Volunteers
Volunteers are vital to the operation of all of our programs. Joining our team through our marine volunteer opportunities can make a meaningful contribution. From helping educate the public to assisting with daily responsibilities, we simply could not do it without volunteers.
Volunteer Benefits
There are many perks that go along with volunteering at Bay Ecotarium, including
- Ongoing professional training
- Individual Plus Aquarium membership (after 50 hours of service)
- First-hand look at behind-the-scenes operations
- 20% Aquarium gift shop discount
- Recognition, guest passes, and awards for hours served
- Volunteer appreciation events
- Satisfaction of knowing you are helping us in our mission to protect, conserve and inspire conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed, from the Sierra to the Sea.
Volunteer Requirements
Here you can find a list of open opportunities for volunteering at Aquarium of the Bay.
All volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation and commit to the role for a minimum of 6 months. For certain volunteer roles, there may also be physical and/or experience requirements. All animal care, water quality, and dive volunteers must be 18 years old.
Volunteer Welcome Usher
Position Description:
Assist with general flow of the Aquarium, including guest wayfinding and elevator operations. Ensure that guests are directed throughout the Aquarium and have a positive experience overall.
Qualifications:
Must be comfortable speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds. Fluency in a second language is a plus.
Requirements:
Must be at least 14 years old and comfortable standing/walking for long periods of time.
Commitment:
Must be able to work at least 20 hours a month split into 4-hour shifts (weekdays preferred). Must be able to commit to a volunteer period of at least 3 months.
Volunteer Diver
Position Description:
On SCUBA, assist with the underwater maintenance of aquarium exhibits, including underwater vacuuming and scrubbing. Other duties include setup and break-down of vacuum pumps, preparing food, performing broadcast feedings, and assisting with in-water sevengill shark target feeding
Qualifications:
Must be a certified SCUBA diver with a minimum of 10 logged dives and experience with cold water diving. Must also have a current dive physical, be first aid certified, and necessary dive equipment (wetsuit, booties, gloves, and mask).
Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old, able to lift at least 50 pounds, and in good physical condition. Must be comfortable underwater and around various aquarium animals, including rays and sharks. Must also pass in-water and written dive tests.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one eight-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
Animal Care Volunteer
Position Description:
Assist Animal Care staff with the maintenance of both aquatic and terrestrial exhibit animals. Duties include cleaning, health care, animal enrichment, food preparation, feeding, and record-keeping.
Qualifications:
Previous animal handling experience desirable but not mandatory.
Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old. Must be able to work with minimum supervision and be comfortable handling various animals including reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. Must be able to bend, lift up to 25 pounds, walk up and down stairs, and be tolerant of a wet work environment.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one eight-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
Volunteer Water Quality Technician
Position Description:
Assist Animal Care staff with water quality testing of exhibit tanks. Duties include gathering water samples, testing water parameters, data entry into a spreadsheet program, and the cleaning and maintenance of the Water Quality Lab. Work with or in proximity to various chemicals.
Qualifications:
Previous water quality and data-entry experience are desirable but not mandatory. However, must have an understanding of basic water quality parameters like pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrates. Basic training on water quality equipment will be provided.
Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old. Must be comfortable working with lab equipment and be able to work with minimum supervision.
Commitment:
Must be able to work one four-hour shift per week for a minimum of six months and commit to an initial training period of two months.
Adult Volunteer Docent
Are you passionate about protecting our San Francisco Bay? Would you like a chance to interact with the public and engage visitors in marine science? Become a docent and make a difference in bay conservation!
Position Description:
Docents are volunteers that engage with guests by sharing knowledge of our local marine animals and habitats here in the San Francisco Bay to actively promote the conservation mission of Bayecotarium.org.
Receive docent training and continuing education experiences in a team setting with a strong sense of community and mutual support within the Education team. Learn about our bay ecosystem, practice public speaking, work with people and animals, and best of all, get behind-the-scenes access to The Aquarium of the Bay! Opportunities to join regular shifts are available most days of the week.
Qualifications:
All levels of experience or inexperience are welcome to apply! Bay.org volunteers are required to pass a background check.
Commitment:
Docents are required to attend orientation and training and commit to at least 8-hours a month (recommended in 4-hour sessions) for at least 6-months.
If you are interested in joining our Docent team, email us at education@bayecotarium.org
Youth Volunteer Docent
Are you passionate about protecting our San Francisco Bay? Would you like a chance to interact with the public and engage visitors in marine science? Become a docent and make a difference in bay conservation!
Position Description:
Docents are volunteers that engage with guests by sharing knowledge of our local marine animals and habitats here in the San Francisco Bay to actively promote the conservation mission of Bayecotarium.org.
The Youth Docent Program connects teenagers (HS Sophomores to Seniors) to marine ecosystems and provides opportunities to learn about marine science and related careers from Science Engagement to Education and beyond.
Receive docent training and continuing education experiences in a team setting with a strong sense of community and mutual support within the Education team. Learn about our bay ecosystem, practice public speaking, work with people and animals, and best of all, get behind-the-scenes access to The Aquarium of the Bay! Opportunities to join regular shifts are available most days of the week.
Qualifications:
All levels of experience or inexperience are welcome to apply! (Bay.org volunteers ages 18 years or older are required to pass a background check.)
Commitment:
Docents are required to attend orientation and training and commit to at least 8-hours a month (recommended in 4-hour sessions) for at least 6-months.
If you are interested in joining our Docent team, email us at education@bayecotarium.org
Photography/Video Volunteer
Position Duties:
Take high-quality photos and videos of animals, events, education programs, and activities at the Aquarium. Edits photos or videos and shares them with Aquarium staff.
Qualifications:
Must have experience with photography and videography and have own camera with equipment suitable for high-resolution exhibit photography. Must have experience with editing software and own computer with internet access for editing and sharing images and photos.
Commitment:
Must be able to post photos and videos from home and participate in on-site marketing meetings as needed.
Electrical Consulting Volunteer
Position Duties:
Help develop Facilities and Life Support department staff’s working knowledge of electrical systems and safety procedures. Provide guidance on faultfinding, installation, and circuit testing. Oversee audit of current breaker panel loads and capacities. Help improve the Aquarium’s emergency generators’ power supply circuits during power outages. Modernization of Life Support systems and identification of potential energy savings. Implement preventative maintenance system.
Qualifications:
At least 7 years of proven expertise as an electrical engineer (degree not required, but preferred). Must have an understanding of electrical engineering codes and safety standards. Strong organizational and communication skills. Experience in providing training to students/apprentices preferred.
Commitment:
Flexible scheduling, must be able to stop by the Aquarium to assist team.
To Apply:
Please email hr@bayecotarium.org with the subject line “Volunteer Electrician – [Your Name]”. Please do not fill out the volunteer application.
For more information or sign up as a volunteer, please email Human Resources at hr@bayecotarium.org. No phone calls, please.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Check back frequently for upcoming volunteer events!
- Event Volunteer Opportunity at our annual Blue Marble Benefit – please email hr@bayecotarium.org if you are interested in volunteering at this event.
