These volunteers must be 18 years or older and willing to commit to at least 6 months and 8 hours each month. This is ideal for individuals with strong communication skills, who love to learn and want to interact with a diverse group of people. Exhibit Interpreters receive training to engage our guests and answer questions about everything within the Aquarium, interpret exhibits and staff hands-on stations. They are stationed throughout the Aquarium telling great stories and teaching you something new. Volunteers are needed 7 days a week; see the schedule on the volunteer application. |
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Volunteer divers assist with a variety of duties including maintaining exhibit appearance, food preparation and feeding of the fish. With additional training, some divers move onto D.I.V.E. (Diver Interactive Volunteer Educational) program – giving presentations underwater while in the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit. Diver applicants must meet the following requirements: 18 years of age, advanced open water certificate, written assessment, buoyancy assessment, first aid & CPR certification and diver resume. We bring on volunteer divers once a year in the spring. We are accepting applications now for the up coming year.
The Summer Naturalist program is for high school students ages 14 to 17 years. Students receive extensive training about our animals and exhibits and in turn help interpret exhibits, educate and enhance our guests’ experience at the Aquarium. Students must commit to a minimum of 100 hours on the exhibit floor from March through Labor Day Weekend. Teen applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor or other adult sponsor (other than a parent) with their application. A completed application must be received no later than February 15th of the year applying.
We always need help behind-the-scenes with mailers, filing, data entry, phone calls, craft preparation, events and more to help keep the WAVE Foundation and the Aquarium running around the clock.
This position is perfect for people who are interested in learning more about the care of our animals. Volunteers work behind the scenes preparing animal food, water quality, and specific exhibits along side our biologists. Our husbandry department recruits volunteers on an as-needed basis. These positions are usually full and have a waiting list. This is a weekly commitment.
WAVE Foundation Internship Programs
Requirements: Students must have completed one year of college (must be of sophomore, junior, or senior status) and must be registered for credit at a two or four year college or university. Approval from the student's academic advisor is required at time of application. Previous experience in aquarium keeping is desired. Please submit a cover letter with this application and advisor form (found on the website) describing how this internship will assist in your career development. Include a discussion on relevant courses and experience that you would like us to consider with your application. With your completed application, please submit a cover letter, resume, advisor form (found on the website) and copy of your transcripts.
Newport Aquarium
Volunteer & Intern Services
One Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071
Compensation: These are unpaid internships in which credit is awarded for volunteer hours. Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours in one semester.
Season: Interns will be recruited for winter, spring, summer, and fall semesters.
- Winter intern applications must be received by October 1st.
- Spring intern applications must be received by November 1st.
- Summer intern applications must be received by February 1st.
- Fall intern applications must be received by June 1st.
WAVE Foundation
Volunteer & Intern Services
One Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071
HUSBANDRY INTERNSHIP:
The Aquarium husbandry internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in the field of exotic animal care to undergraduate students majoring in biology, environmental science, or related field. Students will dedicate a minimum of 150 hours working alongside working alongside husbandry staff in applying classroom knowledge to maintain a diverse collection of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. In addition, students will be requested to complete a project as designed by the intern's supervisor.
Aquatic Intern: The fish and invertebrate husbandry internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in the field of aquatic animal care. The students will be working alongside aquatic biologists while applying classroom knowledge to maintain a diverse collection of marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates as well as some amphibians and reptiles. Animal care routines will include an extensive amount of diet preparation and maintaining the animal's habitats. In addition, this internship will focus on the principals of closed system aquariums.
Rainforest Intern: The rainforest internship program is designed to provide a broad-spectrum experience in the filed of professional animal care. The students will be working with rainforest biologists while applying classroom knowledge and field experience to maintain the Aquarium's rainforest exhibit which houses a collection of otters, tropical birds, reptiles, amphibians, terrestrial invertebrates and fishes. Rainforest interns will also learn about managing the horticulture in a large greenhouse exhibit, including pest management, plant propagation and plant selection.
Veterinary Intern: The veterinary internship is designed specifically to provide the opportunity for hands on exotic veterinary experience aimed at 3rd and 4th year undergraduates actively pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. This internship will expose students to the principles of health management within set populations; disease and parasite diagnosis, control and prevention; quarantine assignment and management as well as those specialized skills required in the treatment and management of ongoing cases. The Newport Aquarium’s diversified collection will introduce the student to aspects of aquatic, avian, reptilian, amphibian and mammalian medicine. This internship is only offered in the summer.
Water Quality Intern: Students will assist laboratory technicians with monitoring the aquatic environments of both freshwater and marine aquarium by learning water analysis techniques. The water quality intern will also learn how to correct water quality parameters to better meet the animals' needs. This internship will expose the student to an actual working laboratory that is central to the function of a public aquarium. (Applicants need not be chemistry majors. Any of the majors listed under the requirement section are acceptable.)
ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIPS:
Public Relations Intern: The public relations internship is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to public relations at a fast-paced animal-based attraction. Students will assist and support the Public Relations Manager in a unique environment. He/she will aid with marketing - and promotion - related projects. This is an unpaid position that requires solid communications and writing skills.
Click here to download the Volunteer Application Form (PDF).
Click here to download the Intern Advisor Application Form (PDF).
The Newport Aquarium provides:
Volunteer shirt, nametag and ID card
Annual pass
Orientation and manual
Training
Volunteer events
Discounts at the café, gift shop and Sweet Dreams Candy Store
Opportunities to meet new people, develop new skills and learn about our animals and conservation projects. 
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Dive program:
Summer Naturalist program:
Husbandry volunteers:
