Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities!

Volunteers fill vital roles throughout the Aquarium! They assist the staff in the many different operations of the facility and are an integral part of the Aquarium’s success as a popular tourist attraction on the Outer Banks. The more than 70 volunteers serve in a variety of positions to entertain and educate the 350,000 visitors and school children that visit annually. Whatever your interests or skills, there is an opportunity for you to get involved as an Aquarium volunteer!

Some of the benefits of volunteering include free admission to the Aquarium, a t-shirt and volunteer pin, a monthly newsletter, discounts in the Gift Shop and on fee programs, training in coastal aquatic life, enhanced skills in diving or other positions, making new friends, recognition and appreciation from the staff, the visitors, and the aquatic animals that are served.

The volunteers are regularly involved in almost every aspect of the Aquarium’s operations. The responsibilities are significant and the opportunities to learn are endless. Examples of volunteering opportunities are:

• SCUBA DIVING
  

  
  Job Function: Under the direction of the dive safety officer and husbandry curator, assists with tank cleaning in the Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit or hookah dives to clean smaller tanks. May assist with public education during dive shows. Equipment is provided.
  
  Qualifications: National dive certification and a dive physical are required. Divers must be 18. Junior dive team members must be 16 and be accompanied by the dive safety officer.
  

• EDUCATION
  
  Touch Tank Interpreter
  Job Function: Provides interpretive information about the touch tank and ray tank animals and demonstrates proper handling. Provides answers to commonly asked beach combing questions. Gives brief informal presentations.
  
  Aquarium Docent
  Job Function:  Work in different Aquarium galleries, offering information about the animals on exhibits in those areas.  Give brief informal presentations in Freshwater, Saltwater, Graveyard of the Atlantic, and Aquarium Confidential exhibits.
  
  Craft Volunteer
  Job Function:  Assists Education staff preparing for craft activities.  Staffs craft tables during special events such as theme weeks and Trick or Treat Under the Sea.
  
  Discovery Cart Volunteer
  Job Function:  Interactive informal education opportunity.  Discovery cart volunteers use biofacts and animal information to help to educate the visitors more in depth about specific exhibit animals.
  
  Qualifications for education volunteer opportunities: Have a willingness to learn natural history of North Carolina aquatic plants and animals.  Volunteers in education should have good communication skills in working with a variety of ages, moderate assertiveness, and have a tolerance for large crowds.

• HORTICULTURE

JOB FUNCTTION: Assists horticulturist with various indoor and outdoor activities including watering of exhibit plants, re-potting, landscape maintenance, plant propagation and setting new plants. Assists with plant sales and bird feeders.

 

QUALIFICATIONS: Have an interest in native plants and be willing to learn about plants and gardening. Enjoy spending time outdoors.

Volunteers are requested to commit to a 2-4 hour shift per week for a period of one year. Most of the assignments have a standard schedule, but some variation in the hours can be accommodated.

The volunteer application process consists of the submission of a written application, a personal interview, reference checks and an orientation/placement meeting. For some positions, certification is required. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Most training is conducted while serving as a volunteer although some formal training sessions are held each year.

Volunteer Application: .doc.pdf

To learn more about the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, call me at

252-473-3494 X254 or email me at susan.ahlfeld@ncmail.net.

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. We truly look forward to having you on our team!

Susan Ahlfeld

Volunteer Coordinator