Seasonal- 550 hours- $17.00 per hour

Seasonal Aquarist Trainees (SATs) at Aquarium of the Pacific are meant to provide on the job training and experience to aid recent graduates (or those with equivalent experience) in securing an entry level animal care roles in aquarium industry. SATs will complete up to 500 hours in an 18–26-week period starting June 2026. SATs will be trained in daily husbandry skills needed to care for a diverse collection of marine fishes and invertebrates including food prep, exhibit maintenance, and more. Each SAT will be matched with a direct mentor for coaching, feedback, and to support the successful completion of the seasonal role. During their time, SATs will receive one-on-one training and feedback from other members of the fish and invertebrate animal care team. SATs will be introduced to aquarium science concepts including some of the following: conservation programs, aquatic sustainability, animal welfare monitoring, behavioral training, introduction to filtration design/plumbing, fish and invertebrate quarantine, and animal enrichment.

Aquarium of the Pacific is accepting three SATs to work in the following areas:

• Tropical Waters Gallery featuring large elasmobranch and coral husbandry.
• Temperate Waters Gallery featuring local and Northern Pacific species and conservation programs.
• Aquatic Sustainability/Quarantine Gallery featuring aquaculture and quarantine husbandry.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Daily food preparation and feeding
• Exhibit and behind-the-scenes cleaning
• Record keeping
• Life support system maintenance and cleaning
• Animal observation, training participation, enrichment, and welfare monitoring
• Participate in veterinary procedures, annual equipment maintenance, annual animal physicals, quarantine procedures, animal propagation/cultivation, and animal capture and transfer techniques.

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications described here are representative of those that an individual must possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Interest in pursuing an animal care role in marine or aquarium science fields.
• Broad knowledge of biological principles, especially those relating to marine habitats.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to staff and visitors alike.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Some previous experience in aquarium keeping.
• Recently graduated from a university, community college program, or equivalent experience.
• Those with training in similar fields, aquarium volunteers, and students willing and able to balance this position and their coursework are welcome to apply.
• Able to complete the hours within the following scheduling requirements:

• Up to 500 hours
• 20-28 hours per week
• 18-26 weeks (June - November 2026)
• At least 3 days a week

• Must attend education sessions when applicable (A common weekday with fellow SATs will be established for these sessions).
• SATs will be asked to meet weekly with Aquarist mentor.
• Must complete our general orientation session, Aquarium 101.
• Open water dive certification is NOT required for this position, if candidates are SCUBA certified, the seasonal role may provide exhibit diving experience following a physical and check-out dive.
• Desire to fulfill our institutional mission of instilling a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time
• Ability to balance bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist
• Ability to lift and carry up to 0-50lbs
• Ability to pull and push up to 0-100lbs
• Full functional range of motion in all major body joints from reaching, twisting, bending, simple and power gripping, fine and gross motor skills
• If intern is SCUBA certified:
• Ability to swim (if applicable)
• Ability to pass dive physical exam (if applicable) and drug test.
• Ability to dive in aquarium habitats (if applicable).
• Ability to pass required associated SCUBA certifications (if applicable).

MENTAL DEMANDS

The mental and emotional demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with high levels of responsibility, empathy, frustration and patience when it comes to the care of animals with basic needs.
• Resilience and ability to prioritize sometimes competing tasks and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues and guests, even when differing perspectives present potential for conflict.
• Strong problem-solving skills to analyze issues and find effective solutions and alternatives.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle changes in schedules or responsibilities.
• Critical thinking and decision-making abilities to handle complex situations.
• Empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and respond to the needs of colleagues or customers.
• Ability to maintain composure and handle difficult situations with professionalism.
• Ability to cope with occasional illness, injury, or loss of animals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to respond to unpredictable and potentially dangerous marine mammals, birds and program animals.
• Exposure to injury from animals
• Food preparation with fish and shellfish
• Exposure to various temperature, humidity or wetness
• Wet, dirty, uneven surfaces and walkways
• Elevated platforms
• Use of special auditory, visual, and personal protective equipment
• Exposed to working with bio-hazards
• Use of hand tools, machinery and company vehicles.
• Aquarium habitats and open ocean environments

INTERESTED OR QUALIFIED?

If you meet the requirements of this position, click on the link below to “APPLY NOW.” You will be directed to our web application process, the successful completion of which is required by all applicants. There are THREE simple steps to this process, which is administered by Hire Select: Application Period March 9 through April 6.

1. You will complete a brief web application;
2. You will attach or build your resume;
3. You will complete the PCI aptitude assessment.

Upon completion of all THREE steps, your submission will be forwarded to our hiring team for consideration. If you are among the most qualified applicants, we will contact you within two to three weeks. If you do not hear from us within that time, feel free to reapply in the future as other opportunities arise. Thank you so much for your interest in the Aquarium of the Pacific!

Aquarium of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff.