer working behind the scenes. Candidates must be available to volunteer at least one four hour shift a week. Apply today!

Aquarium Store Retail Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Looking to develop or enhance your retail and customer service skills? Volunteer as an Aquarium store retail assistant! Volunteers assist with engaging visitors and responding to inquiries, displaying merchandise, maintaining the sales floor and helping with crowd control. Retail and customer service experience a plus. Candidates must be willing to develop knowledge of Aquarium store products and be available to volunteer at least one four hour shift a week. Apply today!

Birthday Party Helper

Volunteer assists education staff with children's birthday parties. This includes helping with set-up and cleanup, greeting guests as they arrive and leading activities to engage birthday party guests. Candidates must have good communication skills, be comfortable working with children of varying ages and have a high energy level. An interest in marine science and experience working with children preferred. Apply today!

Diver

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
Dive in the Red Sea among live coral, eagle rays and exquisite fish. As a member of the Aquarium's dive team you can explore this habitat and much more! Volunteer divers assist aquaria staff with in-tank maintenance and perform dive programs for the public. For consideration, applicants must be advanced open water scuba certified with at least 25 logged open water dives. Ten dives must have been completed within the last 12 months. Candidates must also participate in dive trials. Upon acceptance in the program a minimum commitment of eight hours a month is required. View volunteer diver basic requirements. Apply today!

Docent

If you love to learn and enjoy connecting with a diverse group of people this is the position for you! As a docent you will share information about the Aquarium's exhibits and Virginia's marine environment with visitors. Candidates must have above average communication skills, be comfortable with large crowds, interacting with children and able to stand for an extended period of time. Current and former teachers or applicants with an interest in marine biology are ideal. Following training, a minimum commitment of one four-and-a-half hour shift a week for one year is required. Apply today!

Dolphin Discoveries Docent

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
As a volunteer aboard the Atlantic Explorer you will work closely with Aquarium educators showing NOAA permitted bio-facts. Volunteers answer guests' questions about marine life off the coast of Virginia Beach and assist with a variety of customer service duties such as boarding and ticketing. Candidates should be comfortable with public speaking, have previous customer service experience, be capable of working with limited supervision, enjoy being outdoors in all elements, and not be affected by motion sickness. Dolphin Discoveries season is March - October. Apply today!

Fishes Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

This position is perfect for individuals who love marine animals and have a biology background. Volunteers work behind the scenes assisting staff with caring for aquariums. Candidate must be able to commit to at least four hours of service each week: two days at four hours each or one day at eight hours. Apply today!

Flower Guild

Tap into your creative side to design floral arrangements for the lobbies of both Aquarium buildings! Volunteers are required to design two arrangements a year. Apply today!

Green Team Project Coordinator

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

The Virginia Aquarium is committed to educating the public about the marine environment and inspiring conservation of wildlife and wild places. The Green Team Project Coordinator supports these efforts by promoting environmentally responsible and sustainable practices and assisting with green activities. Volunteer represents the Aquarium's Green Team at local events, assist with coordinating clean-up and e-cycle activities as well as other projects. Candidates must have an interest in and knowledge of environmental issues, be extremely organized with excellent presentation skills, a demonstrated ability to manage projects and a flexible schedule. Apply today!

Horticulture

Indulge your love of plants and gardening by assisting the Aquarium's horticulture staff with maintaining planting areas. The following volunteer positions are available:

Horticulture Education Materials Assistant
Assist horticulture staff in developing and maintaining plant profile books for exhibit areas containing live plant material. Candidates must have good organizational skills. Knowledge of local native plants a plus.
Horticulture – Gardener
Assist horticulture staff in maintaining and enhancing garden exhibits. Ideal candidates should be comfortable standing, bending and walking for prolonged periods and have the ability to withstand outdoor conditions such as heat, humidity, cold and insects. Knowledge of plant identification and/or life cycles is helpful.
Horticulture - Greenhouse Assistant
Assist horticulture staff in maintaining greenhouse and related greenhouse projects. Candidates should be comfortable standing, bending and walking for prolonged periods and have the ability to withstand outdoor conditions such as heat, humidity, cold and insects. Experience propagating plants is helpful.
Horticulture Indoor Exhibit Assistant
Assist horticulture staff in maintaining indoor exhibits containing live plant material. Experience working around birds and turtles is a plus.
Horticulture - Invasive Eradication Specialist
Assist horticulture staff in eradicating invasive plant species on the trail. (Phragmites, bamboo, ivy, honeysuckle, greenbrier, mustard, microstegium, ficaria, etc.) Candidates must have the ability to work independently, stand and bend for prolonged periods and withstand various outdoor conditions. Some knowledge of invasive plants helpful.
Horticulture - Trail Assistant
Assist horticulture staff in keeping nature trails, marsh, and woodland clean and aesthetically pleasing. Candidates should be comfortable standing, bending and walking for prolonged periods and have the ability to withstand outdoor conditions such as heat, humidity, cold, insects and wild animals. Candidates must also be comfortable interacting with Aquarium staff and the public in pleasant, professional manner. Experience with a leaf blower, lawn mower and/or string trimmer ideal.

