Conservation Volunteer

There are two opportunities for Conservation Volunteers at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute!

Conservation Volunteers

Conservation volunteers will work with the reintroduction programs caring for rare and imperiled native freshwater fish species such as Lake Sturgeon, Southern Appalachian Brook Trout, and others. Responsibilities include preparing fish diets, helping maintain good water quality, checking water chemistry parameters, monitoring fish health, and more. This is an opportunity to get hands-on experience with the conservation of endangered species!

Work Area

· Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute

Qualifications

Conservation Volunteers should:

· Be prompt and reliable

· Be at least 18 years old

· Be enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university

· Be willing to follow exact instructions regarding fish care and biosecurity

· Commit to a regular volunteer schedule

· Be able to handle seafood

· Be able to climb ladders

Duties & Responsibilities

· Prepare daily diets

· Assist in feeding fish

· Perform water changes

· Maintain a clean environment for the animals

· Check water quality

· Assist the biologists with other tasks as needed

Training

· Training will consist of shadowing the biologists for each task

Shifts

· Volunteers will be asked to work a shift one to two times during the work week in the morning or afternoon. Shifts will be approximately four hours. Times will be agreed upon with the volunteer and staff once accepted into the program.

Commitment

· Commit to five months of service

Field Conservation Volunteer

Conservation volunteers will work with the conservation field scientists to collect Southeastern aquatic animals in their natural environments. Responsibilities include working outdoors in various conditions collecting a variety of aquatic animal species in varying environments. This is an opportunity to get hands-on experience with the conservation of endangered species! Interested applicants will be interviewed before being granted the position.

Work Area

· Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute

· Field sites within a 200 mile radius of Chattanooga

Qualifications

Conservation Volunteers should:

· Be prompt and reliable

· Be at least 18 years old

· Have own form of transportation and be willing to transport yourself to field sites (will be reimbursed the standard aquarium rate for mileage)

· Be enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university

· Be willing to follow exact instructions regarding fieldwork

· Have a flexible schedule

· Be able to work long days in adverse (cold/hot/humid/rainy) weather

· Be able to carry equipment such as seines and buckets

· Be able to walk on uneven and often slippery surfaces

Duties & Responsibilities

· Assist scientists with field collections

· Provide excellent care of live animals during collections

· Maintain a positive attitude

· Be willing to work as a team

Training

· Training will consist of shadowing the scientists in the field

Shifts

· Volunteers will be contacted when field days are scheduled. Field days can last between 4-12 hours including travel time. Times will be agreed upon with the volunteer and staff once accepted into the program.

Commitment

· Commit is flexible due to the nature of the work