WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve this, we harness the power of our Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations, in all of the world’s oceans, and at our five wildlife parks in New York City – Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium – visited by 4 million people annually. We combine our expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve our conservation mission.

WCS Education is a pioneer in zoo-based learning, inspiring over 1.5 million people each year across New York City. Since 1929, we have been at the forefront of science education, fostering the next generation of conservation advocates by creating meaningful connections to wildlife and nature. We provide innovative, high-quality learning experiences that empower individuals to care for and protect the natural world.

The Education Department at the New York Aquarium is seeking energetic individuals with an interest in the interpretation of environmental sciences and animals, superior customer service skills, acting and singing skills, and a desire to educate about wildlife.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking talented performers to work in a part-time capacity as a valued member of the Education Department at the New York Aquarium.  You will reach thousands of visitors by delivering animal-specific narrations, performing short theater shows, delivering tours, assisting at the public touch pool, and supporting the Aquatheater Sea Lion Celebrations, all of which are designed to connect Aquarium visitors to wildlife, wild places, and our mission to save them. You will help them learn about science and conservation through fun, high-energy interactions. This is a great opportunity for those seeking performance, interpretation and communication-focused opportunities in an Aquarium setting. Shows, narrations, tours and presentations will occur 6-10 times per day.

Pay Rate: $21.00 per hour; returning performers are eligible for a higher hourly rate, which increases based on years of service, up to a maximum of three years.
Reports To: Manager of Live Interpretation
Schedule: March through the end of October 2025

• March – June: training days on weekdays, work opportunities on weekends and school holidays
• July – August: Work opportunities 7 days a week. Staff will work minimum 3-4 days a week, with the ability to work up to 5. Weekends and holiday availability will be required.
• September – November: work opportunities on weekends and school holidays with weekday rehearsals in October
• Typical shift length varies between 5-7.5 hours, rehearsals vary between 4-7 hours.
• All staff will retain a set rotation of days during summer months
• Holiday and weekend availability is required.
• All staff must be available on June 7-8, June 14-15, June 21, July 4, July 11-14, September 1, October 11-13, 18-19, 25-26.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform the Sea Lion Celebration narration for up to 1500 aquarium visitors at a time, working closely with the animal care team, and trained sea lions.
• Provide pre-program entertainment for onsite animal experiences.
• Deliver talks on a microphone for up to 300 aquarium visitors at a time in front of animal exhibits.
• Lead specialized, behind-the-scenes tours for visitors, including the facilitation of a touch experience at our small shark touch pool.
• Perform short plays, songs and puppet shows for audiences in semi-outdoor spaces.
• Engage visitors and manage lines at the public, invertebrate touch pool.
• Engage with other live interpretation initiatives, which include assisting with special events, informal interpretation, puppet roaming and collecting signatures as a part of public awareness campaigns.
• Provide frontline customer service to visitors and offer assistance with wayfinding.
• Learn and implement interpretation best-practices to help visitors make connections between exhibits, wildlife conservation and their daily lives.

• Lead and assist with parades through the Aquarium and onto the Coney Island Boardwalk.
• Manage sound equipment and run sound cues for exhibit and stage programming.
• Set up and take down stage and sound elements throughout the day.
• Maintain sound equipment, props, costumes, puppets, and other materials.
• Work with various animal care teams, Business Services departments, and other Education department staff to ensure programming is high quality, effective, and safe.

WORKPLACE CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

• We ensure that everyone has an opportunity to fully contribute to our mission of saving wildlife and wild places around the world.
• You must have the ability to lift up to 20 lbs over your head, stand unassisted and speak for long periods of time, work outside in variable weather conditions, engage with visitors in noisy environments, and spend some time in the sun.
• As a highly-visible front line staff member, you may be video and/or audio recorded, photographed or otherwise documented by aquarium guests or the Wildlife Conservation, and your image may appear in WCS-related media
• You will be required to work most weekends and holidays, with few exceptions, throughout the employment period. Conflicts must be announced at the time of hiring.
• You must have availability for the full employment period to be considered for this position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Interested candidates should at minimum be working towards an undergraduate degree, or be part of an acting conservatory program, and should have a strong interest and/or background in theater, communications, animal sciences and/or education.
• OR have graduated from improv training programs (like UCB or The Pit).
• OR have 2 years experience as an actor/performer.
• OR have presented live interpretive programs at a cultural organization.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• You are comfortable working outside in different weather conditions.
• You are reliable, flexible and accountable.
• You are comfortable improvising and adjusting to changing circumstances.
• You are a solid singer and comfortable picking up choreography.
• You have enthusiastic presentation skills.
• You have excellent customer service skills, and are friendly and outgoing.
• You have fast memorization skills and the ability to learn music from recordings.
• You have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• You have a positive performance style.
• Multilingualism is a plus.
• Puppetry skills are a plus.
• You have worked with children and/or the public in formal or informal performance environments.

PERKS

• Parking at the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium with a staff permit.
• Access for employees to visit WCS Zoos & Aquarium on days off with their staff ID.
• Courtesy guest tickets after 45 days of employment in good standing to visit WCS Zoos & Aquarium.
• Employee discounts on food, merchandise, and programs.

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