Intern - Dolphin Coast - Fall 2026

Position Title:          Animal Training (Dolphin Coast) Intern – Fall 2026

Department:            Animal Training: Dolphin Coast - 3400

Division:                    Zoological Operations

Classification:          Non-Exempt  

Direct Report:          Intern Coordinator – Jack Finnerty

Position Summary:

Georgia Aquarium’s Animal Training (Dolphin Coast) internship is designed for college students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience with common bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, and scarlet ibis. This internship is designed to give hands on experience in the marine mammal training field. Interns work directly with the animal training staff and are exposed to all aspects of the daily care and training of common bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, and scarlet ibis. This internship will give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields where they are considering pursuing careers.

Responsibilities:

Interns will:

1. Interact with and learn from the Animal Training staff about animal conditioning of dolphins for both presentation and guest interaction programs.


2. Assist with responsibilities that directly benefit the animals, including: animal diet preparation, water sampling, exhibit/area maintenance, behavioral observations and discussions, environmental enrichment, guest presentations and interactions, data recording, animal care area clean-up, and disinfection, and assistance with animal training and handling.


3. Play support roles in assisting with animal training and husbandry sessions.


4. Show support as needed.


5. Interact with guests, staff, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner.


6. Identify all animals in the dolphin and bird exhibit areas.


7. Understand safety procedures.


8. Attend all seminars and take all quizzes required.


9. To perform other duties as workload necessitates.

 Qualifications:

1. Must have a high school diploma or GED.


2. College experience preferred with preference for animal sciences, biology, zoology, psychology, or related majors.


3. Strong desire to gain valuable experience working with marine mammals.


4. Independent worker and team player.


5. Hardworking, dependable, and time efficient.


6. Comfortable swimming and working in and around saltwater


7. Legally able to work in the United States without restriction.


8. Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs, comfortably climb ladders and stairs, handle raw fish, and kneel, squat, and stand for extended periods of time.


9. Candidates must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet qualifications throughout their internship.


10. Schedule availability to include in-person 5-day work weeks, totaling 40 hours including weekends, holidays, and variable shifts


11. Strong desire to gain valuable experience working with marine mammals. Previous animal care experience is preferred.


12. This is an experience-based, paid internship.


13. Application Requirement: The internship application will require a resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation. Please submit as a PDF with a file name that indicates your name and the internship you’re applying for. Example: John_Smith_Internship_Resume.

Important Dates for Fall 2026 Semester:

Application Deadline: Friday, July 17th. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and may close before the official deadline.

Mandatory Fall  2026 Orientation: Thursday, October 1st, 2026. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:          

The physical demands and work environment 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs and ladders, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An intern must also have the ability to travel by car and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals.   

• Interns are always supervised or overseen by approved Aquarium staff during their program but can benefit from demonstrating the ability to show initiative, work independently and as part of a team.


• Shift times will vary based on the department’s needs.


• This is an experience-based, PAID internship; with a substantial focus on fundamentals; giving you the foundation to become a successful animal trainer.


• There are limited opportunities for hands-on contact with dolphins and birds.


• Interns will get out of this internship what they put into it. Progression will be based on proficiency, work ethic, and attitude and will be catered to each individual.


• No jewelry will be allowed in animal areas. One athletic watch may be worn.             

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

Mission:  Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide. 

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation. 

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion.