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Volunteer Opportunities at ASDM
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!
Are you looking for a great opportunity to join a vibrant, local community of life-long learners, while simultaneously meeting and sharing information with Guests from around the world? For more information, select 'Docent' in the list below.
Volunteer Opportunities are available in the following areas:
- Volunteer Description:
- Docents are trained volunteers who engage Museum guests through the sharing of natural history and conservation stories to foster a better understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert region. Docents empower people to live in better harmony with the natural world. Docents are adults of all ages, walks of life, and educational backgrounds.
Docent responsibilities include:
- Providing excellent customer service to all guests, volunteers and employees.
- Facilitating rich and rewarding guest experiences by being friendly, approachable and helpful.
- Teaching guests, in an informal setting, about the Sonoran Desert and its peoples, plants, animals, geology and climate, and the interrelationships among them.
- Teaching about the role of zoos in conservation, and the Museum’s conservation work.
- Sparking engaging conversations that inspire guests to conservation action by conveying empathy and enthusiasm.
- Facilitating hands-on educational activities and games for guests of all ages.
- Sharing conservation messages and suggested actions.
- Engaging the public during on-site programs and events such as specialty tours, weddings, corporate events and Cool Summer Nights.
- Presenting live animals to museum guests (Docents must successfully complete at least one year in the program before they are eligible to work with live animals)
- Benefits:
- This is a great opportunity to join a vibrant, local community of life-long learners while simultaneously meeting Guests from around the world. Docents receive in-depth training in natural history and interpretation methods and are also provided access to continuing education opportunities. Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Volunteers in this position must be able to get to and from the Museum, as the Museum is unable to provide transportation, and there is no public transportation available. This position is best suited to those who are comfortable with public speaking, or have a desire to develop their public speaking skills, and for those who are interested in learning, and sharing what they learn, about nature and conservation with Museum guests. Successful applicants are friendly, adaptable, comfortable interacting with diverse groups of people, comfortable interacting with children, excited to introduce people to the wonders of the natural world, and able to learn and remember the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols. Applicants should be aware that the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum contains approximately two miles of outdoor trails with uneven terrain and wild animals. Docents must be able to move around the Museum and they may also be exposed to heat, cold, wind, rain, and sun for long periods of time. Docents may also encounter free-roaming venomous animals during their shifts. Applicants must be able to attend the first cycle of trainings happening on each Saturday in October (October 5, 12, 19 and 26) and at least one additional cycle of trainings in 2025. More information about Docent Training, including the specific dates and times of all classes, can be found on the Docent Website: https://www.desertmuseum.org/center/edu/docents.php
- Current Openings:
- Multiple shifts are available for every day of the week.
If a position aligns with your interests and availability, please fill out the following form:
Volunteer Application Form
If you're having trouble accessing the online application, please print this application form (PDF) and mail it to Volunteer & Internship Programs Coordinator (Mike Walker) at: 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to call the Volunteer & Internship Programs Coordinator (Mike Walker) at: 520-883-3082 or at mwalker@desertmuseum.org.
