Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internships

The Specialized Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) Husbandry Internship offers hands-on experience at The Florida Aquarium’s Apollo Beach Campus. Interns support animal care professionals in sea turtle rehabilitation, gaining skills in husbandry, commissary work, water quality testing, and life support system maintenance. This internship also includes technical training and professional development.

The STRC Husbandry Internship is a specialized internship that does not follow traditional academic terms. Applications open July 1 for the following sessions:

Fall/Winter 2025-2026: Late October – Mid February
Spring 2026: February – May
Summer 2026: May – August

Please see the full internship description below.

Position Summary

The Specialized Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC) Husbandry Internship offers hands-on experience at The Florida Aquarium’s Apollo Beach Campus. Interns support animal care professionals in sea turtle rehabilitation, gaining skills in husbandry, commissary work, water quality testing, and life support system maintenance. This internship also includes technical training and professional development.

Learning Objectives:

1. Proficiency in Sea Turtle Husbandry & Applied Animal Care
   Interns will develop competency in daily sea turtle husbandry practices, including diet preparation, feeding techniques, water quality testing, habitat cleaning, and support of life support systems, applying best practices in animal welfare and biosecurity under staff supervision.
2. Understand the role of government agencies and policies in marine turtle conservation
   Interns will learn about the federal, state, and local regulations that protect marine turtles, as well as the roles of agencies such as FWC, NOAA, and USFWS in permitting, rehabilitation, and conservation efforts.
3. Communication, Teamwork & Professional Conduct in a Rehabilitation Setting
   Interns will enhance professional skills by working collaboratively with staff, communicating effectively with guests through tours and presentations, and demonstrating reliability, initiative, and ethical conduct in a professional rehabilitation environment.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

All interns will be trained through a phased program and will carry out their responsibilities under the direct or indirect supervision of staff unless otherwise instructed. Primary duties include:

• Perform daily husbandry duties, including but not limited to:
  • • Diet preparation & animal feeding
    • Water quality testing
    • Cleaning and maintaining turtle holding systems
    • Supporting life support system operations
    • Assisting with general facility upkeep
• Interns may have the opportunity to assist with strandings, recoveries, intakes, necropsies, and/or releases; however, these experiences are not guaranteed and should not be expected.
• Assist with behavioral observations, as needed.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Interact with guests through tours, presentations, and answering questions.
• Performing other tasks as assigned.

Time Commitment

Candidates must be flexible with scheduling and available for shifts between 7:30am and 4:30pm, committing to at least 30 hours per week. On-call availability until 8:00pm is required on scheduled workdays for strandings and intakes. Interns must be able to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and up to 40 hours per week as needed, with some days exceeding eight hours. Full-term commitment is required, with no planned vacations except for personal or family emergencies.

Qualifications

• College student or recent graduate in Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, or related field preferred.
• Must be able to follow state and federal laws and regulations including AZA, OSHA, USFWS and FWC.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are essential functions to fulfill the requirements of this intern position.
• All information shared with you, including any cases you are involved in or exposed to, must remain confidential.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to the Apollo Beach campus.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions.
• Has the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain a positive attitude, even when plans shift unexpectedly.
• Self-motivated with a desire to learn.
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Physical Requirements

• Standing/walking during the entire shift.
• Standing/walking on uneven and wet surfaces.
• Climbing stairs and ladders.
• Carrying/lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Frequently squatting, kneeling, and scrubbing.
• Comfortable working in outdoor conditions (heat, humidity, direct sunlight, cold, bugs)

Additional Considerations

• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• Exposure to shellfish.
• Sea turtle handling and specific internship responsibilities are not guaranteed and may vary based on patient needs and intern performance.
• This internship is focused on husbandry and animal care, not veterinary or medical training.
• This position is based at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at the Apollo Beach campus and is not located at the downtown Tampa campus.

Please Note: This internship is unpaid and complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Interns must make their own accommodation and transportation arrangements.

Apply Here