Adult Volunteer

This department oversees and maintains the water environment of all animals at CMA. It all starts with having an environment in which our resident and rehab animals can flourish! This department is also responsible for aquarist duties.

Responsibilities Include:

• Water chemistry of all animals at CMA
• Logging of Data
• Data entry
• Assist with some fish feedings
• Filter pressure/heater/chiller data recording * Must be able walk throughout the facility for sample collection and climb ladders for equipment inspection.

The Water Quality volunteer position requires a minimum 4 month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 4 hours long, AM and PM volunteer shifts are available in this department 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

Maintaining water quality and appearance of our pools is the top priority for the CMA Dive Team.  Many pools are in direct sunlight which increases algae growth.  Therefore, we need to enlist committed volunteer SCUBA divers to assist with our pool cleaning challenge. Air tanks and some basic equipment are provided.  Applicants to become a CMA Volunteer Diver must be certified as an Open Water Diver from an internationally recognized agency (PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc) and hold a current CPR/AED certification.  Dive volunteer applicants will be asked to provide a copy of their SCUBA certification card and their CPR/AED certification.

The Dive volunteer position allows a flexible schedule with AM and PM shifts available for sign up and a minimum commitment of 2 dives per month.

Education volunteers work two Sea Life Safari boat tours during their shift. Volunteers act as boat mates and participate in other educational activities. Duties include assisting guests from the queue line to the boat, helping passengers to embark and disembark the boat, pulling a trawl net, assisting with marine life data collection, helping with the “show and tell” of marine organisms by passing around plastic containers while onboard. You must be able to lift a bucket with water, and have reasonable balance on a moving boat. In addition to working on our sea life safari boats, volunteers in Education assist the Education Department with other educational activities, such as off-site visits and tabling events.

The Education volunteer position requires a minimum 4 month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 4 hours long, AM and PM volunteer shifts are available in this department 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

Join our Environmental Operations Team and be part of our Facilities Maintenance Department! Environmental Operations oversees the custodial needs of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  As an E/O Volunteer, you will be making a huge difference for our guests and the animals by performing routine maintenance around the aquarium.

Volunteer Responsibilities Include:

• Maintain a clean appearance to glass/acrylic fixtures and aquariums.
• Keeping the floors clear of debris and water.
• Taking out trash when needed.
• Sanitize touchpoints.
• Stocking guest areas.
• Responding to requests from any department.
• Specialized tasks as needed.
• Inventory management.
• Ability to positively communicate with guests, staff and other volunteers.

Yes, we won’t lie — it can be a dirty job. But, believe it or not, it is very rewarding and pretty fun!

The E/O volunteer position is a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts are 5 hours long, with the choice of a morning or afternoon and are available 7 days a week.

Guest Experience volunteers are ambassadors to CMA, providing first impressions and enhancing the visitor experience! Volunteers in the Guest Experience department should possess a positive, outgoing personality, enjoy interacting with people, and be excited about the Aquarium’s mission.

Guest Experience volunteers engage CMA guests and attend to their needs. Tasks include: greeting guests in the ticketing line, facilitating their entry into CMA, manning the glitter tattoo station, and roaming throughout the building engaging guests about our work and mission. Volunteers must be comfortable with standing and walking on cement, going up and down stairs, and moving quickly from one task to another.

The Guest Experience volunteer position requires a minimum 4-month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 4 hours long, AM and PM volunteer shifts are available in this department 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

In the Mammals Division, some of your responsibilities as a volunteer may include the following:

• Learning and assisting in food preparation – a large majority of the day is spent sorting and inspecting fish, processing fish, and washing dishes.
• Conducting behavioral observations, maintaining behavioral logs – records of feeding and observation sessions are maintained daily.
• Participating in the daily maintenance of animal exhibits – more cleaning!
• Narrating presentations for visitors of the aquarium
• Interacting with encounter participants and guests of the aquarium

The Marine Mammal volunteer program is tailored to meet your personal abilities, experience level, and educational background. Marine Mammal volunteers should have no expectation of animal contact / handling.

The Marine Mammal volunteer position requires a minimum 4 month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 5 hours, several shift times are available each day and volunteers are needed 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

The CMA Rescue Team has volunteer positions available in both Stranding Administration and Stranding Rescue Response.

Stranding Administrative Volunteer:
Support the mission of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s and the work of the Rescue Department through attending, teaching, and developing department trainings as assigned, representing the aquarium at outreach events, and promoting stewardship of the marine environment. Administrative volunteers will assist with day-to-day department functions including equipment management, monitoring the emergency Rescue Response Hotline, responding to distressed and injured marine life, and data entry.

