Fall Aquarist Intern Freshwater Gallery

To Apply: 

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Time commitment: 

12 Weeks. At least Two Full Days Per Week (8:00 am-5:00 pm)

Summary: 
Interns assist staff Aquarists with daily animal husbandry responsibilities of the New England Aquarium's Freshwater Gallery, including feeding of fish, reptiles and amphibians, maintaining aquarium systems and other routine animal care duties. This gallery focuses on freshwater areas from the Amazon River Basin to the rivers and ponds of New England. Interns have the opportunity to learn about the daily care of animals such as piranhas, Amazonian reptiles, cichlids, and salmonids in addition to the daily care of live plants. 
 

  Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:  

• Provide daily care, maintenance, and assist with the appearance of the gallery
• Maintain windows, backgrounds, and habitats of exhibits and holding systems
• Diet preparation and feeding, including vitamins and supplements
• Record and monitor water parameters
• Daily organizing and upkeep for behind-the-scenes spaces
• Maintain exhibit life support systems including protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, and mechanical filtration processes.
• Participate in operant conditioning and enrichment of various species
• Maintain animal welfare standards
• In-water cleaning tasks including cleaning windows and scrubbing habitat.
• Assist staff with projects in the gallery
• Potential to assist in other Galleries (Tropical, Temperate, Yawkey, Northern Waters)
• Record keeping in regulation to protocols set forth by NEAq
• Potential to observe and assist with veterinary procedures
• Attend professional development sessions with the Volunteer Programs and Internships office

Qualifications: 

• The position requires physical labor. Applicant must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be able to climb multiple flights of stairs
• Must be able to take in and carry out multiple instructions and execute them in a timely manner
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be comfortable working with animal food items, including raw seafood
• Work in confined spaces of varying temperatures, light, and sound levels
• Must be comfortable working with live food items such as fruit flies, crickets, and worms

Organizational Description: 
 
The New England Aquarium’s mission is to protect the blue planet through hands-on programs, live animal and interactive exhibits, public lectures and forums, and research and conservation projects. 
 
This mission is fulfilled through exhibits, and through education, conservation and research programs. Exhibits showcase the diversity, importance and beauty of aquatic life and habitats, and highlight critical aquatic conservation issues. Programs emphasize species, habitats and issues critical to New England. The Aquarium is also a pioneer in marine animal rescue, and a leading ocean conservation organization with research scientists working around the globe. 
 
The New England Aquarium serves as a responsive community resource that attracts and involves the broadest possible audience; seeks a culturally diverse staff and governing board that reflect our community; adheres to the highest standards of animal stewardship; and is committed to delivering the highest quality visitor experience in a welcoming and enjoyable manner that evokes wonder, curiosity, understanding, caring and action. 
 
Department Description: 
 
The Freshwater Gallery staff support the New England Aquarium’s mission to protect the blue planet by creating and maintaining exhibits that encourage the public to care about freshwater ecosystems and to become involved in conservation.