Volunteer Job Descriptions

EXHIBITS INTERPRETER (year-round)

Help make our simulated tide pool and adjacent interpretive station come alive for our visitors by demonstrating the animals coping strategies for life in a harsh environment. Additional duties include: interpreting animal camouflage in our Art of Deception exhibit and presenting activities for understanding climate change in our Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge exhibit.
Training: Attend two 4-hour mandatory training courses.

INFORMATION CENTER VOLUNTEER (year-round)

Welcome visitors, provide an orientation to the facility, answer questions and distribute literature on aquarium programs.
Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course and/or on-the-job training.

AQUARIUM EXPLORATIONS TEAM INSTRUCTOR (October through June)

Facilitate Aquarium Guided Explorations (AGX) using interpretive activities, exploration, observation and worksheets. Work with chaperones, teachers and fellow volunteers in a team environment to complete educational tasks.
Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course and/or on-the-job training.

DISCOVERY LAB ASSISTANT (October through June)

Assist aquarium instructors in the classroom with hands-on classes covering a variety of marine topics including tide pools, fish diversity, and kelp forests.
Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course and/or on-the-job training.

EDUCATION ASSISTANT (year-round)

Assist instructors with on-site and off-site educational activities, including birthday parties, outreach classes and field programs.
Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course and/or on-the-job training

WHALE WATCHING VOLUNTEER (December through March)

Assist with interpretation of whale artifacts and sightings on naturalist-guided whale-watching tours leaving twice daily from downtown San Diego.
Training: Attend mandatory training course the first week of December.

Advanced Volunteer Jobs

AQUARIST ASSISTANT (year-round)

Assist aquarists by cleaning and maintaining tanks, monitoring water and air conditions, preparing food, feeding, and shore collecting. Due to the responsibilities involved in helping our husbandry staff care for our animals, aquarist assistants must work a consistent 4-hour shift on a weekly basis.
Training: Previous experience is preferred, but additional training is provided on the job.

DOCENT AMBASSADOR (year-round)

Serve in a lead capacity for interpretive volunteers and interns through mentoring, training, and serving as Shift Captains as requested by staff; develop and present interpretive talks and tours; be highly visible to the public in order to answer questions and convey information in an interpretive manner throughout the facility; give interpretive presentations during feedings including Kelp Tank Dive shows; and assist with evening special events.Training: Attend mandatory 32-hour training course and regular meetings.

Who can I contact?

Volunteer Department
858-822-4934
Email: volunteers@siomail.ucsd.edu

Currently a volunteer at the Birch Aquarium? Log in HERE.