Rescue Response Volunteer:

• Obtain knowledge of rescue policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and day-to-day functions.
• Provide exceptional guest and public interaction for all stranding-related responses.
• Learn and perform behavioral observations on resident animals in conjuncture with Marine Mammal Department.
• Learn diet preparation and habitat maintenance of resident animals in conjuncture with Marine Mammal Department.
• Assist with maintenance of equipment through inspection and inventory.
• Assist with public outreach to promote conservation within the community.
• Assist the Rescue Team in response to stranding events when contacted.
• Assist other Animal Care departments as needed and requested by other departments.
• Learn and be able to present the Stranding Demonstration.
• Assist with habitat maintenance.

*For Rescue Response, a swim test is required within 90 days.

Our Rescue Team volunteers are on a flexible schedule with 4 hour minimum monthly commitment to remain active members of the Rescue Team.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Comfortable around water and working in extreme weather conditions (hot, humid, cold, rain). Ability to lift at least 60 lbs, kneel, bend, stand for periods in excess of one hour, walk, and reach with reasonable accommodations. Pass bi-annual stranding swim test to participate in rehabilitation requiring shallow or deep-water interaction.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: Support marine mammal rehabilitation.

Members of the Reserve Team will support the Rescue Team’s active volunteer base. The function of the Reserve Team will be to perform a secondary role in filling shifts and performing other duties in rehabilitation. The Reserve Team is on stand-by, will not require a monthly hour commitment outside of rehabilitation, and will not be called for stranding responses.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Follow all staff instructions and perform other duties as needed.
• Assist the Stranding Team in response to rehabilitation events when contacted.
• Perform behavioral observations on rehabilitating marine mammals.
• Perform duties related to diet preparation and habitat maintenance of rehabilitating animals.
• Assist with maintenance of equipment through sanitation, inspections, and inventories.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Pass bi-annual shallow or deep swim test.
• Commit to at least one shift per week. Inability to fulfill obligations should be reported to staff immediately.
• Knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and proven proficiency in completing job functions as outlined in SOPs.
• Knowledge and experience on animal diet preparation and general habitat maintenance.
• Maintain annual Rehabilitation certification through in-person (first time) or online (renewal) training.
• Attend department rehabilitation training sessions related to diet preparation, sanitation, daily checklist, equipment use and inspections.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in written form
• Complete any training established by the HR department.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required.

There are front and back of house volunteer positions in the retail department.

Front of House Location – CMA Retail Store: Assist guests, clean and replenish, recover merchandise.
Suggested Skills: Comfortable with the public and enjoy guest interaction

Back of House Location – Retail Warehouse: Preparing and shipping online orders, counting, pricing, labeling, sorting, and organizing merchandise.
Suggested Skills: Task oriented attention to details, good at taking direction and following instructions.

In the Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biology Department, some of your responsibilities as a volunteer may include the following:

• Follow all Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) requirements for all aspects of resident sea turtle care, demonstrate knowledge of permitting and reporting for FWC.
• Assist in the care of resident sea turtles and a variety of aquatic species, including: food preparation, feeding, exhibit maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing working areas, maintaining animal records and performing routine medical care.
• Assist with resident enrichment, target behavior, and medical management behavior.
• Ability to perform guest focused presentations to the public regarding our resident animal collection.
• Demonstrate a guest focused attitude with the ability to educate the public about the impact of human interaction to include, but not limited to, lighting, beach debris, habitat destruction, and marine pollution with regard to sea turtles.

The Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biology volunteer program is tailored to meet your personal abilities, experience level, and educational background. Sea Turtle volunteers should have no expectation of animal contact/handling, however, there may be opportunities to interact with resident sea turtles and other aquatic species under the direct supervision of staff.

The Sea Turtle and Aquatic Biology volunteer position requires a minimum four-month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 4 hours, AM and PM shift times are available each day and volunteers are needed 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

In the Sea Turtle Rehab Department, we are responsible for the health/safety of our animals and strive to provide the best care possible so they have the best chance of release. As a new volunteer some of your responsibilities may include the following:

• Develop an understanding of sea turtle natural history and anatomy.
• Interact with guests to educate them about the natural and human interaction occurrences that bring patients into the hospital and the process of rehabilitation.
• Assist in the rehabilitation of sea turtles (and possibly other animals in rehab) including food preparation, habitat maintenance, animal feeding & handling, triage, routine medical care, and release.
• Participate in ongoing projects that contribute to the conservation of sea turtles, including strandings and necropsies.

The Sea Turtle Rehab volunteer program is tailored to meet your experience level and educational background. This position requires a minimum 4-month commitment to a weekly reoccurring shift, same day and time each week. Shifts in this department are 4 hours, several shift times are available each day and volunteers are needed 7 days a week; new volunteers are assigned their weekly shift based on their availability and our current shift openings.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers a unique experience for our guests while providing music, food and a fun atmosphere with an outstanding marine facility as an overlay. HERE’S THE BEST PART – All proceeds from events stay with us here at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to assist in our mission to rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

Our Special Events volunteers are on a flexible schedule with a minimum commitment of 1 event per month to remain active volunteers.