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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 Raptor Free Flight program hosts seasonal demonstrations during fall through spring seasons. The RFF collection consists of predatory birds native to the Sonoran Desert. The RFF demonstrations feature free-flighted birds in a desert setting (the birds are loose and are not presented on the glove). Volunteers assist with every aspect of the program, including husbandry, demonstration setup, and active participation in the demonstration- maintaining crating behaviors, doing glove calls and cueing birds to perches.
- Benefits:
- This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds of prey- their natural history, their behavior, proper handling techniques and what is needed to care for them in captivity. Raptor Free Flight volunteers will learn information about falconry, operant conditioning techniques and the philosophy of power of choice training. This is also a good opportunity to be of service, as The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit organization and Volunteers are critical to the success of the organization. In addition, 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 commitment, from mid-November through March (9:00am-1:00pm). Applicants must be able to crouch for an extended period, stand upright quickly, run short distances safely over rough, natural terrain, and lift/carry up to 40 pounds steadily. Applicants need to be comfortable volunteering outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, rain and cold inclement conditions, in wild desert surroundings, including cactus, loose footing, wild snakes, scorpions, etc. For the safety of applicants and the animals, applicants must be able to think and react quickly in demanding situations, multitask, listen well, and communicate decisions via radio that relate to animal needs. Applicants should have a clear understanding of the boundaries of animal interactions. 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. Additionally, applicants are asked to submit three references. Applications will only be accepted for a short time, and interviews will start being scheduled in the next few weeks. Following the initial interviews, selected applicants will be invited back for a “working interview”, which will include a demonstration of physical ability. Volunteers selected for this program will be required to complete six-weeks of training beginning the 1st week of October, which will include 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:
- 2 positions available - Thursdays or Fridays - 9:00am-1:00pm
- Volunteer Description:
- The Raptor Free Flight Narrator interprets the behavior of the raptors in the Raptor Free Flight program in real-time and speaks about the natural history, biology, and ecology of birds of prey and their relationship to the biomes within the Sonoran Desert. Narration is on microphone, addressing audiences of 20-500 visitors. In addition to narrating the live presentations, Narrators are expected to have a working knowledge of birds of prey and assist with audience questions after the demonstrations.
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Primary Tasks include but aren’t limited to:
- Narrate the 10:30am Raptor Free Flight Demonstration
- Learn the basic set up and operation of audio equipment
- Attend pre-season Narration Meeting
- Potentially fill in as a Narrator on short notice in the event that another Narrator is sick or unavailable to come in on their scheduled day
- Benefits:
- This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds of prey- their natural history, their behavior, proper handling techniques and what is needed to care for them in an AZA accredited institution. The Narrator is one of the most difficult and important positions in the Raptor Free Flight program. The Narrator is the secondary focal point and truly sets the ‘tone’ for the show. Trainers cannot perform the demonstrations and narrate simultaneously, so Narrators must augment the behavior of the birds by engaging the audience with an interesting, enthusiastic monologue. Training begins with the new Narrator shadowing narrators on a given day, listening to their narration, taking notes, and watching behaviors. A Narration Notebook will be provided to the successful candidate(s) with natural history information for all species flown in the demonstration. We supply this information because narrators must be able to pull from a deep pool of knowledge both to answer visitor questions and to supplement regular narration when birds go “off script.” Once comfortable with the material, new Narrators will begin narrating into a recording device. As the candidate becomes more comfortable with the material, he or she will begin narrating one bird’s routine during the live show. Once comfortable with one species, an additional species will be added. This is also a good opportunity to be of service, as The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit organization and Volunteers are critical to the success of the organization. In addition, 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 at least 18 years of age, have reliable transportation, and:
- Be able to stand up for up to 45 minutes without the need for a break in the typical Sonoran Desert weather, both extreme heat and cold
- Ability to confidently speak to a large crowd on microphone
- Enthusiasm in voice
- Ability to recognize and interpret bird behaviors and talk about them as they happen
- Ability to memorize the natural history of a minimum of 6 raptors native to the Sonoran Desert region
- Willingness to take constructive feedback and implement suggestions into narration
- Ability to keep up with the movement of the birds and cadence of the demonstration
- Ability to read Trainer cues to the Narrator, indicating when to move to the next piece of dialogue
- Willingness to attend extra training sessions/ meetings on occasion
- Current Openings:
- One (1) Position available to begin on Fridays - 9:30am-11:30am - Mid October, 2026, through early April, 2027, INCLUDING HOLIDAYS.
- Volunteer Description:
- Nursery Assistants in the Botany Department assist in the care of several plant propagation locations and nursery stock.
Essential tasks for Nursery Assistants include, but are not limited to:
- Watering
- Weeding
- Potting
- General assistance to Nursery Horticulturists
- Benefits:
- This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge about the propagation and care of Sonoran region flora and enjoy professional networking opportunities. Due to the nature of the position, volunteers in this role receive behind-the-scenes access, and get to experience the Museum in a way that few people do! Active status volunteers receive numerous benefits including complimentary membership and discounts for the duration of their service.
- Requirements:
- Preferred Qualifications: Physical requirements: Able to do manual labor, including using pick, shovel, wheelbarrow. Able to lift and carry 20-30 lbs. Able to do work on knees, and able to stoop, bend, and squat. Willing to work in all climates. Skills/knowledge required: Plant growing experience, preferably with cacti and succulents. Background/Experience desired: Irrigation systems, and general gardening skills. 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:
- Tuesdays - 8:00am - 12:00pm
- 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 Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-5:00pm
- 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 and strollers
- 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 all seasons. 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.).
- Current Openings:
- Various days/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
- Volunteer Description:
- The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) established the Tortoise Adoption Program (TAP) to benefit the welfare of captive and wild tortoises and turtles. The program is sanctioned by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and designed to assist with the transfer of unwanted or surplus captive desert tortoises to qualified private custodians. Volunteers in this role assist staff with TAP participant communications and help with the tortoise placement process.
- Checks phones and emails on an assigned day
- Replies to calls and emails from TAP participants
- Assists with coordinating tortoise placement
- If interested, helps with community tabling events
- Benefits:
- Contribute to wildlife conservation while interacting with passionate members of the community who are interested in gaining more knowledge about tortoise care. This Volunteer role offers the flexibility of working primarily from home at a time that works for your schedule. Great for resume building and career building experience. Active Status Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Skills/knowledge required: Applicants must have access to phone and internet and have their own transportation. Background/Experience desired: None required, but knowledge of animals, especially tortoises, is a plus. Other Requirements: Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate. Applicants should also be willing to learn basic tortoise husbandry and be able to relay that information to others via phone or email. 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:
- Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays (hours flexible)
- Volunteer Description:
- Volunteers in this position are stationed indoors in the beautiful Ironwood Gallery. Volunteers in this role act as a friendly and knowledgeable representatives of the Museum while monitoring the gallery exhibition space. Duties include (but are not limited to): reinforcing gallery rules, assisting with clerical tasks, organizing materials, answering phone calls, assisting with the sale of artwork and maintaining a clean exhibit space.
- Benefits:
- This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys being around creative, like-minded people. Art Institute volunteers have the chance to interact with museum guests from around the world; they also receive first-hand access to new gallery exhibits, featured artists and special Art Institute programing. If you're looking for a position that offers the flexibility to work on your own projects (in between gallery visitors), this is the environment for you! Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Applicants must be able to make a minimum 6-month commitment, volunteering 3 hours, once a week. Able to learn and retain the Desert Museum’s safety procedures and protocols, as well as position specific responsibilities and competencies. Applicants should be comfortable open to selling (or learning how to sell) artwork. A background check will be performed for any volunteer working with sales.
- Current Openings:
- Various shifts available; Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat
- Volunteer Description:
- Volunteers in this position help and support Security staff by walking around the Museum's grounds and providing guest services to those they encounter. Duties include (but are not limited to): helping guests find their way, explaining the grounds maps, assisting Security staff with security-related tasks, and assisting with daily animal programming.
- Benefits:
- This is a great outdoor opportunity that allows Volunteers to enjoy the Museum while sharing their enthusiasm with guests from around the world. Active Museum Volunteers enjoy benefits which include free memberships, discounts in the gift shops and restaurants, and Service Merit Awards.
- Requirements:
- Applicants must be able to make a minimum 6-month commitment, volunteering for 4.5 hours once a week. Applicants should be able to stand for periods of at least 45 minutes, navigate all of the Museum's paved and unpaved terrains, be comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions, have good communication skills, and be able to provide excellent customer service. All 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:
- Various days/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].
