New England Aquarium

Polls show that voters consistently rank environmental issues among their lowest concerns in every election. This is a huge problem. Politicians want to win elections, and if environmental issues are a low priority for voters, they will be a low priority for policy makers. Yet polls also show that tens of millions of Americans strongly prioritize progressive environmental policies – the real problem is that these people do not vote. Indeed, even in recent nationwide elections, over 15 million individually identified environmentalists have stayed at home on Election Day. Therefore, the key to getting powerful environmental policies in place is not only to persuade more Americans to be environmentalists, it is also as simple as getting more of our existing environmentalists to vote. The Environmental Voter Project uses big-data analytics to identify inactive environmentalists and then applies cutting-edge behavioral science to turn them into more consistent voters. Using a new generation of Get-Out-The-Vote techniques, they are dramatically increasing voter turnout while precisely measuring our impact. EVP is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that does not endorse candidates or tell people how to vote; instead, EVP focuses on increasing environmental voter turnout to make the voices and needs of the environment heard. This is where you come in! The Live Blue Service Corps will be hosting a text and phone bank session, and we need your help to Get Out the Vote! Volunteers will receive an introduction to EVP’s mission and a training on basic phone and text-banking tools. From there, we will contact environmental voters via phone calls and/or text messages in an effort to increase voter turnout. No prior experience is necessary! Scripts will be provided, and you can opt for either speaking on the phone or sending text messages. *Please note: volunteers will need to use their own phone to participate. Smart phones work best for the texting app. If opting for phone banking (instead of texting), please bring a laptop so we can provide the appropriate applications.*

Want to know more about the live blue Service Corps? Through this program, we partner with area environmental organizations to provide episodic volunteer opportunities with a smaller commitment that also have an important impact on our mission! This program has built in flexibility; you only sign up for the service events in which you're interested and for which you have the time. To become a live blue Service Corps member, volunteers are first required to attend a one time, hour long orientation at the Aquarium. During this orientation you'll learn more about the live blue Service Corps, what kinds of projects you'll be doing, and what to expect. It's also a great chance to meet other volunteers! After attending the orientation you'll be able to sign up for any and all live blue Service Corps projects posted on serve.neaq.org/calendar. [Note that if you are interested in a more committed program, namely those in animal care and education, please visit serve.neaq.org/ClassicCorps to read about the application process]

Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is a woody vine that grows rapidly and can easily climb trees up to 90 feet tall. As Oriental bittersweet grows, it chokes or girdles the plant that it is clinging to, shades out other plants and makes trees top-heavy, making them susceptible to wind and ice damage. For this project, we will be supporting the Mystic River Watershed Association's Greenways Initiative to remove this invader from local waterfront parks! Your work will encourage the growth of healthy native habitat for the benefit of both terrestrial and aquatic residents. A pizza lunch will be provided after the event, so come help the park then stay for the food, company, and beautiful view!

Japanese knotweed is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's worst invasive species. This bamboo-like plant can grow 2 or more feet per month, and can have extensive root systems that damage property and choke out native plants. The best way to control this invader is to regularly cut back growth, giving native plants a fighting chance. For this event, we will be joining representatives of Acton Conservation Lands to learn more about this species, natural history of Acton, and take action to control this invader! You can arrive by car or by rail to South Acton Station. On Saturdays, a train arrives at 9:24am and leaves at 1:56pm. The worksite is about a 45 minute walk away, but please email volunteer@neaq.org if you need assistance with travel.

One of the many goals of the New England Aquarium and the live blue Service Corp is to foster an environmental stewardship ethic in the general public. One of the best ways to do this is to get people outdoors to simply enjoy and appreciate nature! For this project, volunteers will work with the Friends of the Blue Hills to maintain drainage structures such as culverts and water bars, and to clear the trails of overgrowth and downed branches. Volunteers will receive training in general safety as well as proper maintenance and use of the tools. This work will improve accessibility to nature for people of all ages! Wear sturdy boots, long pants and work gloves and bring at least one quart of water. You may also want to consider bringing sunscreen and (non-deet) bug spray. A pizza lunch will be provided.