Volunteer schedules vary. If you are interested in any of the above positions, please select horticulture on your application. Apply today!

Life Support and Building Systems Assistant

Volunteers Assist with monitoring and maintaining equipment associated with the Aquarium's live animal Exhibit. This includes various projects ranging from system rehabilitations, repairs and retrofits to new construction design, installation, project planning, and data analysis/collection. Ideal candidate will have experience in engineering fields such as electrical, power, electronics, mechanical, energy, systems, industrial, process or manufacturing engineering. Experience drafting and reading blueprints and drafting schematic or shop drawings a plus. Proficiency with Data entry/data analysis helpful. Apply today!

Mammal Care Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
Roll up your sleeves and start prepping! Volunteers enjoy the messier side of maintaining the Aquarium's marine mammals by preparing food and assisting staff with cleaning. This position is ideal for candidates who love marine mammals and want to learn more about these amazing creatures. Applicants must be able to lift at least 50 pounds, kneel and stand for extended periods of time and have good hand and eye coordination. A minimum of one hour shift a week is required. Apply today!

Nature Play Place Mentor

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Volunteers mentor nature play place docents while providing guests with information about the Aquarium's Nature Play Place area. This position is for parents/guardians of 11 and 12 year old nature play place docents. Parent's/guardian's application must be attached when youth application is submitted. This position is also opened to candidates with mentor experience, ability to work with children, an outgoing and personable demeanor and an interest in nature play. Apply today!

Office Assistant

Are you very organized? Do you have great communication skills? Are you proficient with Microsoft Office? If so, submit your application right away for this position! Volunteers work in various Aquarium departments assisting with administrative tasks. Applicants should be flexible and have great interpersonal skills. Apply today!

On-Site Education Program Assistant

The Virginia Aquarium provides engaging and interactive educational programs to students from preschool to college. The On-site Education Program Assistant will assist the School Programs Specialist with teaching students through hands-on learning such as experiments, live animal presentations, problem-solving, and making observations. Applicants must be at least 21 years old with experience teaching students, good customer service skills, the ability to lift 25 pounds as well as stand and walk for several hours. Apply today!

Scout Program Assistant

Volunteer assists staff with scout day programs, overnights and service projects. Candidate must have an interest in marine science and/or marine biology and the ability to communicate with young children and teenagers. Experience developing and leading various craft and recreational activities a plus. Apply today!

Stranding Response Team

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Stranding Response Team volunteers promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation and education. Volunteers respond to dead and live marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, assist with necropsies (animal autopsy) and tissue sampling, help with live animal rehabilitation and medical procedures and assist with data entry and data collection. Candidates must be physically and mentally fit and able to carry at least 35 pounds and assist with heavier loads. The ability to hike for five miles or more, work in extreme weather conditions is also required. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record. Apply today!

Toddler Programs Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

This is a great opportunity to bring out your inner child! Assist the Toddler Program Coordinator with planning and presenting engaging activities at weekly Toddler programs. Activities include stories, songs, outdoor adventures and animal mysteries. Prefer candidates with experience working with children. Applicants with artistic and/or musical abilities a plus. Apply today!

Water Quality Lab Assistant

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Volunteers assist staff with performing daily water quality analyses, maintaining lab records and cleanup. Specifically, this includes calibrating pH and salinity meter, measuring and recording salinities, pHs and alkalinities and washing sample bottles and glassware. Candidates must be able to stand an extended period of time with minimal breaks, have good vision, excellent fine motor skills and knowledge of safe laboratory practices. Applicants must also be punctual, reliable and detail oriented with the ability to maintain legible, neat and accurate records. Apply today!

Whales & Wildlife Docent

THIS POSITION CLOSES OCTOBER 25.

As a volunteer aboard the Atlantic Explorer you will work closely with Aquarium educators showing NOAA permitted bio-facts. Volunteers answer guests' questions about marine life off the coast of Virginia Beach and assist with a variety of customer service duties such as boarding and ticketing. Candidates should be comfortable with public speaking, have previous customer service experience, be capable of working with limited supervision, enjoy being outdoors in all elements, and not be affected by motion sickness. The Whales and Wildlife season is November - February. Apply today!