Pending Volunteer

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working marine animal hospital on Clearwater Beach. The location is a tourist destination. However it is not your typical aquarium. We are looking for volunteers that understand our mission. And want to further advance the mission through their activities. Our Mission:

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.


Our goal is to inspire the next generation of conservationists. To promote an appreciation and understanding of the importance of conservation efforts to preserve marine ecosystems in the local area.

There are opportunities to volunteer in Education, Water Quality/Life Support, Custodial Guest Services, HR, Marine Mammals, Aquatic Biology, Sea Turtle Rehab, Rescue (NOTE: Rescue volunteers must volunteer in an onsite department for 6 months BEFORE transferring to or adding rescue), Dive, Guest Engagement/Guest Services.


Within an animal care department there should be no expectation of direct animal contact. As a volunteer you will help clean the habitats and prepare diets. While you may have an opportunity to feed the animals you will not be in the habitat with the animals or swimming in the water with the animals. Your role is a support role for the animal care specialists. We can't do the work we do without our volunteers but we want to ensure that you have realistic expectations of this opportunity.


Because we work under a government permit everything we do requires strict training and passing a knowledge quiz to move to the next level. Therefore adult volunteer opportunities require a minimum commitment of 6 months 1x a week shift at the same day and time each week. These shifts may be from 4 to 6 hours long dependent upon the department. We do have limited shifts available based on job responsibilities each day. applying.


To start your journey - Click on the apply button in the upper right corner. Do not register for a welcome visit without applying. After you apply return to this page to complete the welcome visit registration date and pre-training required.

Next on your journey we require a welcome visit onsite to learn more about our opportunities. Please chose your visit day and time by completing the sheet questions located at this link:

After choosing your visit day and time please complete the volunteer training - Everyone - staff, interns and volunteers completes this training.

For onboarding, please follow these steps:

1. Go to: CMA Volunteer Welcome Training
2. Work your way through each item in order, including reading documents/watching videos and taking the corresponding quizzes. Please note that each quiz must be completed with a minimum of 80% in order to pass. You may retake quizzes if you need to in order to achieve the required score.

If you do not


1. apply

2. register for a visit

3. complete the training - and forward the Kulture City certificate to the HR team as instructed in the training


You will not be invited to the volunteer welcome visit. Please do not attend if you have not received a notice and an invite from the HR team.

Finally - this opportunity requires a 6 month commitment - same time, same day for 4 to 6 hours depending on the department. Do not apply if you can't commit.