How do I clean the tanks at SeaWorld?

Question

I wan to find out how i can get a job cleaning the animal tanks at seaworld. The tanks for the marine animals that will involve scuba diving. I know they have people that do that at seaworld but i have no clue as to how they get these people to do these jobs. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

I'm doing research on dolphins at Brookfield Zoo, near Chicago, and I can confirm that you'll need to be an animal trainer with scuba certification to do this professionally. If you're looking to clean tanks as a part-time job, I think you might be out of luck.

Assuming you do want to do this professionally, here's the plan of action I'd recommend:

--Start volunteering at SeaWorld. I'm sure it's very competitive, but it doesn't hurt to try. There might be other places nearby where animals are being kept--try volunteering there to build up your resume.

--If you're not in college yet, apply to a top research institution and get a BA or BS in Biology, Comparative Development, Engineering, Statistics, Chemistry, or Mathematics. Some of those might sound surprising, but they will make you an in-demand person in the field (trust me!).

--While in college, do research with the leaders of the field at your school. In science, doing research is even more important than the grades you get in your classes.

--Every spring, apply for a competitive internship at a zoo, such as this one:

http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/pagegen/pre...

It'll be tough, but follow this plan and you'll be swimming with dolphins in no time. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Could be the trainers, could be someone else. I'm not sure, I think it's most likely the trainers.  I'd like to know the answer when you find out though.  ;-p

You should try contacting Sea World.

http://www.seaworld.org/contact-us/index...

[e-mail]

http://www.theswig.com/contact.htm

You could also try an aquarium, like Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's not Sea World, but they'll have a similar job and it might be easier to get than Sea World.

Good Luck.

***EDIT***

I was watch a show called The Zoo, about life at the Auckland Zoo. In the episode today two keepers were getting trained to clean tank at an aquarium for the zoo's new Sea Lion exhibit.

Answer 3

You don't get a job cleaning tanks, you get a job as a trainer and the trainer cleans the tanks along with taking care of the animals etc.  So, unless you want to be a trainer, no such luck.

On the other hand, some zoos and aquariums have volunteer diving programs.  Most notable, the NY aquarium has one.  However, these programs are very popular and they only accept individuals with lots of experience and advanced diving certification.  Despite all my work with animals (including marine mammals), working at the aquarium for 6 years and an advanced diver's certification, i do not have enough diving experience to qualify for NY Aquarium's diving program.  And did I mention, you also have to bring your own equipment.