Aquarium staff member feeding terrapins

Full-Time Employment

The Virginia Aquarium recruits and hires most employees through the City of Virginia Beach, and offers generous professional development opportunities! View available full-time positions on the City's website.

Part-Time Contract Employment

We are currently hiring for the following part-time positions:

This position is open until filled.

Hourly Rate

$15.00

Hours

Vary based on program demand and include weekends and evenings.

Duties

Responsible for providing an exceptional guest experience by presenting engaging and informative educational presentations on Dolphin Watching tours in the summer and fall and on board our Atlantic Explorer catamaran and Atlantic Scout RIB.

  • Check-in guests on public tours and private charters.
  • Supervising volunteers.
  • Conduct educational programming for guests over a microphone and in person.
  • Provide exceptional customer service to every guest, every trip.

Requirements

  • Prior experience conducting nature programs in a formal or informal setting.
  • Valid driver's license
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.

Preferences

Preferences: Excellent presentation and in-person customer service skills; ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers and audiences of all ages; ability to handle tasks independently, detail-oriented; previous experience in an outdoor program setting and background in science is a plus.

How to Apply

Send resume and cover letter attention to Michael Mizell, Boat Program Specialist.

Email: MWMizell@VirginiaAquarium.com  (Include Boat Program Educator in the subject line.)

OR

Mail to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd.

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Salary 

$15/hour

Hours 

Will vary but will include weekends and some evenings.

Duties

  • Provide an exceptional experience for Aquarium guests.
  • Interact and engage with guests.
  • Facilitate one-on-one, small group, and large group programs, thematic evening events, and
  • science demonstrations.
  • Facilitate one-on-one interactions with Aquarium guests in key engagement areas throughout
  • both buildings including the Chesapeake Bay, Ray and Jellies Touch Pools, Sea Turtles, Sharks
  • and Otters.
  • Provide guests with educational information including conservation messages.
  • Provide and support additional educational engagement opportunities as needed.
  • Assist guests with customer service needs.
  • Coach and mentor teen and adult docents.

Requirements

  • High school diploma
  • Any combination of college coursework and work or volunteer experience equivalent to two years that includes science or education studies or teaching in an informal learning environment.

Preferences

Work or volunteer experience at an informal education site (aquarium, museum, zoo, etc.); customer service experience; excellent verbal presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with guests of all ages; ability to handle tasks independently and with attention to detail.

How to Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and two references to Karen Burns, Guest Engagement Supervisor.

Email: KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com (Include Guest Engagement Educator in the subject line)

or

Mail to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd.

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Attention: Karen Burns

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Hourly Rate

$15.00

Hours

Flexible shifts including weekends and holidays and be available to work between the hours of 8:30am and 6:30pm.

Duties

Provide exceptional guest service that transforms a day at the Aquarium from ordinary to extraordinary.

  • Greet all guests in line of sight with a smile, a verbal greeting, and approachable friendliness.
  • Sell merchandise, answer questions about the merchandise, maintain a clean and organized sales floor, and restock and process merchandise.
  • Receive payment by cash, credit cards, or vouchers. Issue receipts, refunds, or change due to guests.
  • Assist guests in a friendly and positive manner by using your knowledge of Aquarium offerings, prices, membership, directions, and general information.
  • Become familiar with the Aquarium's story – history, accomplishments, and future goals.
  • Go beyond what is expected – deliver personal experiences that inspire, delight, and engage.
  • Project a professional image while in uniform.

Requirements

  • Must be able to work flexible shifts including weekends and holidays and be available to work between the hours of 8:30am and 6:30pm.
  • This is a position that requires the applicant to stand for long periods of time, it is not a seated position.

Preferences

  • Outstanding customer service skills.
  • Completion of at least two years of high school.
  • Enthusiastic, motivated, and enjoy working with people.
  • Cash handling experience.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

How to Apply

Send a resume via email to TOCarrol@vbgov.com .

Hourly Rate

$15/hour

Hours

Will vary including some weekends and evenings.

Duties

Duties include:

  • Establishing relationships with and monitoring the participation of Sensible Seafood program partners.
  • Working with team members to create and conduct presentations for community-based organizations (outreach) and represent Sensible Seafood at community-based events.
  • Recruit new program partners.
  • Serving as a liaison for the Aquarium Sensible Seafood team and the program partners
  • Interacting and engaging with guests onsite and at offsite events.
  • Facilitating one-on-one, and small-group presentations onsite and at outreach events.
  • Develop and implement conservation-focused educational information and talking points.

Requirements

  • High school diploma.
  • Any combination of college coursework and work or volunteer experience equivalent to two years that includes science or education studies or teaching in an informal learning environment.

Preferences

Work or volunteer experience at an informal education site (aquarium, museum, zoo, etc.); customer service experience; excellent verbal presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with guests of all ages; ability to handle tasks independently and with attention to detail.

How to Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and two references to Karen Burns, Guest Engagement Supervisor.

Email: KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com (Include Sensible Seafood program educator in the subject line)

Hourly rate

$15.00

Hours

Hours vary, some weekends required.

Duties

Assist the horticulture section with nature trail and horticulture exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to:

  • Mulching, maintaining, and weeding plant and shrub beds, lawn areas, and walkways
  • Pruning and trimming trees and shrubs
  • Planting, raking, collecting, and removing debris
  • Operation of a lawnmower, leaf blower, and weed eater
  • Loading and unloading tools, equipment, soil, gravel, and sand for project assignments
  • Maintaining plants in an indoor environment
  • Storm damage cleanup
  • Other horticultural duties as required.

Requirements

  • High school graduate or GED plus some outdoor work experience.
  • Ability to use common gardening and hand tools.
  • Ability to perform physical labor under various climate conditions for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend and kneel for extended periods.
  • Ability to use a backpack blower and string trimmer for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Interact with staff, volunteers, and public in a pleasant and professional manner.

Preferences

  • Have a general knowledge of horticulture practices and a desire to learn.
  • Knowledge of native Virginia plants is desirable, but not required.
  • Horticulture experience is a plus.

To Apply

Email your resume and cover letter to BRoosa@VirginiaAquarium.com
or
mail to
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

If selected, applicants will be hired through Abacus Staffing Services.

Internships

We offer several internships for college students throughout the year. These unpaid volunteer positions provide career exploration for rising college juniors and seniors seeking academic credit with an interest in pursuing careers related to biology, marine biology, science education, aquarium sciences, or related support staff positions.

The Virginia Aquarium’s Guest Services Division is now accepting applications for a Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern. The application deadline is open until a candidate has been selected. Interns are expected to complete 160 hours over three consecutive months, depending on semester dates. Please note that this is an unpaid experience, and the Virginia Aquarium does not provide intern housing. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview

The Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern will be responsible for helping develop and implement Discovery Garden programs and Grab Go Show bags with a focus on fun educational content accessible to an early learning audience.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement Discovery Garden activities that encourage the exploration of nature and science through play for a young audience.
  • Facilitate programs that cater to an early learning audience that share core conservation messages that are easy for all guests to understand.
  • Create opportunities for a wide age range of children, including pre-kindergarten and school-aged children, to explore and learn about nature at the key engagement areas in the Aquarium.
  • Develop Grab Go Show bags to compliment messaging at key engagement areas: Rays, Upland River, and Sharks.
  • Conduct evaluation on the Discovery Garden programming offered to ensure educational goals are met.
  • Work with staff to ensure guests’ needs are met with excellent customer service.

Required Qualifications

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must be a rising sophomore, junior, or recent graduate.
  • Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
  • Must be physically fit, able to lift 50 pounds, and stand outdoors for long periods.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrate interest in a career in environmental education and/or science communication.
  • Have some experience working with an early learning or young audience.
  • Have excellent communication skills.
  • Be comfortable talking to guests and providing good customer service.

Position Requirements

  • Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
  • Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.
  • Be available to work during the Aquarium’s operating hours, 9:00am-5:00pm, and until 6:00pm during the summer, which includes weekends and holidays.

Intern Learning Objectives

  • Develop fundamental engagement skills and test strategies for informal environmental education communication.
  • Gain programming and facilitation skills by overseeing the entire program planning process.
  • Facilitate teamwork through positive actions and activities.
  • Deliver a formal report of the experience that includes insight and knowledge gained that can be shared with the education staff in an informal presentation.

Intern Schedule

The internship schedule is flexible to accommodate classes and work obligations.

Minimum Commitment Required

160 hours over a consecutive three-month period.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor

Equity, Community, and Learning Team Lead.

Work Location

Virginia Aquarium’s Main and South Buildings.

Application Requirements

A complete Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern application packet must include the following components. Only complete application packets will be considered.

Completed Application Packets

Email the completed application packet to: Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com  and copy KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com . Please put "Guest Engagement Intern Application Packet" in the subject line.

OR

Mail your completed application packet to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Boulevard

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant

The Virginia Aquarium’s Science Education Division is now accepting School Programs Intern applications for summer 2024. There is one unpaid position available. The application deadline is April 15, 2024. The internship duration is flexible between late May and mid-June 2024 and ending in August. Please note that this is an unpaid experience, and the Virginia Aquarium does not provide intern housing. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview

The intern will be introduced to various educational programs to help build marine science knowledge, public speaking and presentation skills, and confidence in teaching all ages in an informal setting.

