Volunteer Opportunities at ASDM
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!
Volunteer Opportunities are available in the following areas:
- Volunteer Description:
- Volunteers in this position assist keepers with the daily care of animals in the Warden Aquarium. Duties include (but are not limited to): changing tank waters, preparing gallons of saltwater, washing gravel, scrubbing rock work, wiping down walls and display windows, preparing animal diets, feeding animals, recording water quality tests, creating and implementing animal enrichment and assisting with special projects as needed.
- Benefits:
- This is a unique opportunity to volunteer in a hands-on environment with aquatic animals that are native to the Sonoran Desert. Great for resume building and career building experience. Active Status Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits that include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Applicants must be able to make a 12-month commitment, volunteering once a week for 4 hours at a time. Applicants should have the ability to bend, kneel and balance while doing a variety of tasks. Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate, able to work both independently and with people of diverse backgrounds. All Desert Museum Volunteers must be able to learn and retain the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies.
- Current Openings:
- Sunday mornings, 7:00am - 11:00pm
- Volunteer Description:
- Nursery Assistants in the Botany Department assist in the care of several plant propagation locations and nursery stock.
Essential tasks for Nursery Assistants include, but are not limited to:
- Watering
- Weeding
- Potting
- General assistance to Nursery Horticulturists
- Benefits:
- This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge about the propagation and care of Sonoran region flora and enjoy professional networking opportunities. Due to the nature of the position, volunteers in this role receive behind-the-scenes access, and get to experience the Museum in a way that few people do! Active status volunteers receive numerous benefits including complimentary membership and discounts for the duration of their service.
- Requirements:
- Preferred Qualifications: Physical requirements: Able to do manual labor, including using pick, shovel, wheelbarrow. Able to lift and carry 20-30 lbs. Able to do work on knees, and able to stoop, bend, and squat. Willing to work in all climates. Skills/knowledge required: Plant growing experience, preferably with cacti and succulents. Background/Experience desired: Irrigation systems, and general gardening skills. All Desert Museum Volunteers must be able to learn and retain the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies.
- Current Openings:
- Monday or Tuesday mornings - 7:30am - 11:30am
- 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 minimum 6-month commitment, volunteering 3 hours, once a week. Able to learn and retain the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies. 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:
- Sat: 10:00am-1:00pm, Sun:1:00pm to 4:00pm, On-Call/Sub.
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.