The Esplanade is the stretch of public green space that extends for three miles along the Boston shore of the Charles River from the Museum of Science to the Boston University (BU) Bridge. In addition to providing a beautiful natural landscape, the park is home to the iconic Hatch Memorial Shell, various historical monuments, recreational facilities, and over five miles of pathway for walking, running, or biking. Since it's creation in 1910, the park has gone through numerous expansions and renovations. Now the park is a great place to visit for people and wildlife alike! We will be joining the Esplanade Association in general conservation work, including trash cleanup, gardening, and painting. Tasks and location will be decided about two weeks before the event, so save your spots and keep an eye out for updates!

Water Chestnut (which actually isn't a nut at all...) is an aquatic vegetable native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Since its discovery in Concord, MA, in 1859, the plant has spread throughout the Northeast and has been found as far south as Maryland. In our waters, it blocks native plants from receiving light and can sap waters of oxygen, killing fish. The best thing we can do? Get our feet wet and our hands dirty taking it out! After learning more about this noxious weed, we will be canoeing out onto the river to physically remove water chestnut using hands and tools. Prior canoe experience is not necessary, but be prepared for a wet and muddy day!

Education Outreach Volunteer Not currently recruiting FLEXIBLE hours due to variability of programming Summary: Aquarium Student Programs Volunteers represent the New England Aquarium off-site at schools and community centers as well as onsite alongside Aquarium Education staff. Volunteers will assist in the delivery of programs to preschool and school-age children and families on a range of marine topics. Programs may include live animals, classroom-style, exhibit-style programming or a theater presentation. The New England Aquarium reaches over 35,000 school children a year through our off-site programming. Responsibilities: · Assist with material preparation and transportation for New England Aquarium programs across New England; transportation of animals; program setup. · Answer questions and initiate conversation with program participants. · Train to lead portions of scripted programs. · When applicable, maintains marine organisms and observes animal health during programs. Programming includes: a. Outreach to schools & daycare centers b. Outreach to member's homes for birthday parties c. Outreach to community centers and after school sites d. Outreach/on-site private & promotional events e. Outdoor programming with school groups & families at a field site f. On-site classes for school groups, homeschool students, families and members 2 years-18 years Qualifications: · Willingness to learn about Aquarium exhibits, programs and marine science. · Comfort in public speaking for multiple age groups of diverse interests and backgrounds. · Must be comfortable handling marine organisms. · Must have enthusiasm and an interest in meeting and working with elementary age children. · Must be at least 18 years old. · Must have the ability to be CORI/SORI certified. Desirable: · Comfortable interpreting and presenting on marine science topics · Experience in public speaking and/or theater · Experience working with early childhood (ages 2 through 8) · Experience working with English Language Learner and/or special needs audiences · First Aid, CPR, or higher life saving certification · Knowledge of Boston neighborhoods, Boston Public Schools, and/or Boston afterschool centers · Summer camp background or experience teaching in the field Physical Demands: The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by a volunteer to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this position, the volunteer is required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, crawl, reach, push/pull, and lift up to 59 lbs. Occasionally the volunteer is required to lift up to 99 lbs. The volunteer is required to apply limited manual dexterity in combination with eye-hand coordination such as basic keyboarding, basic hand tools and instruments, filing, operating office equipment, operating a motor vehicle, etc. The volunteer must have good vision to read documents for general understanding. The volunteer will be required to review non-written materials for general observation purposes. Shift schedule varies according to program; start time between 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Shifts are typically between 5 to 10 hours. It may be possible to accommodate some schedule preferences.

Volunteer Department Office Assistant Volunteer Currently full One ½ day per week Sunday-Saturday to start Summary: The New England Aquarium’s Office of Volunteer Programs & Internships processes hundreds of applications each year and mobilizes a team of 1,000 volunteers/interns annually in support of the New England Aquarium’s mission of protecting the blue planet. Responsibilities: · Assist the with administrative tasks that support the day-to-day operations of the Office of Volunteer Programs & Internships · Assist with filing, scanning, data entry, and other office tasks as needed. Qualifications: · Detail-oriented, organized, friendly, and flexible. · Familiarity with MS Word, MS Excel, and Google Drive preferred.