Responsibilities

  • Engage school-aged children with live animal presentations and hands-on activities at the Aquarium and offsite at schools, daycares, rec centers, and libraries.
  • Engage school-aged children with live animal presentations, interactive discussions, Q&A sessions, and viewing aquarium habitats in a virtual setting.
  • Work with education specialists to complete administrative tasks and special projects related to school programming. Tasks may include developing new lesson plans and activities, conducting inventories, organizing supplies, and updating training materials.

Qualifications

  • An interest in science or education.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Comfortable interacting with children and adults.
  • Public speaking and customer service experience preferred.

Position Requirements

The intern will be expected to work with education staff to develop presentation skills and deliver program components to school-aged children. Depending on the intern’s objectives, they may work to create a special presentation or project.

Intern Learning Objectives

  • Review program outlines and animal information to build knowledge.
  • Shadow education staff during programs to build knowledge and presentation skills.
  • Co-instruct with education staff to practice skills and improve ability to communicate effectively with all ages.

Intern Schedule

Most education programs take place Monday-Saturday between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Some programs will require an earlier start for travel or are scheduled in the late afternoon. Interns must have a flexible schedule to assist with all programs during the summer.

Minimum Commitment Required

A minimum of 100 hours is required. The total hours can be determined based on the intern’s objectives and school credit requirements.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor

Virginia Aquarium’s School and Youth Programs Specialist

Work Location

Virginia Aquarium’s Main Building, South Building, and off-site locations.

Application Requirements

A complete School Programs Intern application packet must include the following components. Only complete application packets will be considered.

Completed Application Packets

Email the completed application packet to: Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com and copy DPMartin@VirginiaAquarium.com . Please put "School Programs Intern Application Packet" in the subject line.

OR Mail your completed application packet to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center 

717 General Booth Boulevard 

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 

Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant

The Virginia Aquarium’s Science Education Division is now accepting Summer Camp Intern applications for summer 2024. The application deadline is April 15, 2024. The internship duration is flexible, from late May to mid-June 2024 and ending in August. Please note that this is an unpaid experience, and the Virginia Aquarium does not provide intern housing. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview

Interns aid instructors in providing a safe, educational, and memorable experience to participants ages 4 to 15 attending summer camps at the Virginia Aquarium.

Responsibilities

  • Assist campers with hands-on experiments, live animal encounters, nature play, collecting live organisms, and behind-the-scenes encounters.
  • Assist with designing new activities and experiences for campers.
  • Prepare materials and teaching spaces.
  • Communicate with parents to facilitate check-in and check-out procedures.

Qualifications

  • Prefer candidate majoring in science or education.
  • Must have completed at least one year of college or a recent graduate within the past 12 months.
  • Must have the ability to recognize and share teachable moments with campers.
  • Must be able to work actively outdoors and in the water.
  • Experience working with children is a plus.

Position Requirements

The intern will be expected to work with education staff to develop presentation skills and deliver components of the camp to participants. The intern will also create activities that tie in with the camp’s theme and present activities to campers.

Intern Learning Objectives

  • Review camp outlines, activity plans, and animal information to build knowledge.
  • Attend scheduled camp training.
  • Complete KultureCity Sensory training and other sessions to build an understanding of children with special needs.
  • Shadow education staff during camps to build knowledge and presentation skills.
  • Co-instruct with education staff to practice skills and improve ability to communicate effectively with ages 4 to 15.

Intern Schedule

Summer camps take place Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. May require an adjusted schedule to facilitate early drop-offs and late pick-ups starting at 7:00am or ending at 6:00pm.

Minimum Commitment

A minimum of 120 hours is required.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor

Virginia Aquarium’s School and Youth Specialist.

Work Location

Virginia Aquarium’s Main Building, South Building, and offsite locations.

Application Requirements

A complete Summer Camp Intern application packet must include the following components. Only complete application packets will be considered.

Completed Application Packets

Email the completed application packet to: Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com and copy ATyree@VirginiaAquarium.com . Please put "Summer Camp Intern Application Packet" in the subject line.

OR Mail your completed application packet to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center 

717 General Booth Boulevard 

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant

Fellowships

Check back later for future openings! We offer fellowship opportunities in marine science, animal care, exhibits, and education, to college or post-graduate students. The Batten Fellowship also includes a stipend to help offset personal and incidental expenses. Batten Fellowships fund students to complete work in specific projects and programs. 

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