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Careers

The animals are the focus at Shedd, but the staff is the aquarium’s most vital resource. Our experts work in every discipline, from animal care and health to accounting, audience research, conservation, development, exhibit planning and design, facilities maintenance, guest experience, marketing, public relations, sustainable practices and more. Find the right opportunity for you!

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At Shedd, You Can:

  • Make a difference every day—for animals, for conservation and for our guests.
  • Join a team-based culture, where partnership, collaboration and innovation are the standard.
  • Be part of worldwide leader in the museum and aquarium profession.
  • Discover your favorite animals or exhibits and share your passion.
  • Dr. Bill with a penguin chick in Shedd's hospital
  • A guest experience volunteer engages with guests in Shedd's special exhibit.
  • A group of young boys sit around a table littered with crayons and colored paper in Shedd's learning labs. They all wear matching green cap t-shirts, and are intent on their coloring. A learning facilitator in a yellow camp shirt leans over the middle of the table, helping one of them with his glueing.
  • Dr. Kentaro Inoue wades through a freshwater river.
  • A fabricator sands the arm of a large plaster frog

“At the end of the day, it's a wonderful feeling that by caring for and teaching people about these amazing animals, I have made a difference in the natural world, a difference we can all make together.”

Laura Brakhage, Marine Mammals Animal Care Specialist

Celebrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Just as the aquatic world encompasses a vast spectrum of diversity, Shedd Aquarium is committed to celebrating the individual differences that make us spectacular. We practice values of diversity, equity and inclusion comprehensively through Shedd culture, workforce, workplace, vendor selection, programs and experiences. 

It will take all of us working together to build a world thriving with aquatic life, sustained by people who love, understand and protect it.

Reasonable Accommodations

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [email protected].

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

Questions?

Send an email to our Human Resources department.