Aquarium Internship - Paid

This position is on-site at The Butterfly House & Aquarium located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Butterfly House & Aquarium is offering an opportunity to work side-by-side with our aquarists to learn the details of animal husbandry. Home to South Dakota’s only saltwater aquarium and tropical butterfly conservatory, the BHA offers unique hands-on experiences for Sioux Falls and surrounding communities. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain unique and practical experience in the aquarium field for the purpose of developing a solid foundation for a future career in the aquarium or marine research industry.

Primary Duties:

Work side-by-side with the aquarists to learn the details of animal husbandry

Participate in the daily husbandry of our aquatic animal collection

Assist Aquarists with the maintenance of exhibits

Food preparation

Animal observation

Record keeping

Developing an independent research project to be presented at the end of the internship

Qualifications:

Pursuing or holding a degree in biology, marine sciences, or related fields
- Preference will be given to a current college student or recent graduate

Must be 18 or older

Must be physically fit and able to lift 75 pounds

Must be a team player, be able to follow instructions, and have a positive attitude

Have strong communication skills, a desire to learn, and understand the purpose behind marine education in a land-locked location

Assessment:

A satisfactory evaluation will be given to students who comply with their scheduled shifts, perform all tasks with honest effort, and complete their independent project.

This position is for a 400-hour internship working 40-hours-a-week for 10 weeks beginning in May and ending in August, based on the applicant's availability.