Check back regularly for available opportunities! New positions open throughout the year to support our work in animal care, education programs, facility maintenance, dive operations, Stranding Response, retail, guest experience, and more!
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Animal Ambassador Husbandry Assistant
Help staff care for the Aquarium’s beloved animal ambassadors: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals. In addition to preparing meals and feeding the animals, volunteers assist with maintaining animal care areas and cleaning animal enclosures.
Must be able to bend, reach, and lift up to 25 pounds, walk, or drive between the Aquarium’s North and South Buildings. Individuals who love animals and have an interest in biology and the marine environment are ideal.
A minimum of one four-hour weekly shift for one year is required. Shifts are four hours, Sunday-Saturday, starting at 8:0am. After training, volunteers may change their start time to 7:30am. We are currently recruiting volunteers for Monday.
Guest Engagement Docent
Do you love learning and enjoy connecting with a diverse group of people? This can be the perfect position for you! As a guest engagement docent, you will share information about the aquarium’s exhibits and Virginia’s marine environment with visitors. Applicants with an interest in marine biology are ideal. This is also an excellent opportunity for retired educators or individuals with a background in education.
Must have good communication skills, be comfortable with public speaking, interacting with children, and be able to stand for an extended period. Candidates should also be comfortable with large crowds and varying noise levels.
Following training, a minimum commitment of one four-and-a-half-hour shift per week for one year is required.
New guest engagement docents must attend all seven sessions of onsite training at the Virginia Aquarium.
Class Name | Class Date | Location |
Session 1: | Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 2: Upland and Coastal River Rooms, Restless Planet, Sharks, Sea Turtles, & Cold Water Gallery | Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 3: | Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 4: | Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | South Building Education Hall |
On-Site Program Education Assistant
The Aquarium offers engaging, interactive educational programs for students from preschool to college. The On-site Education Program Assistant assists with teaching students through hands-on learning activities, including experiments, live animal demonstrations, problem-solving exercises, and observational exercises.
Candidates must be at least 21 years old, have experience teaching students, demonstrate strong customer service skills, and be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Additionally, volunteers should be able to stand for extended periods and respond to basic inquiries about the Aquarium. New volunteers are required to attend training on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.
This position offers flexible scheduling. Programs take place at the Virginia Aquarium during the academic year, from September through June, Monday through Friday, between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Shift assignments are based on programs scheduled by schools. Volunteer schedules are coordinated approximately one month in advance of each program. This position requires a minimum commitment of one academic school year.
Scout Program Assistant
This volunteer position will bring out the young scout in you. Volunteers assist staff with Scout Day programs, overnight events, and service projects. This includes supporting activity stations during programs and overnight stays, setting up and dismantling stations, communicating program information to Scouts and leaders, and potentially assisting with animal programs and touch pools, contingent upon prior training and approval.
Candidates must be at least 18 years old; however, volunteers as young as 15 with prior Scout experience will be considered. Applicants should be able to bend and lift to 25 pounds, stand for extended periods, be comfortable with public speaking, and interacting with children and teenagers. Experience in developing and leading various crafts and recreational activities is preferred.
This role offers flexible scheduling, with a minimum of two Scout activities per quarter.
Special Events Docent
Bring your enthusiasm and welcoming demeanor while facilitating learning and engagement at Virginia Aquarium special events. As a special events docent, you will share information about the Aquarium’s exhibits and Virginia’s marine environment with guests attending special events, and assist with event preparation, setup, and cleanup. Applicants with a genuine interest in marine biology, a passion for learning, and a desire to share their knowledge with others are ideal.
Must be friendly, have good communication skills, be comfortable with public speaking, interacting with children, and be able to stand for an extended period. Candidates should also be comfortable with large crowds and varying noise levels.
Following training, a minimum commitment of two shifts a month for one year is required: a special events prep or cleanup shift and one special event. There will be morning, afternoon, and evening options.
New special events docents must attend all seven sessions of onsite training at the Virginia Aquarium.
Class Name | Class Date | Location |
Session 1: | Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 2: Upland and Coastal River Rooms, Restless Planet, Sharks, Sea Turtles, & Cold Water Gallery | Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 3: | Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | North Building Classroom |
Session 4: | Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 5:30pm-7:30pm | South Building Education Hall |
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Have Questions?
Contact our Volunteer Engagement Office at (757) 385-0274 or via email.