VOLUNTEER for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Do you love the ocean? Are you interested in teaching others about the amazing creatures that live along the North Carolina Coast? If so, then volunteer at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher!
Volunteers are vital to the operation of all of the Aquarium's programs. From helping to teach the public to assisting with plant or animal care to diving in to clean an exhibit, we simply could not do it without them.
Volunteers commit to at least four hours per week for four months, or one semester (with the training involved, volunteers in some areas are encouraged to stay on for a full year), helping in one of the following capacities:
Education Volunteers assist the education staff with a variety of programs for the public. Opportunities may include: Exhibit Interpreters for the Touch Tank and Let's Talk Turtle Exhibit, small group tour guides, smart carts and presentations, classroom crafts, off site festivals and special events. Must be willing and able to relate to the public, including large school and tour groups. Excellent customer service skills are a must.
HorticultureVolunteers assist the staff Horticulturist with plant care among a variety of different habitats. These opportunities may include: planting, watering plants, mulching, fertilizing, inspecting plants, identifying and labeling of a diversity of plant species, caring for seedlings, controlling pests, and cleaning exhibits and back-up areas. Volunteer applicants should have a basic knowledge of plants and their care and be willing to read and learn about daily needs of plant specimens. Must be willing to get wet and occasionally dirty. Must be physically able to work and lift some heavy materials.
Certified Dive Volunteers assist the Dive Safety Coordinator and Volunteer Lead Dive Staff with routine cleaning procedures and maintenance of the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit. Trained volunteers have the opportunity to present popular education programs to audiences at our daily Dive Shows. Volunteer applicants must be scuba-certified and in good health, and proof of a recent physical is mandatory. Potential divers must be at least 18 years of age and must successfully complete a swim test, an underwater skills test and a husbandry practicum.
Volunteer Aquarists assist in the general maintenance of filtration systems as well as both freshwater and saltwater exhibits. Volunteers assist aquarists with tasks such as diet preparation, feeding animals, cleaning tanks, and monitoring water conditions. Other duties may include performing routine water changes, maintenance of back-up areas, record keeping and data entry. Applicants for this position must be prepared to get wet and dirty.
Application and Orientation
Those interested in volunteering at the Aquarium must first complete a Volunteer Application Form
and submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator. A list of orientation dates will then be forwarded to each applicant. All potential volunteers must attend one orientation. Orientations are the perfect time to find out what the aquarium is all about, meet aquarium staff, and learn more about our volunteer opportunities.
The North Carolina Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office funds a variety of summer internships throughout state government, sometimes including internships at the three North Carolina Aquariums. Application deadlines are typically in January. For more information and to check availability of these internships, please visit the YAIO website:
The North Carolina Aquariums are a state-run facility and
full time employment opportunities are handled through the
North Carolina Office of State Personnel. For a complete listing
of positions available, visit the OSP
website or contact the Office of State Personnel at 919-733-3182.
All applications for North Carolina Aquarium positions should
include a State
Application PD-107 form and should be recieved no later
than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will not be accepted
in lieu of the PD-107 form.
Applications should be sent to:
NC Aquariums
Attn:// Donna Randall
3125 Poplarwood Ct., Suite 160
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: (919) 877-5500, ext. 230
Current Vacancies
at Fort Fisher:
T-1 Aquarium Technician Position
A background check will be required for applicant recommended for hire.
This position will work under the supervision of both the Aquarium Curator and staff Aquarists. Primary responsibilities include: preparing and feeding the animals within the Aquarium’s collection, cleaning and maintaining aquarium exhibits and holding systems, recognizing symptoms of disease and poor animal health, maintaining life support systems, maintaining accurate data bases, construction of new exhibits and acquisition of new animals for display.
Applicants must have a thorough understanding of animal husbandry techniques with a minimum of 100 hours working with aquatic animals in a public aquarium setting. The successful candidate must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds, possess SCUBA certification or obtain within 6 months of hiring, be able to work weekends and some holidays. This is a 40-hour/week position.
Please submit State Application PD-107 www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs to Angie Leary by fax (910) 458-6812, mail: NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Attn: Personnel, 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC, 28449 or by email. angie.leary@ncmail.net
