Aquarist / Marine Science Educator Internship, Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

Description

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is hiring three Aquarist / Marine Science Educator Interns for a six-month internship in Panacea, Florida, with on-site housing and utilities provided, starting early September 2026 and ending around the end of February 2027.

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium is a nonprofit with a mission to educate the public about the ocean and create good stewards of marine ecosystems. The aquarium is open nearly every day of the year with thousands of gallons of saltwater displays featuring sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, octopus, and a large touch tank room. For over fifty years GSML has functioned as a biological supply to universities and aquariums for research and education and is one of the oldest sea turtle rehabilitation facilities in operation.

Interns rotate through all four areas of the operation: public aquarium, marine life educational tours, biological supply, and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. The role is on-the-job training for someone who agrees with the statement “if a task needs doing, it is in my job description.”

Responsibilities

• Clean aquarium displays, feed and treat organisms, fix plumbing issues, and help construct new displays.
• Cover gift shop and front office duties, ringing up purchases and answering phones for orders when the office manager is on break.
• Manage the aquarium’s social media accounts, create content, and post regularly.
• Lead one-, two-, and three-hour marine life educational tours of the aquarium, dock, and marsh; staff the traveling exhibit on select trips.
• Speak comfortably with the public and educate guests on Gulf marine life biodiversity.
• Join collecting boat trips to gather biological specimens; transport, acclimate, and pack organisms for shipment to universities and aquariums.
• Respond to sea turtle rescue calls, assist with treatments, gather measurement data, and feed and care for sick or injured turtles.
• Help with periodic special events, including marine life summer camps and themed aquarium events.

Requirements

• Graduate of a degree program in marine biology, marine conservation, marine aquarist studies, or a related field.
• High level of interest, with experience preferred, in marine life aquarium husbandry and teaching students of diverse ages and backgrounds.
• Excellent public speaking skills for audiences of various ages and abilities.
• Optimistic, can-do attitude.
• Willingness to clean aquariums and displays and keep the facility looking beautiful.
• Ability to work independently and in a team while foreseeing and quickly correcting problems.
• Ability to work well with others in a small organization where coworkers are also roommates.
• Ability to live and work well with people of various backgrounds in a small-team environment, separating personal issues from professional time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and various social media formats.

Additional Notes

• Three positions available for a six-month internship starting early September 2026.
• Housing provided on site next to the marine lab and across the street from the bay: a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment shared by the three interns, with kitchen, living room, and full bathroom.
• Utilities included: electric, water, and internet. On-site laundry available with intern’s own supplies.
• Panacea, Florida, sits in the Nature Coast, an undeveloped, biodiverse stretch of the Florida coastline.

How to Apply

Email a cover letter and resume to Tom Harrah at gulfspecimentom@hotmail.com.