YouthWorks

Baltimore City Summer Job Opportunity

  • Duration

    Multiple Days

  • Grades

    9 - 12

  • Price

    Free to Apply; Paid Summer Job

  • Where

    Main Aquarium Campus,

    In the Field

Overview

YouthWorks, a paid summer jobs program through the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development, connects thousands of young people between the ages of 14 and 21 to summer jobs with private, nonprofit, and city and state government employers throughout Baltimore every year. Participants work in a variety of industries and gain workforce readiness and career-specific skills.

For 20 years, the National Aquarium has proudly participated in YouthWorks as a worksite for eligible youth. We invite any interested candidate to apply to join our dynamic workforce in support of our mission of connecting people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our planet.

YouthWorks 2024 program will run for five weeks, from Monday, July 8 through Friday, August 9. YouthWorkers must be available to work up to 25 hours per week for the duration of the program and will be paid $15.00 per hour. Young people who live in Baltimore City and will be between the ages of 14 and 21 on July 5, 2024, are eligible to apply.

Participation Requirements

To participate in YouthWorks at the National Aquarium, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete a YouthWorks application
  • Complete a National Aquarium interest form
  • Attend a screening interview with Aquarium staff
  • Be available to work for the duration of the program (July 8 through August 9, 2024) and able to work a maximum of 25 hours per week.

2024 Positions

This position is ideal for an individual looking to work outdoors to gain experience with scientific data collection, community engagement, and basic nature trail maintenance. This person will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of field and community programming for Conservation Program initiatives. Will work with staff, volunteers, students, community members and partners. Most activities will occur outdoors with a focus on Baltimore's Inner Harbor or off-site at the Fort McHenry wetland located in Baltimore City. Transportation is provided and based out of the National Aquarium's Animal Care and Rescue Center.

Essential Functions:

  • Supports the implementation of Conservation Program initiatives, including habitat restoration, community engagement, community science, marine debris cleanups, wildlife gardening and outreach programs.
  • Aids in weekly collection of water quality samples from Baltimore's Inner Harbor and helps maintain water quality equipment.
  • Supports staff in maintaining the floating wetlands; a successful applicant must be comfortable working on small boats and in close proximity to water.
  • Assists staff in collecting scientific biodiversity data from the Inner Harbor.
  • Aids in implementing the Fort McHenry Paddle Project, a free Baltimore City youth project at the Fort McHenry wetland. During these events, the Aide will support youth groups on community science nature walks and in seining for fish.
  • Contributes to trail maintenance of the Fort McHenry wetland.

Qualifications:

  • Must be enthusiastic, motivated and enjoy working with people.
  • Must be prepared to perform duties in various outdoor terrains and occasional inclement weather conditions.
  • Have strong communication skills and the ability to engage with youth and community members of all ages.
  • Possess basic computer skills, including using email and navigating the internet.
  • Be able to work with a team and independently.
  • Be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Be committed to the Aquarium's mission.

Guest engagement representatives support all Guest Engagement programs and paid tours and experiences in the aquarium. Responsibilities for this position include formal and informal interpretation while working at the Living Seashore touchpools, engaging guests with props or at carts, and helping to facilitate different tours throughout the day and week, culminating in outstanding guest experiences. All programs, whether paid or included with admission, are crafted to help tell the story of the National Aquarium, its animals and staff, and to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. In addition to regular daily/weekly tours and programs, representatives may be asked to assist with daily maintenance or other tasks as assigned.

Essential Functions:

  • Inspires conservation by presenting/facilitating various unique and interactive programs to diverse audiences each day. Much time is spent at touchpools and immersive exhibits, while other programs will be delivered elsewhere on Aquarium grounds.
  • Provides world-class guest service to all guests and staff and positively represents the National Aquarium.
  • Helps to maintain all department equipment, props, workspaces and written material.
  • Maintains an excellent working relationship with all Aquarium departments and partners to help the Guest Engagement team to consistently deliver excellent guest experiences.
  • Follows all Aquarium safety rules and protocols, especially when handling Aquarium animals and moving in behind-the-scenes areas.
  • Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned or required; may assist other departments as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Have strong presentation and public speaking skills.
  • Good knowledge of biology and conservation issues is desired but not required.
  • Possess strong guest service skills.
  • Outgoing and energetic personality, enthusiastic about engaging others in conversation.
  • Job requires availability during peak attendance times (i.e., weekends, summer, holidays, etc.).
  • Be committed to the Aquarium's mission.

