Junior Volunteer

Volunteer SCUBA divers assist with our pool cleaning challenge. Air tanks are provided and some equipment is available. Any person interested in applying must provide a copy of their Scuba Certification Card from a recognized agency as NAUI, PADI, PDIC, or SSI, First Aid/CPR/AED certification and a copy of their 10 most recent dives from their log book.

Junior divers must commit to 1 dive per week.

Junior Volunteers in the Education Department will have the opportunity to assist with Sea Life Safari boat tours. During their volunteer shifts, Junior Volunteers will work alongside Education staff to support one Sea Life Safari tour, gaining hands-on experience in marine science education and guest engagement. Junior Volunteers should be comfortable interacting with guests of all ages in an educational setting and following directions in a dynamic, outdoor environment.

Junior Volunteers on Sea Life Safari act as boat assistants and help with onboard educational activities. Duties include assisting with pulling a trawl net, supporting basic marine life observations and data collection, and helping with the “show and tell” portion of the tour by passing around containers with marine organisms. Junior Volunteers must be able to lift equipment (such as a 5-gallon bucket with water), maintain reasonable balance on a moving boat, and follow all safety guidelines at all times.

Education Junior Volunteers must commit to at least 1 weekly reoccurring 2.5-hour shift.

Junior Summer Camp Volunteers have the opportunity to be part of our elementary-aged summer camp programs while gaining hands-on experience in marine science education, leadership, and guest engagement. Junior Summer Camp Volunteers work alongside our Summer Camp staff to help create a fun, safe, and engaging experience for campers each day. As a Junior Summer Camp Volunteer, participants will support our Educational Camp Instructors by helping supervise campers, assisting during classroom activities, and encouraging positive participation throughout the day. Junior Camp Volunteers will also join field experiences such as snorkeling excursions—helping campers observe and identify marine life—and kayaking trips, where they will assist campers with paddling and following safety instructions.

The Junior Volunteer Summer Camp season will begin the week of June 1st and continue through the final week of camp, which is the week of August 3rd. All Junior Camp Volunteers must complete a fingerprinting background check, which will be arranged through Clearwater Marine Aquarium before volunteering. This role is active and takes place in dynamic indoor and outdoor environments. Volunteers should be comfortable maintaining balance on moving boats, getting in and out of kayaks independently, paddling, following directions, and adhering to all safety guidelines at all times.

Junior Volunteers commit to at least one recurring weekly 3.75-hour shift during the summer. Available shifts are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–11:45 AM or 12:30 PM–4:15 PM. 

The season runs from June 1, 2026 to August 7, 2026.

The volunteer welcome visit for this position will be held on: May 20 from 4 to 6. Please apply online to our volunteer application and you will be invited to a welcome visit.

Junior Volunteers in the Guest Experience departments are ambassadors to CMA, providing first impressions and enhancing the visitor experience! Volunteers in this department should be very social and comfortable talking to numerous people daily. Previous public speaking experience is not required, but you are required to be willing to improve your public speaking skills!

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.

Guest experience volunteers commit to at least 1 weekly reoccurring 4 hour shift.