Aquarist Internship – Spring 2027
Job Description
As a member of Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium aquarist team, aquarist volunteers are responsible for assisting with the care and maintenance of our collection of live animals 100% sourced in Rhode Island waters. You will have the opportunity to assist with our nursery, breeding, conservation, and rescue programs based out of our aquarium. Volunteers aid in the maintenance and cleaning of the exhibits, life support systems, and the care and feeding of animals. See a quick tour of our Aquarium here! Note: There are extremely limited positions for this role.
Time Commitment: Seeking volunteers for the February 1 – May 31 cohort, but can also accommodate the spring semester schedule (January – May). Volunteers commit to 2 full-day shifts (9:30am-4:30pm) per week for a period of 4 months.
- We occasionally have openings for half-day morning shifts (9:30am-1pm) 1x/week for a period of 4 months. These special opportunities will be listed on the volunteer portal if available.
Location: Hamilton Family Aquarium in Newport, RI
Role & Responsibilities
- General marine and freshwater animal care of species local to the Narragansett Bay and surrounding watershed, including day to day animal care, handling, moving animals from tank to tank, receiving new animals
- Animal husbandry, including preparing diets, cleaning tanks, removing animal waste
- Life support system maintenance, including washing filters, protein skimmers, water changes
- Assist with cleaning all quarantine and life support areas: cleaning nets, foot baths, floors
- Care and management of exhibits: scrubbing tanks, water chemistry monitoring, aquascaping
- Organism collection and release in Narragansett Bay
- Additional responsibilities are assigned as volunteer masters given tasks
Requirements
- Have a strong interest in maintaining and public aquariums (experience preferred)
- Interested in or have basic knowledge of small marine and freshwater animal care techniques, water quality management, aquarist duties, feeding techniques, and/or the maintenance of exhibits and life support systems
- Willing and able to work indoors and outdoors
- Able to lift up to 45lbs regularly, occasionally up to 60lbs
- Creative, reliable, and flexible team member
- Prompt arrival for shifts in uniform provided by Save The Bay
- Undergo a criminal background check
- Able to follow communication procedures and promptly answer inquiries via phone or email
- Enjoy working with people of various ages
- Willing to get wet and dirty
Application Items: Apply at volunteer.savebay.org/aquarium-volunteers. A PDF of your cover letter and resume must be submitted when applying for the Aquarist role. Last day to apply is January 13, 2027.
CONTACT: PATRIA KOMIEGA at pkomiega@rwu.edu for Work Study Position.
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.