Volunteer at Birch Aquarium

Help visitors from around the world discover the wonders of the ocean. Inspire conservation and showcase the groundbreaking research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

Annually, more than 300 volunteers guide visitors through exhibits, answer questions, and work behind the scenes. From students and working adults to retired professionals, Birch Aquarium seeks a variety of expertise from volunteers of all backgrounds.

Commitment

All positions require attendance at a new volunteer orientation (offered quarterly) and a minimum six-month commitment of at least three to four 4-hour shifts per month.We do not have any short-term or single-day volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Roles

Exhibits Interpreter (year-round)

Help make our simulated tide pool and adjacent interpretive station come alive for our visitors by demonstrating coping strategies for life in a harsh environment.

Training: Attend one 4-hour mandatory training course.

Information Center Volunteer (year-round)

Welcome visitors, provide an orientation to the facility, answer questions and distribute literature on aquarium programs.

Training: On-the-job training.

Aquarium Explorations Team Instructor (October through June)

Facilitate Aquarium Explorations (AX) 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 2-hour orientation course and/or on-the-job training.

Discovery Lab Assistant (October through June)

Assist aquarium instructors in the classroom with hands-on curriculum covering a variety of marine topics including tide pools, fish diversity and kelp forests.

Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course.

Education Assistant (year-round) POSITION FULL

Assist instructors with onsite and offsite educational activities, including birthday parties, outreach classes and field programs.

Training: Attend one 4-hour orientation course.

ADVANCED VOLUNTEER JOBS

* Volunteers must start in another area first.

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.
Volunteers only available on the weekends will have a longer wait than those available on the weekdays.

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.
Volunteers must work as an Exhibits Interpreter for 4-6 months prior to docent training. Docent training is offered periodically.

Whale Watching Volunteer (December through March) POSITION FULL

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.

Kelp Tank Diver (year-round)

This position is limited. Contact Ocean Enterprises at 858-565-6054 or at sales@oceanenterprises.com for more information. We do not recruit divers directly.

Who can I contact?

Volunteer Department
858-822-4934
Email us!

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