What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intern - Aquatic Sustainability - Fall 2026 position at Georgia Aquarium?
Position Title: Aquatic Sustainability Intern – Fall 2026
Department: Aquatic Sustainability - 3250
Division: Zoological Operations
Classification: Non-Exempt
Direct Report: Intern Supervisor, Aquatic Sustainability
Position Summary:
This program offers interns hands-on experience in one of Georgia Aquarium’s most diverse areas – Aquatic Sustainability. Our Aquatic Sustainability Department works with a wide variety of fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and their associated life support systems. Our goal is to provide interns the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for an entry level position in aquatic husbandry. Upon completion, candidates should possess a strong understanding of the following: quarantine purpose and procedures, common disease-causing agents and related medical treatments, water quality parameters, filtration systems, nitrogen cycle, system components and design, general fish and invertebrate anatomy, propagation and larval rearing, and standard practices and procedures in aquatic husbandry. Although we do work with veterinarians, this is not a veterinarian internship, nor do we work with any birds, cetaceans, or pinnipeds.
Georgia Aquarium’s Quarantine facility is an offsite warehouse located west of the Georgia Aquarium. Interns will need to provide own reliable transportation for this internship.
Responsibilities:
Interns will:
- Learn animal care standards and system operation for a variety of aquatic species through mentorship and training with approved staff.
- Perform tasks including but not limited to diet preparation, water sampling, exhibit/area maintenance, filtration cleaning and maintenance, behavioral/ medical observations, data recording and other duties as assigned.
- Interns may also play support roles in assisting with animal training and medical examinations.
- Partake in developmental curriculum including but not limited to quizzes and a presentation on approved topic of the interns choosing.
- Perform other duties as workload necessitates.
Qualifications:
- Interns must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
- This internship requires a regular schedule of 40 hours per week and may include weekends and holidays.
- Must have an interest or major in animal science, biology, zoology, psychology, or related field.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED.
- This is a paid internship with the goal of gaining work related animal career experience.
- Application Requirement: The internship application will require a resume and cover letter. Please submit as a PDF with a file name that indicates your name and the internship you’re applying for. Example: John_Smith_Internship_Resume.
Important Dates for Fall 2026 Semester:
Application Deadline: Friday, July 17th. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and may close before the official deadline.
Mandatory Fall 2026 Orientation: Thursday, October 1st, 2026.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; kneel; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and work around saltwater. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Commitment:
I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:
Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.
Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.
Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion