Rain Forest interns assist staff biologist in the Upland Tropical Rain Forest exhibit with the care and daily tasks associated with the live animals and the plant collection. Staff biologists include herpetologists, aviculturists, aquarist and a horticulturist. Interns will participate in duties including cleaning, diet preparation, animal observations, record keeping, animal training and exhibit maintenance. Animal taxa include reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish and birds. This position also includes care for New World plant species and some natives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepare diets.
• Assist in maintenance of on and off habitat animal areas.
• Complete water changes and filter changes.
• Learn basic water quality skills.
• Cleaning dishes/laundry.
• Tend to feeder colonies of anthropods and live food cultures (roaches, fruit flies, springtails, crickets and mice).
• Conduct and record animal observations.
• Perform special projects as determined by Rain Forest team members including basic data entry.
• Observe medical procedures on collection animals.
• Maintain logs for environmental parameters, feeds, etc. as requested.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to work as scheduled between 7:30am and 4pm.
• Must be comfortable working alongside all animal species and willing to work with all taxa including live food.
• Ability to work independently and willingness to learn animal husbandry.
• Willing to work in extreme temperature including very hot/humid, very cold and wet environments.
• Ability to work safely around large open bodies of water and at great heights.
• Capable of lifting 50 lbs.
• Ideal candidate will have some experience working/shadowing in a professional animal facility and be comfortable with public speaking.
• Experience may include nature centers, lab, farm, veterinary office, pet store or zoo/aquarium.
• Availability to attend intern onboarding week Monday - Friday, June 1st - June 5th.
• Availability to complete 200 program hours over 10-12 weeks June - August 2026.

Internships at the National Aquarium provide hands-on and minds-on experiences that add value to any college education. Applying classroom knowledge, interns obtain valuable job experience and establish professional contacts.

College internship positions are available year-round in many departments throughout the Aquarium. The Aquarium makes every effort to match interns to work that complements their studies, interests, and skills. Students may apply for up to two internships per term; if more than two applications are submitted, only the first two will be considered.

The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply.

Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website. All questions and requests for reasonable accommodation should be directed to intern@aqua.org. A complete application includes the following:

• Answers to application questions, including biographical information, your availability, and a brief explanation of why you would like to participate and how it will assist you in your career.
• Copy of resume
• Contact information for 2 references

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.