Internships at OdySea Aquarium

Learn at OdySea Aquarium through the Internship Program!

The internship program is organized to provide students with a unique learning experience where they will intern under mentor staff to complete an organized learning program with hands-on, real-world opportunities.

Interns must be at least 18 years old, adhere to professional grooming standards, and must be able to commit to a minimum of 16-40 hours each week during the internship semester. Please see the internship posts for more specific requirements for each program.

Internships offer a valuable, hands-on learning experience to build your skills and resume. Internships are unpaid.

(Please note: Interns must be 18 years or older to participate, and must be actively enrolled in college – or recently graduated within 1 year – to apply.)

Now accepting intern applications for Spring 2025 semester.
- Application deadline for SPRING semester is December 1, 2024.

DESCRIPTION:

OdySea Aquarium, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the largest aquarium in the Southwest, spanning 200,000 square feet. The multi-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and accommodates up to 10,000 visitors daily. The aquarium is a premier learning environment that is home to multiple species of fish, sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, seals, otters, penguins, and various ambassador animals.

INTERNSHIP SUMMARY:

The OdySea Aquarium Internship program is available in several departments within the aquarium. All internships are unpaid positions, but offer valuable learning experiences. The internships are aligned with the semester calendar and require a 3-4 month commitment of a minimum of 3-5 days a week (depending on internship area). Interns will be required to complete a project and present to the staff and peers at the end of the internship. A mandatory background check and drug screening will be required before beginning the internship. Housing and transportation will not be provided by OdySea Aquarium. Students wishing to earn college credit for the internship must coordinate with their college and OdySea Aquarium in sufficient time to make appropriate arrangements

EMPLOYEE PROMISE:

All interns are expected to exemplify core fundamentals of the OdySea Aquarium Employee Promise, which states:

I am empowered to take ownership of any opportunity to exceed expectations.
I anticipate guest needs and pay attention to the details.
I treat all internal and external customers with respect.
I am on stage! (Smile)
I have an attitude of gratitude.
I get it right the first time.
I display actions that are moral and ethical.
I always provide alternative solutions.
I am committed to learning every aspect of our product and services.
I use the 10/5 rule, at 10 feet I acknowledge the guests’ presence with a smile and at 5 feet I greet them with a courteous word.
I use name recognition at every opportunity.
I take personal responsibility for our surroundings.
I am accountable for my tools and resources.
I value the contribution of every team member.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

Currently enrolled in college or recent graduate (within 1 year)
Adherence to OdySea Aquarium grooming standards
Follow all Departmental Standard Operating Procedures
Satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen
Ability to intern a minimum of 3-5 days per week during the designated semester
Ability to work various operating hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Willingness to speak in front of groups of people
Must be comfortable speaking on microphone and engaging with guests
Willingness to be flexible, learn and multitask
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, team oriented, responsible, enthusiastic and flexible
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Must be able to access animal exhibits, enclosures, and pools

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participate in educational presentations and interactive programs within the aquarium
Create positive guest interactions and experiences daily
Keep a record of learning activities and hours
Complete a project and give an oral presentation with visual aids to fellow peers and staff
Follow all policies and procedures set forth by OdySea Aquarium
Complete any applicable additional tasks, worksheets, quizzes, tests, or projects as determined by the specific internship program

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

SEMESTER AND APPLICATION DATES”

Internships are available in the following areas:

ANIMAL CARE: MAMMALS, BIRDS, AND REPTILES:

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Animal Care Internship program, interns will have the opportunity to work alongside Animal Care Specialists, in a supportive and supervised role, for the care of a diverse animal collection including California sea lions, Asian small-clawed otters, African penguins, psittacines, and small mammals. Interns will be instrumental in daily operations including husbandry and cleaning, diet preparation, and guest education. The curriculum for this internship includes introduction to operant conditioning, public speaking, behavioral seminars, and proper animal care and handling through hands-on experiences. This internship requires 40 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks.

ANIMAL CARE: AQUARIST:

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Animal Care: Aquarist Internship program, interns will rotate throughout the aquarium’s four galleries and quarantine facility during their internship. Interns will work alongside OdySea Aquarium Aquarists in a supportive and supervised role with the opportunity to work with a large collection of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), freshwater and marine fishes, invertebrates, and a select number of freshwater and marine reptiles, including green sea turtle and loggerhead turtles. Interns will be instrumental in daily operations including husbandry and cleaning, diet preparation, public speaking and guest education. This Internship requires 40 hours per week for a full semester.

DIVE MAINTENANCE INTERNSHIP:

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Dive Maintenance Internship Program, interns will work in a supportive and supervised role with the Dive Maintenance Team, the Animal Care Departments, and the Life Support Systems Team to care for the exhibits and animals. Dive safety, communication, animal welfare, animal health, record keeping, and guest experience are priorities for the teams. Additional requirements: current Open Water Dive certification; 20 or more logged dives; ability to pass the swim/dive test; ability to pass a dive physical (at intern’s expense), as well as other specific requirements. This internship requires a minimum of 24 hours per week for a full semester.

EDUCATION & CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP:

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Education & Conservation Internship program, interns will inspire guests to understand, appreciate, and protect the biodiversity of the world and will encourage guests to make conservation efforts and take steps to make a difference with their daily actions. Interns will assist with educational presentations, interpreting in front of animal exhibits, and educating through the use of artifacts. Interns will also work with the Conservation Committee to assist with planning and implementing the multiple conservation initiatives that OdySea is involved with. Interns will assist the Animal Care team with the husbandry of the Reptile Animal Ambassador program animals in a supportive and supervised role. Interns might also assist with curriculum development, field trip coordination, outreach, classes/camps/workshops, fact sheets, and signage. The Education Department works closely with the Volunteer, Animal Care, Aquarist, HR, Marketing, and Guest Relations Departments, so interns might also assist these departments in some of the overlapping areas. This internship requires a minimum of 24 hours per week for a full semester.

GUEST RELATIONS MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP:

HUMAN RESOURCES INTERNSHIP:

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Human Resources Internship program, the HR intern will learn how to engage with and support our internal customers, gain experience in multiple HR avenues such as onboarding, training, recruiting, development, various administrative duties and HR compliance, and assist in making OdySea in the Desert a great place to work. The HR intern will work with the HR Coordinator to develop a long-term project that will benefit the company and be presented at the conclusion of the internship. The HR intern will learn how to assist the HR coordinator in day to day HR duties, as well as complete benchmark goals throughout the semester. This internship is flexible but requires a minimum of 12 hours per week (Tuesday- Friday).

ANIMAL CARE: LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS (LSS)

As part of OdySea Aquarium’s Animal Care: Life Support Systems (LSS) Internship program, interns will work alongside OdySea Aquarium LSS Technicians in a supportive and supervised role. Interns will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of aquarium system maintenance, troubleshooting, design, and construction. Interns will learn to work with the large diversity of pumps, plumbing, and filters that maintain the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of OdySea Aquarium exhibits. Interns will be instrumental in daily operations including routine rounds, baseline cleaning, and assisting with system construction. Interns should expect to operate power tools, utilize PPE, and must be a proficient swimmer. This internship requires a minimum of 36 hours per week for a full 16-week semester.

CLICK HERE to apply for an internship >

Internships

Learn at OdySea Aquarium through the Internship Program!

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Internships are available in the following areas: