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Internship Opportunities at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Thank you for your interest in interning with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Desert Museum is a zoo, botanic garden, natural history museum and art gallery that offers unpaid internships throughout the year. Below, you will find a list of available internships; please select the internship posting to view more details. These can be done for credit in coordination with your college or university.
If an internship aligns with your interests, availability and academic goals, please fill out and submit an internship application, as well as submitting a cover letter and resumé to the Volunteer Coordinator either by uploading with your application, by email [email protected] or by mail (2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson AZ, 85743). If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call 520-883-3082.
If you don’t see an opportunity that interests you on the internship page, please review our regular volunteer opportunities. Some volunteer positions can be modified to fit the requirements of an internship. Please indicate the volunteer job that most interests you on your internship application.
Current Internships
- Internship Description:
- The Summer Camp Intern supports the Desert Museum Education staff in delivering exceptional Desert Museum Camps. The goal of Desert Museum Camps is to foster a sense of belonging through sparking interest in science and the outdoors, creating fun and tangible learning opportunities, and building community and self-awareness. This is achieved through nature explorations, hands-on activities and experiments, interactive games, crafts, reflection activities, and encouraging personal growth and mindfulness.
- Internship Schedule:
- Interns will work with campers in grades 1–6. Camp schedules vary by program and may begin as early as 8:00 a.m. and end as late as 5:00 p.m. each day. Summer Camp weeks are as follows:
- Camp Staff training: May 21-22 & May 28-29
- Session 1: June 1-5
- Session 2: June 8 – 12
- Session 3: June 22-25
- Session 4: July 6 – 10
- Session 5: July 13 – 17
- Internship Duties (including but not limited to):
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- Ensuring camper safety and well-being
- Assisting with the preparation and organization of camp materials
- Supporting camp activities such as crafts, games, and museum exploration
- Aiding in behavior management and positive group dynamics
- Interacting with campers in and outside the classroom
- Cultivating a welcoming, inclusive space for all
- Helping with setup, cleanup, and daily camp operations
- Requirements:
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- Interest in education, environmental science, conservation biology, or related fields
- Experience working with youth in camps, classrooms, or outdoor settings
- Enthusiasm for nature, science, and hands-on learning
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to remain flexible and positive in a dynamic environment
- Comfortable spending periods outdoors in the Tucson summer heat
- Physical requirements include standing, walking, sitting, bending, and lifting up to 20 lbs.
- Applicants must be able to pass a Multi-Jurisdictional Background Check
- Benefits:
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- Gain experience teaching conservation and nature science to youth
- Build skills in lesson facilitation, play-based learning, and age-appropriate science communication.
- Work within AZA standards for education, safety, and animal welfare—excellent for future careers in zoos, museums, or environmental education.
- Develop leadership, public speaking, and group management abilities in a dynamic camp setting
- Contribute to mission-driven conservation education and help inspire young children to connect with nature.
- Collaborate with professional educators
- Internship Description:
- Interns in this position complete a natural history of the Sonoran Desert training that has an emphasis on establishing interpretive, animal care, customer service and leadership skills. Interns perform tasks related to the interpretation of the Museum's Stingray Touch exhibit and - while helping to ensure positive guest experiences - they provide guidance and support for their stingray team members. This is an unpaid position and there is no housing provided. For school credit, check with your advisor regarding the requirements of your college.
- Internship Schedule:
- Interns should have flexible schedules to accommodate an 8-12 hour week (depending on school requirements). Stingray Care Interns make a 10-12 week commitment (also depending on school requirements), during the following terms: Fall (September - December) Spring (January - May) Summer (June - August) Shifts are concurrent with seasonal exhibit hours
- Internship Duties (including but not limited to):
- Facilitating team member check-in Assisting with tasks, related to stingray care responsibilities (please visit the volunteer page to view more information about this position) Organizing stations and rotations at exhibit Providing guidance to guests before they enter the exhibit Assist with basic stingray husbandry (i.e., logging observations, AM diet prep) Relieving team members for breaks Assure the safety of both the stingrays and guests at all times Stingray pool-related tasks Assist with enrichment activities Develop an internship project Other tasks may be assigned
- Requirements:
- Applicants must be at least 18yoa and currently enrolled in a college or university (or have graduated in the last year) and have at least one year of study in a related field. Applicants should have a friendly, outgoing personality and an eagerness to demonstrate positive leadership skills to assist with coaching fellow teammates. Applicants must be willing to endure (shaded) outdoor conditions throughout the year. Standing for long periods of time is an aspect of this position.
- Benefits:
- This is a unique internship opportunity that provides the tools towards developing leadership skills while gaining hands-on experience with marine animals at an AZA accredited facility. Stingray Care Interns get the chance to expand upon their speaking skills and animal care experience while gaining knowledge of species related to the Gulf of California.
