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Volunteer Openings
Updated: Friday, August 15, 2008
These are the current volunteer openings. To apply, please complete and send our online form or call our Volunteer Resources Department (831) 648-4867.
Closing Dates: Unless specified in the position announcement, we don't close a position until it has been filled. You may apply for the position until it is filled.
Aquarium Guide
Apprentice Guide
Apprentice Guides interpret various galleries and special exhibits as part of a volunteer guide shift helping where and when they're assigned throughout the aquarium.
Guides must be able to stand at various exhibit locations for a complete three to four hour shift each week. Also must be able to handle animals with hands in and out of cold water for up to 30 minutes per station assignment and be able to communicate effectively in noisy and crowded conditions.
Information meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 or Tuesday, September 16 from 7 - 9 pm in our Guide Training Center. Complete an on-line application or call our office (831-648-4867) with contact information and we will send an information packet.
Requirements
Length of Time Commitment
Attendance at one of our informational meetings is a pre-requisite to acceptance into the program. After acceptance, attendance at six evenings of training is also required.
Benefits
Student Guide
Applicants should have an eagerness to learn about the natural history of Monterey Bay, marine life and an interest in working with the public and other volunteers. Students work alongside our Aquarium Guides showing visitors how to handle the animals at hands-on exhibits; lead visitors to discoveries about local marine habitats and their inhabitants; and answer questions and give directions.
Our next opportunity for the student guide program will be in 2009. The student guide informational meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 9 am to noon at the Aquarium. Complete an on-line application or call our office (831-648-4867) with contact information and we will send an information packet as soon as it is available (end of 2008).
Requirements
Applicants must be 14 to 17 years of age (student must be 14 by June 30, 2009 and entering 9th grade in September, 2009); be able to stand at various exhibits during shift, lasting up to five hours; be able to keep hands in cold water up to 30 minutes at a time; be able to communicate effectively in noisy and crowded conditions; be able to handle animals/algae; and be able to assist during emergency conditions by following the aquarium's emergency procedures.
Length of Time Commitment
Attendance at the informational meeting at the Aquarium (Saturday, February 21, 2009) is a pre-requisite to acceptance into the program. Minimum commitment includes attendance at a one-week training session (training sessions are held in mid-June); and at least 4 hours per week on a guide shift during the course of the program (program dates are mid-June through the end of July).
Benefits
Husbandry
Penguin Exhibit
Assist Husbandry staff with cleaning, feeding and exhibit maintenance of the penguin display in the Splash Zone exhibit. Assist with all tasks required to care for the penguins and the exhibit including: food preparation, feeding penguins, scrubbing and cleaning floors and rockwork, observations and record keeping.
Must have a strong interest in working with penguins and must be tolerant of "dirty work,” guano and the occasional bird bite. Prior bird handling experience a plus but not required. Must be able to climb around the exhibit, stoop, bend and lift.
Requirements
Length of Time Commitment
Minimum one year (12 months) commitment (with option to continue) following completed probation of 4 shifts. One 2½ hour shift per week. Shifts are 9 am - 11 am each week.
Benefits
Aviary Exhibit
Assist Husbandry staff with cleaning, feeding and exhibit maintenance of Aviary Exhibit. Assist with all tasks required to care for the birds and exhibit including: food preparation, feeding (including live food, cleaning the exhibit, bird room(s),cages, mats, windows and siphoning.
Must have strong interest in working with birds. Conditions may be hectic and tasks are physical. Must be able to climb around exhibit, stoop, bend and lift.
Requirements
Length of Time Commitment
One year (12 months) commitment. Shifts are 2 hours (8 am - 11 am) each week.
Benefits
Sea Otter Research & Conservation Program Field Observer
Volunteer field observers, also known as trackers, assist Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) staff in radio tracking and monitoring of otters along our coastline. Otters are located and observed with the use of both radio telemetry equipment and Questar telescopes. Otters are observed and followed for several hours at a time, while behavior, foraging and location data is recorded with the use of Palm Pilots. Local residents and tourists often stop and ask about the work being done and SORAC team members get the chance to interact and explain the program.
Requirements
Must be able to work outdoors under varying weather conditions for up to 5 hours at a time and able to carry bulky, heavy equipment (up to 50 lbs) over rocky coastline areas. Physical demands also include sitting or standing for long periods of time in one place, bending, climbing, lifting, and looking through telescope/binoculars. Need legible handwriting and must be able to read small print.
Must have: * Well developed observational skills * Good communication skills * Good hearing to detect sounds of radio signal when tracking otter * Some knowledge of sea otter behaviors * Ability to identify invertebrate prey items * Dependable transportation a must * Valid California driver's license * Tetanus vaccination must be current (documentation will be requested) * Ability to follow directions and work independently when needed
Length of Time Commitment
One year commitment is required following successful completion of the SORAC Training Course (12 hours). Weekly shifts are 5 hours each.
Benefits
Standard volunteer benefits include discounts and family passes. Opportunity to learn sea otter biology, ecology, conservation and to participate in other projects in the field.
Sea Otter Research & Conservation Program Otter Care
Otter care volunteers assist Sea Otter Research and Conservation (SORAC) staff with the care-for-release of abandoned, ill or injured sea otters; from pups to adults. Activities include cleaning and maintenance of indoor and outdoor holding pools, siphoning and netting debris; food preparation, formula preparation, laundry, cleaning of all work areas, basic computer entry of animal data, responding to stranding calls and assisting with medical procedures as necessary.
Requirements
Must be able to work indoors and outdoors in cold wet environment, sometimes in low light or dark areas. Must be able to climb stairs, climb into/out of holding pools and must be able to carry and lift up to 50 lbs. as necessary.
Must have: * Well developed observational skills * Good communication skills * Valid California driver's license * Tetanus vaccination must be current (documentation will be requested) * Must be able to perform ongoing physical work including repetitive bending, lifting and climbing * Ability to work with chemicals such as disinfectant bleach, Virkon S and sodium thiosulfate
Length of Time Commitment
Benefits
River Otter Volunteer
Assist Husbandry staff in the Wild About Otters temporary exhibit. Duties include cleaning, feeding and exhibit maintenance. Assist with all tasks required to care for the river otters and exhibit including: food preparation, feeding the animals, cleaning of the exhibit, behind the scenes enclosures and getting the exhibit ready for our visitors.
Must have a strong interest in working with and learning about river otters. Must be able to climb around exhibit, stoop, bend and lift.
Requirements
Length of Time Commitment
Shifts are 8:30 am - 12:00 pm each week.
Benefits
Information Desk
Information Desk
If you have lived in the Monterey area for at least one year and enjoy helping people find what they need both inside the Aquarium and in the community, volunteering at the Information Desk might be for you. And, it's fun!
