Hours of Admission

Monday - Sunday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Get Tickets

Animal Care Internships

Animal Care Internships

The Florida Aquarium Animal Care internships offer a well-rounded, educational experience working in a variety of areas. Internship opportunities may include assisting biologists with daily husbandry duties, daily food preparation and feeding, animal training and guest interactions. Available opportunities may include:

Position Summary
The Florida Aquarium’s Fish and Invertebrates/Animal Care internships provide a comprehensive and educational experience, specializing in fish and invertebrate habitats. Interns will receive training in the basics of managing systems and habitats in their assigned gallery, covering areas such as daily husbandry, water quality, life support, and operant conditioning. Those with special interest in aquarium science and chemistry are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

  • Preparing and feeding diets for gallery assigned
  • Habitat cleanliness and maintenance
  • Operant conditioning of teleost and elasmobranch species
  • Recognize life support and water quality parameters and issues as they arise

Qualifications:

  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
  • Ability to be standing/walking for 3+ hours at a time
  • Background in basic biology and chemistry, completed introductory level college courses in biology and chemistry preferred
  • Detail oriented, ability to work independently

Time Commitment

  • 16 – 24 hours per week
  • Ability to commit at least 3 days a week, 2 of which must be during the work week Monday-Friday, half days are allowed

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Shorelines/Animal Care internship offers a comprehensive and educational experience within our Shorelines gallery. Interns will acquire fundamental skills in managing systems and habitats within this gallery, showcasing fish and invertebrates from coastal regions around the world.

Responsibilities

  • Assist biologists with habitat maintenance, feedings including preparations of diets.
  • Maintain habitat cleanliness and conduct regular maintenance.
  • Assist in enhancing the guest experience.

Qualifications

  • Basic knowledge of aquarium husbandry, marine vertebrate and invertebrate biology
  • Must be college sophomore or higher up to 6 months’ post-graduate
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs.
  • Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time
  • Ability to work in tight spaces, climb ladders, and walk/stand for extended periods of time
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

Time Commitment

  • 16 – 24 hours per week
  • Flexibility in working weekends and holidays

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Wetlands/Animal Care internships provide a comprehensive and educational experience, specializing in Florida’s freshwater and brackish habitats. Interns will learn the basics of managing systems and habitats in this gallery, which includes a free-flighted aviary, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.

Responsibilities

  • Assist biologists with habitat maintenance, feedings and bird pans.
  • Prepare and feed diets.
  • Maintain habitat cleanliness and conduct regular maintenance.
  • Assist in animal encounters and handling.

Qualifications

  • Basic knowledge of aquarium husbandry, marine vertebrate and invertebrate biology
  • Must be college sophomore or higher up to 6 months’ post-graduate
  • Flexibility in working weekends and holidays
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs.
  • Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time
  • Ability to work in tight spaces, climb ladders, and walk/stand for extended periods of time
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

Time Commitment

  • 16 – 24 hours per week
  • Flexibility in working weekends and holidays

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Commissary Technician internship offers a comprehensive and educational experience. As a Commissary intern, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Aquarium’s living collection by ensuring accurate and efficient preparation of diets. This position requires a commitment to upholding best practices for safe and effective operational procedures. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

  • Support daily commissary operations, including diet preparation (frozen, fresh, and prepared) and breakout of produce, frozen (fish/meat) products and other dietary items as needed.
  • Work in climate-controlled areas, including coolers (38°F to 40°F) and freezers (-20°F to 0°F).
  • Utilize motor coordination and manual dexterity to safely handle sharp knives during food preparation.
  • Help maintain the commissary and storage areas in a safe and sanitary manner, adhering to USDA and AZA standards.
  • Follow and suggest improvements if necessary to the Commissary Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.).
  • Deliver extraordinary customer service to all aquarium guests and internal customers.
  • Develop and maintain exemplary communication with team members.
  • Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

  • Must be college sophomore or higher up to 6 months’ post-graduate with a GPA of 2.5
  • Must have a strong work ethic, and interest in animal food handling and preparation in a zoo or aquarium setting preferred
  • Ability to operate and maintain tools and equipment necessary for the preparation of diets: blenders, scales, mixers, hand trucks, pallet jacks, knives
  • Flexibility in working evenings, weekend, and holidays

Typical Physical Requirements

  • Standing: Up to 8 hours per day
  • Walking: Up to 4 hours per day
  • Sitting: Occasionally (up to 2 hours per day)
  • Crawling: Occasionally
  • Climbing heights (12’): Frequently
  • Reaching above shoulders: Frequently
  • Crouching/Kneeling: Frequently
  • Balancing: Frequently
  • Pushing/Pulling: Frequently
  • Lifting (in excess of 70 lbs.): Occasionally
  • Carrying (in excess of 70 lbs.): Occasionally
  • Using hands for repetitive movements: Frequently

Time Commitment

  • Minimum 21 hours per week
  • Preferable schedule:
    • 7-4 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays
    • 7-12 on Fridays or Saturdays

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary
The Florida Aquarium Animal Ambassador Animal Care internship offer a comprehensive and educational experience focused on working with and caring for the Aquarium’s ambassador animals. The team specializes in the care and health of African penguins, Ring-tailed lemurs, North American river otters, various birds of prey and small reptiles. Interns will have a concentration area with the opportunity to learn about other Ambassador areas. This team engages with guests, delivering various public talks throughout the day via microphone. Additionally, the Animal Ambassador team employs various animal training techniques to enhance the health care routine for these animals.

Responsibilities

  • Assist biologists with daily duties and projects, with a focus on routine cleaning tasks.
  • Maintain habitats and back areas at AZA standards of cleanliness.
  • Prepare daily diets for various species.
  • Contribute to goal-based animal enrichment programs.
  • Engage with guests along the exhibit path, providing information about our animals.
  • Deliver microphone presentations emphasizing the conservation of ambassador animals.

Qualifications

  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
  • Ability to stand/walk for 3+ hours at a time
  • Self-motivated
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently

Time Commitment

  • 24 hours per week
  • Schedule will be three 8 hour days per week.
  • Days of the week will be determined based on scheduling needs.

We are not currently accepting applications.

Position Summary

The Florida Aquarium’s Quarantine/Animal Care internships provide a comprehensive and educational experience, specializing in our dedicated space for animals either going through quarantine and/or receiving medical care. Interns will learn the basics of managing systems and habitats in this area, which includes health monitoring, water quality management, feeding and nutrition, record keeping and quarantine protocols.

Responsibilities

  • Feed animals and record food consumption.
  • Perform water changes and siphon tanks.
  • Clean enclosures and equipment.
  • Conduct water testing.
  • Adhere to biosecurity protocols.

Qualifications

  • Basic knowledge of aquarium husbandry, marine vertebrate and invertebrate biology
  • Must be college sophomore or higher up to 6 months’ post-graduate
  • Flexibility in working weekends and holidays
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs.
  • Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time
  • Ability to work in tight spaces, climb ladders, and walk/stand for extended periods of time
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

Time Commitment

  • 16 – 24 hours per week.
  • Flexibility in working weekends and holidays.

We are not currently accepting applications.

red and white, blue, and yellow discus fish swimming red and white, blue, and yellow discus fish swimming

Questions about Internships?

Send us a message.

Contact Us