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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:
- The Desert Museum has joined forces with regional partners to help build a more resilient food future. As part of the Arizona Alliance for Climate-Smart Food, the Desert Museum is working with farmers to identify crops that are well suited to the desert. The Climate-Smart Foods Volunteers assist with propagation and grow-outs of desert crops like agave, prickly pear, desert legumes. Crops will be propagated at the Desert Museum nurseries and grown out at the University of Arizona Campus Agricultural Center:
https://taac.arizona.edu/CAC
To learn more about the Arizona Alliance for Climate-Smart Food visit:
https://www.goodfoodfinderaz.com/climate-smart-alliance
Primary tasks include, but aren’t limited to:
- Potting, pruning, watering in Desert Museum nursery spaces
- Planting, pruning, harvesting grow-out fields at the Campus Agriculture Center
- Processing, storing, and documenting seeds for seed saving
- Collecting data from propagation and field trials
- General assistance to the Climate-Smart Foods program
- Benefits:
- This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge of the propagation and care of desert food plants and their relatives while participating in conservation and research related to Climate Smart agriculture in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert. This is also an excellent chance to provide impactful community service, as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit organization and Volunteers are critical to the success of the organization. Additionally, active Museum Volunteers also enjoy Museum 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 one day a week (flexible, but Tuesdays and/or Fridays preferred); four hours per shift commitment, and should be able to commit to volunteering for a minimum of six months. Applicants should have an interest in conservation and/or agriculture (plant growing experience is preferred, but not necessary). Applicants should have ample manual dexterity and be comfortable performing manual labor, including using pick, shovel, hoe, and wheelbarrow. Applicants should be able to lift and carry 40 lbs. over uneven terrain, work on their knees, and be able to stoop, bend, and squat. Applicants must be willing to work outdoors in summer heat and winter cold. Specific vision requirements for the tasks in this position include the ability to see near, including working with small objects, distance, and peripheral vision. All Desert Museum Volunteers must be able to learn and follow the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies. Volunteers selected for this program will be required to complete a four-week probationary period. All volunteer positions are at-will and can be ended at any time by either party with or without cause or notice.
- Current Openings:
- One day per week, 4hrs per day (flexible, but Tuesdays or Fridays preferred), 5:00-6:00am start (summer), 7:00-8:00am start (fall-spring)
- Volunteer Description:
- The Desert Museum's Resilient Food System Program is developing knowledge and resources to build a more resilient food future. The Desert Museum is working with farmers to identify crops that are well suited to the desert, such as agave, prickly pear and mesquite, trial climate smart practices, and raise consumer awareness. It is also documenting and conserving the important wild plants of the Sonoran Desert that are related to domesticated crops, so-called crop wild relatives. Desert crops and crop wild relatives are an important hedge against the effects of climate change. They can provide low-maintenance food supplies for local producers as well as genetic material to adapt agriculture to a hotter and drier future. The Desert Foods Conservation Volunteers assist with a variety of office and computer tasks related to the conservation and research of desert crops and crop wild relatives. Primary tasks include, but aren’t limited to:
- Data entry and management
- Literature reviews of desert crops and crop wild relatives
- Development of outreach materials related to desert foods programming
- Other tasks that support desert foods conservation and research activities
- Benefits:
- This is a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge of important desert food plants and their relatives while participating in conservation and research related to Climate Smart agriculture in Arizona and the Sonoran Desert. This is also an excellent chance to provide impactful community service, as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit organization and Volunteers are critical to the success of the organization. Additionally, active Museum Volunteers also enjoy Museum 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 one day a week; four hours per shift commitment, with remote options available, and should be able to commit to volunteering for a minimum of six months. Applicants should have an interest in conservation and/or agriculture, should be detail-oriented and highly organized, and should be outgoing and personable in their interactions with others. Applicants should have ample manual dexterity and be comfortable using a computer (knowledge of database software, internet, and word processing software including Google workspaces, i.e. Google Sheets, Google Docs). The tasks involved in this position require the visual ability to read small print, and the audible ability to listen to phone calls and recordings. All Desert Museum Volunteers must be able to learn and follow the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies. Volunteers selected for this program will be required to complete a four-week probationary period. All volunteer positions are at-will and can be ended at any time by either party with or without cause or notice.
- Current Openings:
- One day per week (flexible), 8:00am to 12:00noon
- Volunteer Description:
- The primary role of the Education Volunteer/School Greeter is to act as a liaison to schools and youth groups visiting the Museum by providing information and assistance specific to their visit, while maintaining excellent customer service. Potential future opportunities include assisting with our kid camps and community outreach programs.
Essential Tasks for School Greeters include, but are not limited to:
- Welcome group and review rules and behavior expectations
- Collect paperwork from school/youth group leader (if needed)
- Direct school/youth group leader to admission window
- When applicable, provide chaperones with wristbands, tracking guides, and maps of the Museum
- Instruct group re. entering and exiting the Museum, meal schedule, etc.
- Coordinate and facilitate lunch times and the use of the picnic ramada
- Help maintain ramada area during its use
- Provide instructions for Theater program and Stingray exhibit if applicable
- Check-in on school/youth groups throughout their visit and provide assistance if needed
- Report any emergencies or behavior issues
- Benefits:
- This is a fun way to share your passion for the Sonoran Desert by facilitating educational experiences for future conservationists! 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. Applicants should have the ability to navigate the Museum grounds in all types of weather conditions. Must be able to communicate effectively to provide instructions by using guest friendly language. Must be able to provide exceptional customer service to guests and staff members. Preference will be given to applicants who are enthusiastic to volunteer with youth of all ages. Applicants are asked to provide two references, and must be able to pass a multi-state background check. 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-Friday, 8:00am-2:00pm (days and times vary based on group reservations, but individual scheduling is flexible)
- 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:
- 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. 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
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 [email protected].
