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Volunteer Opportunities at ASDM
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!
Are you intrigued by owls, bewitched by ravens, entranced by hawks, and fascinated by falcons? Have you ever wanted to be a part of our unique birds of prey presentation? For more information, select 'Raptor Free Flight Handler, Animal Experiences' in the list below.
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.
- Approaching Guests (of all group sizes) and welcoming them to the Museum
- Directing Guests to the appropriate entry lines to keep things moving
- Suggesting that Guests become museum members
- Distributing maps and providing information on daily programing/upcoming events
- Assisting GS staff by retrieving wheelchairs
- Assisting GS staff by retrieving electric scooters and demonstrating their use to Guests
- Helping to answer or solve a variety of visitor questions or concerns
- Monitoring the exit gates and thanking Guests as they depart
- 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:
- 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:
- Thurs or Fri morning, Mon or Thurs afternoon
- Volunteer Description:
- The Raptor Free Flight program hosts one demonstration per day during the fall through spring seasons. The RFF collection consists of predatory birds native to the Sonoran Desert. The RFF demonstrations feature free-flighted birds in a desert setting (the birds are loose and are not presented on the glove). Volunteers assist with every aspect of the program, including husbandry, demonstration setup, and active participation in the demonstration- maintaining crating behaviors, doing glove calls and cueing birds to perches.
- Benefits:
- This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds of prey- their natural history, their behavior, proper handling techniques and what is needed to care for them in captivity. Raptor Free Flight volunteers will learn information about falconry, operant conditioning techniques and the philosophy of power of choice training. Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate. Volunteers in this position make a once a week commitment, from mid-September through mid-April (8:30am-12:30pm). Applicants must be able to crouch for a period of 45 minutes, stand upright quickly, run a mile, and lift/carry up to 40 pounds steadily. Applicants need to be comfortable volunteering outdoors in all weather conditions including rain and cold inclement conditions, as well as in wild desert surroundings: cactus, loose footing, wild snakes, scorpions, etc. For the safety of the animals - applicants must be able to think quickly in demanding situations, listen well and communicate decisions that relate to animal needs. Applicants should have a clear understanding of the boundaries of animal interactions. Applicants are asked to submit three references. Applications will be accepted through June & interviews will be scheduled in July and August. Once training has begun, there will be a four-week probationary period before the start of the season.
- Current Openings:
- positions available Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays - 8:30am-12:30pm
- Volunteer Description:
- Volunteers in this position help and support Security staff by walking around the Museum's grounds and providing guest services to those they encounter. Duties include (but are not limited to): helping guests find their way, explaining the grounds maps, assisting Security staff with security-related tasks, and assisting with daily animal programming.
- Benefits:
- This is a great outdoor opportunity that allows volunteers to enjoy the Museum while sharing their enthusiasm with guests from around the world. 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 6 month commitment, volunteering for 4 hours once a week. Applicants should be able to stand for periods of at least 45 minutes, be comfortable working outdoors, have good communication skills and be able to provide excellent customer service. Volunteers in this position are required to purchase an official volunteer t-shirt ($13).
- Current Openings:
- multiple days and shifts available
- Volunteer Description:
- Assists staff with TAP participant communications and helps with tortoise placement process. 1. Checks phones and emails on an assigned weekday 2. Replies to calls and emails from TAP participants 3. Completes Yard Inspections for TAP participants 4. Assists with coordinating tortoise placement Shift: 1 day a week Hours: Flexible Duration: Minimum 1 year commitment # of Volunteers in program: 7 regular ongoing, at least one alternate/substitute
- Benefits:
- Contribute to wildlife conservation while interacting with passionate members of the community who are interested in gaining more knowledge on tortoise care. Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Physical requirements: Be able to move around yards to inspect tortoise areas and use technology for virtual inspections. Skills/knowledge required: Must have access to phone and internet and have their own transportation. Background/Experience desired: None required, but knowledge of animals, especially tortoises, is a plus. Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate. Applicants should also be willing to learn basic tortoise husbandry and be able to relay that information to others via phone or email.
- Current Openings:
- Wednesday, Saturday
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.