Limited Weeday Openings One full day per week (8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) for a period of six months Summary: Marine Animal Rescue responds to calls to provide medical treatment for whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea turtles. Established in 1968, the Marine Animal Rescue Team has responded to thousands of calls providing medical treatment to stranded, injured and diseased marine animals throughout the New England coastal region. Volunteers provide support for Rescue staff in all aspects of the program. Responsibilities: A significant amount of cleaning is required in order to maintain the hospital environment. Additional responsibilities include following standard quarantine protocols, food prep, feeding, restraining animals for treatments and injections, monitoring behavior and health of animals, maintaining records including water quality, daily food intake, swim charts and treatment sheets. Qualifications: Previous (large) animal handling experience is recommended. Must be in good physical condition and able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to perform significant cleaning tasks daily. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Must be at least 18 years of age. *Note: you must have your own transportation because this program has moved offsite to our Animal Care Center in Quincy, MA and is not accessible by public transportation.

Monday-Friday, 1 full day or 2 half days per week for a period of 6 months Morning and/or afternoon availability from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Summary: The New England Aquarium’s Conservation Department aims to integrate scientific information, public outreach and policy initiatives to effect lasting change in the ocean environment. Our work involves extensive web-based research and report writing, which must be thoroughly and accurately documented. This position will assist the Conservation Department with organization of their computer based library, a collection of downloaded reports and journal articles. This position is an excellent opportunity for an individual majoring in library science or a related field. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, self-directed and able to successfully design and implement an organizational system for the library. Responsibilities: Organize an extensive collection of PDFs stored on a shared network Navigate existing Endnote files to extract relevant information in order to incorporate files into new organizational system Categorize PDF files based on topic/subject matter preferably in manner easily accessed within Windows 7 Represent the Conservation Department in a professional manner when interacting with other departments Perform other position related duties as assigned Qualifications: Must be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement due to access to proprietary information. Proficient in Windows 7, Microsoft programs, Endnote, and Adobe Familiarity with the principles and procedures necessary for computer-based recordkeeping preferred Familiarity and understanding of archival description and representation preferred Professionalism and comfort working independently in an office environment are required

Apply Now for Limited Weekday Openings Time commitment: One full day (8:00 am.-5:00 p.m.) per week for a period of 6 months Summary: The Giant Ocean Tank is a 200,000 gallon cylindrical Caribbean reef exhibit situated in the center of the Aquarium. It is home to over 600 animals and 130 species, including tropical fish, sharks, and sea turtles. 4 feeding dives and 2 maintenance dives occur daily and on a schedule. Volunteers are an integral part of our team, helping with all aspects of animal husbandry and tank maintenance. Responsibilities: This position involves no diving, but can serve as a prerequisite for the Giant Ocean Tank Dive Volunteer position. DAs will provide support to the Giant Ocean Tank dive staff and senior dive volunteers in the care and maintenance of the exhibit. Duties will include daily food preparation for the Giant Ocean Tank inhabitants, surface feedings, equipment repair and maintenance, cleaning of the food prep room and other support areas. The candidate will also provide support and assistance to the dive staff and senior dive volunteers with all aspects of Giant Ocean Tank surface work. Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Note: After 200 hours, DAs may be eligible to apply for the Giant Ocean Tank Dive Volunteer position, depending on volunteer’s performance, open water dives logged, and position availability. Although completion of the DA position serves as a prerequisite for the Dive Volunteer position, it does not guarantee a spot on the Dive Volunteer Team. Individuals interested in advancing to the Dive Volunteer Program must meet all criteria. All interested individuals must understand that even when all criteria are met, they may be wait-listed, depending on availability of current Dive Volunteer positions.