Student 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 who 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 student 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:

• JUNIOR 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. Junior dive team members must be 16 and be accompanied by the dive safety officer.

  
  
• HORTICULTURE
  
  

  Job Function: 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.
  
  

• TOUCH TANK INTERPRETERS
  
  

  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.

   

  Qualifications: Have a willingness to learn natural history of touch tank animals and common beachcombing finds. Need good communication skills with a variety of ages, moderate assertiveness, and have a tolerance for crowds and noise.

  
  
• SPECIAL EVENTS
  
  

  Job Function: Would you like to volunteer, but not every week? Become a special events volunteer. Parades, Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Trick or Treat Under the Sea are some of the many events at the Aquarium.

   

  Qualifications: Have a flexible schedule and willingness to participate in Aquarium events and parades.

Individuals wishing to volunteer at the Aquarium must be at least 14 years of age. Student volunteer ages 14 and 15 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Student Volunteers must have the ability 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 student volunteer application process consists of the submission of a written application, a personal interview, and an orientation.  For the Jr. Diver Program, a separate dive volunteer application, SCUBA certification and a dive physical are required.  Most training is done on-the-job, 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 student volunteer team!

Susan Ahlfeld

Volunteer Coordinator