Volunteer Opportunities at ASDM

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!

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Volunteer Opportunities are available in the following areas:

Volunteer Description:
Volunteers in this position are stationed around the front patio and they support Guest Services staff by approaching museum Guests and welcoming them in a friendly manner. Volunteers in this position are also the Museum’s first impression for Guests and they are essential when it comes to creating a welcoming and informative museum experience.

  1. Approaching Guests (of all group sizes) and welcoming them to the Museum
  2. Directing Guests to the appropriate entry lines to keep things moving
  3. Suggesting that Guests become museum members
  4. Distributing maps and providing information on daily programing/upcoming events
  5. Assisting GS staff by retrieving wheelchairs
  6. Assisting GS staff by retrieving electric scooters and demonstrating their use to Guests
  7. Helping to answer or solve a variety of visitor questions or concerns
  8. Monitoring the exit gates and thanking Guests as they depart
  9. Collecting Lost & Found items and giving them to GS staff
Benefits:
This is a great opportunity to meet Guests from around the world, while sharing your passion for the Sonoran Desert region. Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
Requirements:
Physical requirements: Applicants must be able to maneuver around the front patio areas and be comfortable working in winter cold and summer heat.

Skills/knowledge required: Applicants must demonstrate excellent customer service skills and be comfortable interacting with a diverse population of Guests (i.e.: age, race, gender, etc.).

Other Requirements: Volunteers in this position must be available to attend a one hour training session for each year they volunteer.

Current Openings:
Various days and shifts available
Volunteer Description:
Exhibit Greeters welcome guests to an immersive play-based exhibit. Greeters will orient visitors, provide instructions, answer questions, and provide customer service. Greeters will assist with safety protocols and occasional interpretation. The position is indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Primary Specific Tasks: 1) Welcome groups of visitors to the Playhouse 2) Follow safety protocols and help direct positive behavior 3) Provide customer service 4) Encourage visitors to learn how they can live in harmony with the desert 5) Opportunities to interpret southwest ecology, primarily as it pertains to packrats
Benefits:
Packrat Playhouse Greeters gain experience working with children of all age groups, grow their confidence and public speaking abilities, and gain experience working in an immersive learning exhibit. Active status volunteers receive numerous benefits including complimentary membership and discounts for the duration of their service.
Requirements:
Applicants should have a passion for working with people. Comfortable with customer service, creating welcoming environments, and working with families and children in a non-traditional educational setting. Applicants should have a positive and upbeat attitude.
Current Openings:
Various days and shifts available
Volunteer Description:
Volunteers in this position are stationed indoors in the beautiful Ironwood Gallery. Volunteers in this role act as a friendly and knowledgeable representatives of the Museum while monitoring the gallery exhibition space. Duties include (but are not limited to): reinforcing gallery rules, assisting with clerical tasks, organizing materials, answering phone calls, assisting with the sale of artwork and maintaining a clean exhibit space.
Benefits:
This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys being around creative, like-minded people. Art Institute volunteers have the chance to interact with museum guests from around the world; they also receive first-hand access to new gallery exhibits, featured artists and special Art Institute programing. If you're looking for a position that offers the flexibility to work on your own projects (in between gallery visitors), this is the environment for you! Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
Requirements:
Applicants must be able to make a 3-6 month commitment, volunteering 3 hours, once a week. Applicants should be comfortable and be open to selling (or learning how to sell) artwork. A background check will be performed for any volunteer working with sales.
Current Openings:
multiple days and shifts available
Volunteer Description:
Volunteers in this position are assigned but not limited to support of the Stingray Touch Exhibit. Volunteers are support for the animal Keeper staff. Additionally, volunteers in this role will engage and guide guests with instructions, guidelines, interpretation and animal contact. This includes the guest feeding experience and other husbandry-related tasks and activities. Shifts run (am) 8:30-12:45, and (pm) 12:15-4:15

Primary Specific Tasks:

  • Assist HIIZ Keeper staff
  • Assist with basic stingray husbandry (i.e., logging observations, etc.)
  • Interact with Museum visitors
  • Help facilitate guest entry and guest services while at the stingray exhibit
  • Assure the safety of both the stingrays and guests at all times
  • Stingray pool-related tasks
  • Assist with enrichment activities
  • Other tasks may be assigned
Benefits:
This is a unique opportunity to volunteer with stingrays at an AZA accredited, world-class institution. Volunteers receive the opportunity to expand upon their public speaking skills while gaining hands-on experience. Great for resume building and career building experience. Active status volunteers receive numerous benefits including complimentary membership and discounts for the duration of their service.
Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, must have the ability to bend, kneel and balance while doing a variety of tasks; they must also be comfortable lifting up to 25 lbs. Applicants should be comfortable helping outdoors throughout the year and have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a complex and busy social environment. Having a positive attitude is very important, and must be willing to follow directions. Preference will be shown to applicants who can demonstrate good general communication skills. For the safety of the animals, applicants must be able to think quickly in demanding situations while adhering to HIIZ department protocol. Applicants should have a clear understanding of the boundaries related to animal interactions. Year-round availability helpful and welcome.
Current Openings:
multiple days and shifts available

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.

Volgistics Link for current volunteers
Docent Schedule for current Docents
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