Virginia Beach Offers Supportive Educational Opportunities for Students

The Department of Agriculture is offering a $2,000 scholarship and the Virginia Aquarium is offering an opportunity for a paid fellowship.

The Virginia Aquarium’s Animal Care Batten Fellowship

The Virginia Aquarium is now accepting applications for an Animal Care Batten Fellow.

The Animal Care Fellow will be exposed to all aspects of care for the Aquarium’s Mammal and Animal Ambassador collections and will learn classical and operant conditioning techniques through positive reinforcement. They will develop knowledge of all aspects of animal husbandry, create a new enrichment device and conduct public programs among other experiences.

Duties will include conducting animal observations, recording animal behavior data, completing diet preparation, cleaning enclosures, habitats, food prep areas, etc., assisting with husbandry and animal handling as necessary; and participating in visitor engagement educational programs among other duties.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a rising junior or higher, a recent graduate (within five years), or currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in a related field.

Fellows will work 400 hours over a consecutive three-month period and are expected to be available 4 to 5 days per week, with shifts varying between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. during the summer. Weekend and holiday coverage is also expected. Fellows are responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit. This competitive position includes a modest compensation of $15 per hour to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the appointment period.

For full application requirements, visit virginiaaquarium.com and select “Animal care Batten Fellow”

Applications are due by March 1, 2023 and completed application packets should be sent to CHaley@VirginiaAquarium.com (CC: Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com) with the subject line, "Animal Care Fellowship.”

Bartley E. Tuthill Memorial Scholarship Program

The Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the Bartley E. Tuthill Memorial Scholarship Program. The purpose of the scholarship is to help support the education of a graduating high school senior or college undergraduate who is a resident of Virginia Beach and is interested in or studying technical fields associated with agriculture, natural resource conservation or environmental protection.

Individual applicants for the $2,000 award must be full-time students who are enrolled in or have applied to a college undergraduate-level curriculum.

Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply for scholarship consideration in the ensuing years.

For full application requirements and details, visit the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Scholarship Central site and search for "Bartley E. Tuthill Memorial Scholarship."

Completed Applications should be submitted to:
Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture
Attn: Jody Davis, Administrative Specialist II
2449 Princess Anne Road
Municipal Center, Bldg. 14, Room 224
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, May 5, 2023, by close of business.

For additional information or questions, contact the Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture at (757) 385-5775.