This position is responsible for anticipating guest needs, exceeding expectations and implementing creative solutions to provide exceptional service. This position represents the National Aquarium in various areas throughout the venue. Responsibilities include supporting guest needs from the moment of arrival through departure and ensuring all requests are addressed enthusiastically and in accordance with Aquarium policies and procedures. Representatives should aim to integrate the National Aquarium's values of Connection, Curiosity, Optimism, Service and Wellbeing into their interactions with guests and coworkers alike.

Essential Functions:

  • Provides exceptional guest service that transforms a day at the Aquarium from ordinary to extraordinary by supporting Guest Service needs, assisting guests in a friendly and positive manner and creating opportunities to share messages that support the Aquarium's conservation and business goals.
  • Uses knowledge gained about the Aquarium's history, accomplishments and goals to deliver Personal Facilitated Experiences (PFEs) that engage guests.
  • Uses skills gained through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training in daily guest interactions.
  • Ensures guest safety by following established and ad hoc safety policies and procedures, including scanning tickets for timed entry, enforcing safety guidelines around escalators and elevators, assisting with emergencies and evacuations, and reporting potential safety hazards.
  • Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications:

  • Must be enthusiastic, motivated and enjoy working with people.
  • Have strong communication skills and the ability to engage Aquarium guests of all ages.
  • Possess strong basic computer skills, including using email, navigating the internet and working with MS Office applications.
  • Be able to work with a team and independently.
  • Be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Be committed to the Aquarium's mission.

This position is ideal for an individual seeking experience with basic animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance. This person will be responsible for assisting primary Animal Care staff with their routine, including diet preparation and distribution, cleaning, record-keeping and maintaining feeder insect colonies. Works with staff, volunteers, interns and guests. Most activities will occur in exhibit spaces that are maintained as ideal environments for the animals, which can be quite hot and humid. The ability to climb ladders and stairs and to work around heights and water is required. Due to the nature of work and proximity to animals, applicants must be 18 years or older.

Essential Functions:

  • Prepares diets, feeds and provides water to the animals within the Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit, including birds, reptiles, fishes, and invertebrates.
  • Maintains live feed colonies as assigned.
  • Observes animal behavior and health and maintains records of observations.
  • Daily responsibilities include servicing and maintaining exhibits, cleaning off-exhibit holding and food dishes, and monitoring and recording temperature, water chemistry data, etc.
  • Keeps backup areas clean and organized.
  • Assists in pest control as necessary.
  • Adheres to organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must be enthusiastic, motivated and enjoy working with people.
  • Have basic knowledge of biology and zoology concepts and be interested in and able to learn about common husbandry techniques and veterinary care.
  • Prepared to perform in various environmental conditions.
  • Able to maintain a calm and controlled demeanor around animals of all types, including birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.
  • Possess strong communication skills and be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Possess basic computer skills, including using email and navigating the internet.
  • Able to work with a team and independently.
  • Be committed to the Aquarium's mission.

Interest Form

Complete our interest form to become a candidate for YouthWorks placement at the National Aquarium. YouthWorks jobs at the Aquarium this summer include positions in guest services, field conservation and more.

The interest form for the summer 2024 session is now closed. We encourage you to complete our interest form next year. Interest forms for summer 2025 will open in January 2025.

Note: Due to the limited availability of positions, completing this form does NOT guarantee selection by or placement at the National Aquarium.

Questions?

Please email Emily Boyd at eboyd@aqua.org.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

The National Aquarium is dedicated to creating an environment that is inclusive, equitable and accessible to people from all backgrounds. We cannot successfully change the way humanity cares for our ocean planet without connecting with and appreciating the broad diversity of identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that make our community unique.

About YouthWorks

Since the mid-1990s, YouthWorks has provided Baltimore City teens and young adults with summer jobs where they can earn money, learn basic workplace skills and develop into Baltimore's future workforce.

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