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Life Sciences

A white wave shape.

At this time, we do not have any life sciences volunteer openings. All openings are offered first to individuals actively volunteering with the Seattle Aquarium.

Life sciences volunteers assist animal care staff with a variety of tasks, including habitat maintenance and diet preparation.

All life sciences volunteers must complete new volunteer orientation and the new volunteer training series.

The minimum time commitment required for life sciences volunteers is one four-hour shift per week for one continuous year. Shift times vary based on placement. 

BIRDS AND MAMMALS TASKS:

Clean and maintain bird and mammal habitats, prepare diets and vitamin supplementation, conduct animal observations, and other cleaning and sanitation tasks. May assist with bird and mammal feedings, enrichment and special projects on an as-needed basis under staff discretion and supervision only. No direct, physical animal contact or training of animal behaviors is permitted.

TEMPERATE FISH AND INVERTEBRATES TASKS:

Clean and maintain fish and invertebrate habitats and back-of-house areas. Assist with feedings, enrichment and special projects on an as-needed basis under staff direction and supervision only.

TROPICAL FISH AND INVERTEBRATES TASKS:

Clean and maintain fish and invertebrate habitats and back-of-house areas. Assist with feedings, enrichment and special projects on an as-needed basis under staff direction and supervision only.

Sea otter Sekiu stretching her head out of the water while swimming in the sea otter habitat at the Seattle Aquarium.
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Website maintenance

Please note: Our ticketing and membership systems will be offline for approximately two hours starting at 9pm Pacific on Tuesday, February 20. During the maintenance window, online ticketing and membership will not be available.

Thank you for understanding.

Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

An adult sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium looking upwards with its front paws resting on its front.

Giving Tuesday

Make a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Seattle Aquarium

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 thanks to a very generous anonymous donor!

Sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium laying on its back, raising its head and front paws.

Cyber weekend

Get 15% OFF all memberships!