Habitat interpreters share their enthusiasm and stories about Aquarium animals with our guests, answer questions and facilitate conversations to help people better understand the marine environment.
Initially, habitat interpreters spend most of their time at our Life on the Edge touch pools and giant Pacific octopus habitat. With additional training, interpreters may move throughout the habitat galleries and focus on other habitats, such as the Underwater Dome, Birds & Shores and Marine Mammals.
Don’t know much about marine animals and their habitats? You can still serve as a habitat interpreter! To prepare for time spent in our habitats, all Aquarium volunteers receive extensive training on the marine animals in our care and interpretive communication techniques. Volunteers are assigned to a team of eight to 15 volunteers and led by a staff marine science interpreter, who shares the important work of actively engaging our guests.
The minimum time commitment required for habitat interpreters is one four-hour shift every week for a minimum of six continuous months. Shifts begin at 9am, 11am and 2pm seven days a week. New volunteers must complete the full series of new volunteer training to begin.
Fall 2026 Orientation and Training
Thank you for your interest in joining our community of habitat interpreters! To apply for this program, please apply below.
Registration closes on Tuesday, August 18.
Orientation for this training series will be held virtually over Zoom on Thursday, August 20, 6–7:30pm PST. A link to the orientation meeting will be shared with all applicants the day prior.
Habitat interpretation training overview
If accepted, all habitat interpretation volunteers must complete the full training series to begin volunteering. Volunteers who cannot complete the full training series should wait for a future onboarding cycle. Upon completion of the training program, habitat interpretation shifts will begin the week of Sunday, October 25.
Step 1: Orientation—Thursday, August 20, 6–7:30pm
This is a virtual Zoom meeting during which you can meet fellow prospective volunteers and hear from the Volunteer Engagement team about the programs we offer. Attending orientation is not a commitment to volunteering; this is just a chance to learn and ask questions.
Step 2: Interviews—Thursday, August 27–Monday, August 31
Each prospective volunteer must complete one virtual interview via Zoom. Interviews are typically 20–30 minutes long, are informal, and allow you a chance to speak with existing volunteers to learn more about the habitat interpretation experience.
Step 3: Volunteer support and safety training—Tuesday, September 8, 6–8pm
A virtual Zoom training in which the Volunteer Engagement team will discuss important support, policy and safety items as well as functional how-tos of volunteering at the Seattle Aquarium.
Step 3.5—Self-paced online learning
Whether you’re an expert in marine environments or a total beginner, the online habitat interpretation trainings will give you basic knowledge of Puget Sound waters and animals. Complete these modules at your own pace online before your first in-person training day!
Step 4—Life on the Edge habitat training: Multiple dates available
Hosted on select dates, 9am−3pm. These trainings take place at the Seattle Aquarium in our classroom and habitat spaces. Volunteers only need to attend one Life on the Edge habitat training. During this training, you’ll get a broad introduction to the Life on the Edge habitat, where all volunteers begin their interpretation journeys.
- Tuesday, Sept 29
- Thursday, Oct 1
- Saturday, Oct 3
- Monday, Oct 5
- Wednesday, Oct 7
Step 5: Certification night—Multiple dates available
Hosted on select dates, 6−9pm. These trainings take place at the Seattle Aquarium in our habitat spaces, after the Aquarium has closed to the public. Volunteers only need to attend one certification night training, during which you’ll practice your interpretation skills and learn how to succeed as a habitat interpreter from established volunteers.
- Tuesday, October 13
- Wednesday, October 14
- Wednesday, October 21
Step 6: Begin your interpretation shifts!
Habitat interpretation shifts will begin Sunday, October 25–Saturday, October 31, depending on your schedule. During your first four shifts as a new habitat interpreter, you’ll get to know your shift supervisor and fellow volunteers while continuing your onboarding experience with hands-on orientation learning supported by your shift supervisor. Please note that weekly attendance for the first four weeks is required as part of your continued onboarding.
