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 'Education - 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 a mandatory orientation training on January 10 2026, the following trainings in January (January 17, 24, and 31), and at least one additional cycle of trainings in 2026/2027. More information about Docent Training, including the specific dates and times of 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.
- Volunteer Description:
- The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Gift Shops are proud to offer a wide range of retail items, including cactus (yes, really!), toys, books, housewares, apparel, and more! We feature arts and crafts from local and regional artisans, with a strong emphasis on jewelry and pottery. The primary role of the Gift Shop Volunteer Floor Assistant is to circulate throughout the shop, interacting with guests, keeping displays neat and tidy, and assisting staff in the daily operation of the gift shops as needed.
Our volunteers are an integral part of our operation and are trained and supervised by managers and staff, within a people-oriented, ever-changing environment. This is a non-cash handling position. Tasks for Gift Shop Volunteer Floor Assistants include but are not limited to assisting Retail Staff with the following:
- Warmly greeting guests and offering assistance or directions as needed
- Dusting and restocking shelves and maintaining the cleanliness of the shops
- Promoting positive customer relations
- Demonstrating respect and sensitivity to cultural/social differences in all interactions
- Displaying an outgoing and friendly personality, and enjoying interactions with guests
- Possessing the ability to adapt to a changing environment
- Demonstrating understanding of Gift Shop and relevant Museum policies
- Assuming additional responsibilities as needed
- Benefits:
- This is a great opportunity to support Staff in maintaining the Desert Museum’s gift shops for guest enjoyment, interact with visitors from around the world, and learn more about the Sonoran Desert’s art, culture, and natural history in an indoor, climate-controlled environment. 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. Physical requirements include the ability to bend, kneel, reach, and balance while doing a variety of tasks, including lifting up to 20lbs 20% of the time; Standing or walking 80% of the time . Applicants are asked to provide two references, and must be able to pass a multi-state background check. This position requires Volunteers who have the ability to work cooperatively with others in a sometimes fast-paced social environment. Having a positive attitude is very important, and Volunteers in this role must be able to communicate effectively and present a pleasant and welcoming demeanor with guests. Must be able to provide exceptional customer service to guests and staff members. Retail and customer service experience is helpful, but not required. 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:
- Shifts available Fridays through Mondays, 10:00am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-5:00pm Occasionally, evening shifts are available to assist with special events.
- 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. Able to learn and retain the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies.
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:
- Packrat Playhouse 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, be comfortable with customer service, create welcoming environments, be able to navigate the Museum's various terrains and have the ability to work with families and children in a non-traditional educational setting. 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. Applicants should have a positive and upbeat attitude.
- Current Openings:
- Various 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.
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 applicants must also be able and 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 protocols. Applicants should have a clear understanding of the boundaries related to animal interactions. 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. Year-round availability welcome but not necessary.
- 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.