Adult Volunteer Program

As the primary contact and frontline educators for visitors to the Aquarium, interpreters provide information about animals and exhibits, answer questions and direct visitors through the facility. They are able to observe a variety of Aquarium aspects, meet many members of the staff and use the knowledge they gained during training. This position gives volunteers the chance to raise visitors’ awareness of marine animals, the ecology of the Oregon coast, and the importance of conservation. 

An interpreter schedule is generally one 4 hour shift per week and determined by the volunteer’s availability and the Aquarium’s needs. We ask that Interpretation volunteers commit to a minimum of 100 hours in a calendar year. 

To prepare for the time spent in and around our exhibits, Interpretation volunteers must complete our full series of New Adult Volunteer Training. Training covers topics related to marine animals, the ecosystems of the Oregon Coast, conservation topics as well as guest engagement strategies. 

New Volunteer Training – Interpretation applicants must attend both the New Volunteer Information Session and the full series of six trainings. Guest Concierge, Horticulture and Husbandry applicants must attend Day One only.

New Volunteer Information Session:

• Weekday Evening: Thursday, October 15, from 6:00pm-7:30pm (Virtual Only)
  OR

• Weekend Morning: Saturday, October 17, from 10:30am-11:30am (in person at the Aquarium)

Training Dates:

• Day One: Saturday, November 7, 9:00am-4:00pm
• Day Two: Saturday, November 14, 9:00am-4:00pm
• Day Three: Saturday, November 21, 9:00am-4:00pm

Divers assist with multiple animal husbandry dive tasks. While in an exhibit—primarily the Passages of the Deep—divers will spend time cleaning acrylic, scrubbing rockwork, siphoning debris, waving to guests, and observing animals to evaluate health or behavior. Divers must provide their own cold-water dive gear, with the exception of cylinders, air fills, and weights. A separate application process is required for this position and it is only open to experienced, certified divers.

To be eligible for a volunteer diver position at the Oregon Coast Aquarium you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have obtained a minimum certification level of advanced open water diver OR have a minimum of 100 lifetime logged dives.
• Have a minimum of 24 total lifetime logged dives, at least 12 of which must have been in cold water.
• Must have logged dives within the last 12 months.
• Successfully complete a checkout dive with our dive safety officer.
• Commit to a minimum of one shift every month for at least one continuous year.
• Attend Diver Volunteer Information Session and Interview.
• Complete mandatory trainings for new divers.
• Complete a diver’s physical (at your expense).

Our next Diver Volunteer will be hosted in September 2026. Please submit a completed Diver Experience Form to volunteer@aquarium.org on or before August 28, 2026. Please email volunteer@aquarium.org with any questions or for more information.  

At this time, we have a waitlist for all Husbandry volunteer positions. Please also consider one of our other volunteer opportunities. Please complete our Adult Volunteer Application to be added to the interest list.

 
Husbandry volunteers assist animal care staff with a variety of tasks, including diet preparation, food preparation kitchen cleaning, monitoring animal behavior, and special projects. All husbandry volunteers must attend a New Volunteer Information Session, complete an interview with Aquarium staff and pass the background check. 
 
The minimum time commitment required for husbandry volunteers is one shift per week. Shift times vary based on placement. 

Guest Experience Concierge volunteers welcome guests warmly and connect with them to create memorable experiences with “insider tips” and knowledge about the Aquarium. Concierge volunteers interact with departing visitors to answer questions, provide information about travel needs such as lodging and restaurants suggestions and thank them for visiting the Aquarium.

Guest Experience Concierge volunteers must attend a New Volunteer Information Session, complete an interview with Aquarium staff and pass the background check. Concierge volunteers are asked to commit to one 2-hour shift per week.

Please complete our Adult Volunteer Application to be added to the interest list.

If you want to connect with the Oregon Coast Aquarium but are unable to travel to Newport, this is the position for you! Outreach Volunteers meet staff educators around the state of Oregon, helping with school programs, presentations, and information tables at community events. Tasks can include answering questions from the public, supporting students in activities, loading/unloading biofacts and tables for different programs. Outreach volunteers are not required to be regular Aquarium volunteers involved with on-site programming.

Requirements: 

• Volunteers must transport themselves to and from the program location or meet the Aquarium staff at the Aquarium for transportation.
• Ability and willingness to communicate with diverse groups of all ages. 
• Attend one onboarding session and interview.
• Pass a background check.

Please complete our Outreach Volunteer Application to be added to the interest list.

Do you enjoy gardening, working outdoors, and helping create beautiful spaces for visitors to enjoy? Join our Horticulture Volunteer team and help maintain the grounds that welcome thousands of guests each year.

As a Horticulture Volunteer, you’ll work alongside our Grounds staff to care for the Aquarium’s landscape through basic gardening and maintenance activities. Your efforts help create a welcoming environment while supporting sustainable gardening practices and native plant stewardship.

The minimum time commitment for this role is one shift per week for at least 6 months. We are willing to work with individuals who would like to volunteer in this role seasonally. Shifts are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 7:00 am-10:00 am.

Please complete our Adult Volunteer Application to be added to the interest list.