Position Description: Save the Bay Hamilton Aquarium Volunteer Educator
Job Description
At Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium (Newport, RI) our volunteer educators welcome visitors, educate them about the ecology of Narragansett Bay, and help them interact with our live exhibits.
Role & Responsibilities
- Be positive and welcoming to visitors
- Engage with visitors at the Rocky Intertidal, Sandy Shores, and Deeper Waters touch tanks
- Actively learn about the aquarium critters and Save The Bay so that you can answer questions from the public
- Promote safety and inform visitors of the safest way to handle aquarium animals
- Reliable and timely attendance for shifts
Commitment: 1 half-day shift per week for a period of 4 months; you are more than welcome to commit to a full-day shift or multiple shifts per week.
During the summer volunteer cycle, high school and college students, or others tied to the academic schedule, may volunteer for the duration of their summer break (approx. mid-June through August). The requirement for volunteers on this schedule is 2 half-day shifts/week or 1 full-day shift/week.
- AM shifts are 9:30am - 1pm
- PM shifts are 12:45 - 4:30pm
- FULL DAY shifts are 9:30am - 4:30pm and include a lunch break
Application and training process
- Interested volunteers will complete an online application.
- Qualified applicants will be offered a brief interview via Zoom and will be able to ask any questions about the program.
- Accepted applicants will be sent training materials to read, will attend an in person orientation, and commit to a schedule.
- The first two shifts are training shifts, where volunteers will work closely with a trained educator to develop knowledge and skills at each exhibit.
- NOTE: We recommend visiting the aquarium before applying to be a volunteer!
Important Note: Position is located in Newport, RI and is accessibly by RIPTA (public transportation,45 minutes) or car (29 minutes)
If you have a work study award and would like to earn your award through this position, contact the Feinstein Center at engage@rwu.edu or call 401-254-3765.
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.