Volunteer Opportunities
Do you live in Sidney or Greater Victoria? Are you interested in giving back to your community and learning about the Salish Sea at the same time? Win, win, right?
OCEANEER VOLUNTEER
Greet our visitors and help them explore the habitats and marine life of the Salish Sea. We provide the training you need to answer questions about our marine life. The friendliness, enthusiasm and knowledge of our Oceaneers helps to inspire our visitors to return again and again.
A lot of time is invested into you and your training and for this we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 shifts per month. Each shift is 2.5 hours long and includes a short enrichment/learning session about our animals or other interesting happenings at the aquarium. All volunteers will be required to complete a free criminal record check.
To apply, please complete the application at the bottom of this page.
YOUTH OCEANEER - YEAR ROUND
If you are 13-18 years old you can apply to be a Youth Oceaneer. Greeting and educating our visitors, you will learn about the Salish Sea Bioregion and have fun doing it. We provide the training.
This is a great opportunity to build customer service, interpretation and public speaking skills. You will gain valuable volunteer hours for school as well as future work references!
For this opportunity we ask for a minimum commitment of 2 shifts, that’s 5 hours per month plus attendance at our New Volunteer Orientation training session. All volunteers will be required to complete a free criminal record check.
To apply, please complete the application at the bottom of this page.
VOLUNTEER AQUARIST
Meet Betty, our resident Wolf Eel.
As an Volunteer Aquarist you will work with our Animal Care Team to ensure we showcase our live exhibits and marine creatures to the best standards at all times.
You will be trained to assist our well qualified aquarists in caring, feeding and cleaning habitats for all the animals in our care. Must be available on the same day weekly or bi-weekly for a minimum of 3 months.
*** Must be at least 16 years of age and have a minimum of 40 hours experience as an Oceaneer Volunteer ***
Please email Amanda LeSergent, Manager of Animal Care, at aquarist3@salishseacentre.org to apply.
YOUTH OCEANEER - SUMMER ONLY
Are you looking for something to do this summer but don’t want to make a commitment for the whole year? Then this the right program for you.
If you are 13-18 years old, you can apply to be a Youth Oceaneer, talking to visitors and learning more about your Salish Sea. We ask for a minimum commitment of 5 hours per week plus attendance at our New Volunteer Orientation training session. All volunteers will be required to complete a free criminal record check.
To apply, please complete the application at the bottom of this page. Applications accepted until June each summer.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS VOLUNTEER
If you love working with children or adolescents and are available during school hours, consider becoming a School Programs volunteer. Help our Education staff deliver curriculum-focused school programs from preschool to grade 12.
You choose the level of instruction at which you are comfortable. We are flexible and all training is provided. All volunteers will be required to complete a free criminal record check.
*Opportunities are available after you have 40 hours of experience as an Oceaneer Volunteer and are on an “as needed” basis
BOARD DIRECTOR
All current society members in good standing can put their names forward to sit on our Board of Directors (see list of current Board members here). We are currently recruiting for multiple Board Director positions. If you are interested in future board involvement please contact ed@salishseacentre.org for more information.
Volunteer Application Form
You will be contacted when we have a volunteer meet & greet session scheduled. These are typically every 3 months or so depending on the number of volunteer applicants we have.
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities or receive an emailed copy of the application form, please call: Amanda LeSergent, Volunteer Manager at 250 665 7511 ext. 107, or email: volunteer@salishseacentre.org