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Adult Volunteer Opportunities

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Onboarding and Applications

Onboarding takes place 3 times a year:

Summer: Applications accepted from February 1st – May 31st, interviews conducted in June, onboarding in July

Fall: Applications accepted from June 1st – September 30th, interviews conducted in October, onboarding in November

Winter/Spring: Applications accepted from October 1st – January 31st, interviews conducted in February, onboarding in March

Click Here for Volunteer Application

Please read all requirements for each volunteer position before applying. For any questions about applications or volunteer opportunities, please contact us at volunteer@wavefoundation.org

Looking to volunteer with our Dive Team? Check out our Dive Team Page to learn more!

Animal Care Team

Animal Care Team Volunteers will provide assistance to the Animal Care staff with tasks including food preparation for animals, exhibit cleaning and maintenance (this includes animal waste), cleaning food prep areas and instruments, and special projects for the exhibits and quarantine tanks. Experience in these tasks is preferred, but not required.

Currently, Newport Aquarium houses three groups of animals: Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians, and Aquatic Animals (fish, sharks, jelly fish, etc.). All Animal Care Team Volunteers will be asked to select one of these groups to work with when they are onboarded to the team. Note that some animal groups may be full with volunteers, so we may ask you to rank your preference.

Animal Care 1

Volunteers must be:

  • 18 years or older
  • Comfortable working around large volumes of water
  • Comfortable working with aquatic animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
  • Comfortable with preparation of foods (including live foods) for feeding to animals
  • No history of allergy related to animals or plants which might interfere with ability to volunteer
  • Able to remain on your feet for up to 4 hours, bend, stoop, climb stairs, and lift 25lbs.
  • Commit to a minimum of 2 shifts, 8 hours each, per month (shifts are 8 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1 p.m.-5 p.m.)
  • If accepted as an Animal Care Team Volunteer, a one-time administrative fee of $50 is due at time of orientation

Education

WAVE educators presenting information about a penguin in a clear display next to the table.

The WAVE Education volunteers engage guests on and off-site with our ambassador animals. This position is on a mission to excite, engage, and educate school-aged children about the wonders of aquatic life and the importance of conservation. This is ideal for individuals with strong communication skills, a love of learning, and a want to interact with diverse groups of people.

Our Education Programs include, but are not limited to: WAVE on Wheels, Living Curriculum Initiative, Gills Club, and Camp WAVE.

WAVE Education volunteers receive training to handle animal ambassadors such as African Penguins, Coral Cat Sharks, American Alligators, and Sand Boas.

Volunteers must be:

  • 18 years or older
  • Comfortable working with aquatic animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
  • Able to commit to 4 outreach programs a year

Exhibit Interpretation

Exhibit Interpreters engage guests with educational information and experiences that go beyond the aquarium glass. Our WAVE Discovery Stations aid in the delivery of educational and conservation material through the use of artifacts. Periodically, Exhibit Interpreters will act as mentors to high school-aged students that are interested in aquatic life and conservation. This is ideal for individuals with strong communication skills, a love of learning, and a want to interact with diverse groups of people.

Exhibit Interpreters receive training to engage our guests, answer questions about everything within the aquarium, interpret exhibits, and using discovery stations.

Volunteers must be:

  • 18 years or older
  • Able to commit to 8 hours a month (at least 2 shifts)
  • If accepted as an Exhibit Interpreter, a one-time $25 administration fee is due at the time of orientation

Office and Special Events

Office & Special Events Volunteers will assist the entire WAVE Foundation Team with administrative projects including updating databases, assisting with paperwork preparation, supply ordering, and volunteer tracking. They will also serve as an ambassador for WAVE Foundation in the community and at our annual fundraising events. A great volunteer for this position should be organized and ready to engage with both current and prospective volunteers, have great organization skills, and an outgoing personality that is passionate about WAVE Foundation’s mission.

This volunteer position is episodic, meaning that there are not necessarily needs on a weekly basis. Assistance from WAVE Office & Special Events volunteers is needed at key points in our year; prior to large events, prior to new volunteer and intern onboarding, etc. Volunteers in this position will be notified when hours are available and for what tasks.

Volunteers must be:

  • 18 years or older
  • Flexible with working varying hours throughout the year
  • If accepted as an Office and Special Events Volunteer, a one-time $25 administration fee is due at the time of orientation