Volunteer Roles

Aquarium Guides

Our largest group of volunteers (over 500 people!) work as Aquarium Guides. They answer questions about everything within the Aquarium, interpret exhibits for our visitors, and staff hands-on stations like the Touch Pool and the Kelp Lab. Aquarium Guides not only know all the best stories about Monterey Bay, they know how to make visitors' faces light up with discovery!

Our 12-week Apprentice Guide program is a great way to "get your feet wet" and see if guiding is for you. Apprentice Guides take a six-day training course, then work with a mentor Guide. Many Apprentice Guides choose to take the more in-depth guide training course (held once each year) to become full-fledged Guides. The Apprentice Guide training is held twice a year. This opportunity is open to individuals 18 years and older.

Information Desk volunteers

"What should we see first?" Information Desk volunteers meet and greet visitors from around the world, making suggestions—and getting big smiles—in several languages.

Clerical Volunteers

Whether it's filing, data entry, assisting with memberships and mailings or filling a multitude of special needs, clerical volunteers help keep the Aquarium running around the clock.

Student Guide Program

Exciting changes are coming! We're redesigning the Student Guide Program to provide richer and more diverse offerings for our high school volunteers. As a result we won't be accepting new applications until spring 2011. If you'd like more information about enrolling in the program visit this web page in the fall of 2010 for program details and an application. We're sure the new program will be worth the wait!

Animal Care, Exhibit Diving, & More

Our Husbandry Operations department, Sea Otter Research and Conservation program, Tuna Research and Conservation Center and other programs recruit volunteers on an as-needed basis. If you'd like to volunteer your animal-care or scuba skills, contact us to find out about opportunities. Note: you must be at least 18 years old.