Aquarium Science - Summer Internship

Description

Position Title: Assistant Aquarist Internship

Department/Unit: Aquarium Science

Classification: Student Employment

Status (exempt or non-exempt): non-exempt

Rate of Pay: $16.56 per hour   

Reports To: Director of the Teaching Aquarium

Time Frame: Summer 2026 (June 15, 2026 – Sept. 18, 2026)

Hours per week: Variable – No more than 360 Hours within the above stated time frame

This Position posting closes on 04/24/2026

This posting is for 2 Positions

An Application is complete when the following have been uploaded: 

• A Resume 
• A Cover Letter 

Position Summary

The assistant aquarist works alongside professional aquarists to provide animal care, system maintenance, and facilities management for the Aquarium Science Building. The Director and staff will assist and assign the work to the assistant aquarist. This position will be focused on the disassembly and moving of animal systems in the Aquarium Science Building in preparation for upcoming construction projects in Summer 2026. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that animal safety is maintained during disassembly and movement of equipment.  
• Complete aquarium system maintenance as instructed. 
• General building maintenance tasks may also be assigned to the student in this position.
• Work on special projects related to upcoming construction projects in summer 2025
• Work involves frequently lifting 50 pounds, working safely with tools, safely moving about in wet areas, and using digital devices to record observations and tasks.

The list of essential functions is intended to be representative of the tasks performed by this position. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Required

• Currently enrolled in AQS 295 in the Summer 2026 Term
• Knowledge of life support principles for recirculating aquatic systems

Preferred:

• Experience with plumbing related tasks and tools.  
• A second language is helpful (Spanish) but is not required

Working Environment & Physical Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:  

• Sit, see and talk or hear.  
• Have mobility to move between offices, classrooms, and floors. 
• Use hands to finger, handle or operate computers, objects, tools or controls. 
• Reach with hands and arms.  
• Bend, stoop, and pull. 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and have the ability to carry equipment and tools of moderate weight, using arms and hands.  
• Have vision and hearing abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus, and complete and maintain various types of records.  
• Hear the conversational voice and effectively communicate responses. 
• Work in and around aquarium tanks and laboratories. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Oregon Coast Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

We strive to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and we encourage applications from persons with varied backgrounds and perspectives.? 

In support of Oregon Veterans Preference in Public Employment, we encourage veterans and veterans with disabilities to explore employment opportunities at Oregon Coast Community College. 

All positions at Oregon Coast Community College are required to be available for work onsite as requested by the college.? 

Employees must maintain Oregon residency as a condition of employment. 

Federal law prohibits the College from employing an individual who has not provided documentation for verification by the third day of employment. 

Contact Human Resources if you need assistance and/or an accommodation to aid your participation in our hiring process, contact Human Resources at 541-867-8515. 

• Notice of Affirmative Action Policy- It is the policy of Oregon Coast Community College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ?marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or family relationship (ORS 659.340), in admission and access to, or treatment in, employment, educational programs, or activity as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and their implementing regulations.