Volunteering at the California Academy of Sciences

Apply to be an Academy volunteer today!

Welcome, prospective volunteers!

The Volunteer Services department provides a connection between the diverse Bay Area community and our museum, research, and administration. All volunteers are part of the greater Academy community as we work to explore, explain, and sustain life on Earth. We look for volunteers with a collaborative spirit, who work well and respectfully with others.

All volunteers must be 18 or older. Volunteer needs fluctuate throughout the year.

Coming Soon: New Volunteer Docent Classes!

A docent shows young visitors some specimens in jars.

Do you love to engage people about the natural sciences? The Academy's docents use an informal and conversational approach with guests to spark curiosity, inspire action, and foster an interest in continued scientific discovery. Docents are trained in theory and best practices of informal engagement, taught fundamental scientific principles and Academy initiatives, and receive training in Specialty Areas.

The docent program requires its volunteers to work three, 3.5-hour shifts per month during a minimum six-month commitment.

Our upcoming docent Specialty Area classes:

"Easy Being Green": At the California Academy of Sciences, our Rainforests of the World exhibit offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the wonders of these unique and life-sustaining eco-systems. The Academy is currently recruiting weekday volunteer docents to inspire our guests as they roam our recently refreshed Rainforest, Flooded Amazon Tunnel, and the Living Roof. Training consists of 40 hours of online and in-person training that prepares you to engage guests in informal conversations around Rainforest sustainability, and sharing stories about the intriguing plants and animals that call the Rainforest home.

In-Person Training Dates:

Saturdays- September 29 and October 6 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Mondays- October 10, 17, and 24 from 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Please complete the volunteer application and select docent under interests if you'd like to learn more.

Explore our current opportunities!

students write on worksheets in a museum classroom

School Programs Internship

This training program is designed to provide an in-depth, hands-on experience for people interested in pursuing a career in informal education. Participants will work alongside our Student Education team to learn about the different facets of school programs in a museum.

Applicants must be available at least two weekdays per week (Monday-Thursday) from 8:30am-2:00pm from end of August–December and/or January–May.

Position Description

The Academy during a fancy night time event.

Special Events Volunteer

Not your typical Saturday night out! Learn to engage with guests and how to easily share science conversations and stories with them at all types of private evening parties and events. Special Events guests are often first time guests. Helping them explore the wonder of our natural world is often the first step in inspiring them to make small changes that further the Academy’s mission to sustain life on our planet. Share hope for the planet and have fun as a Special Events volunteer.

Position Description

I woman helps a young visitor with a craft project

Family Programs Volunteer

Would you like to act like a kid again? Flying paper airplanes, building forts... sound like fun?If so, we invite you to play like a kid again and help us facilitate family programs for our youngest guests. Family Programs Volunteers will be working with children under 5 years old primarily, so enjoying working with children is highly encouraged. Shifts are two and a half hours (days of the week can vary).

Position Description

Orienteer

Join the Academy’s guest experience team! Meet, greet, and guide Academy visitors as a roving concierge, helping visitors to make the best use of their time by providing impromptu itineraries and helpful suggestions. We ask for a commitment of only 4 hours each month making Orienteering the Academy’s most flexible volunteer program!

Position Description

A volunteer holds up a jar full of preserved specimens.

Research Collections Volunteer

Help Academy collections managers prepare and maintain scientific collections in our research departments. Individual duties are diverse—mount plants, classify bones, re-bottle specimens, document collections, and more—but all volunteers are immersed in the principles and techniques of modern scientific-collections management. Our collections include: Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate Zoology & Geology, or Ornithology & Mammalogy.

A view of the living roof covered in green grass.

Landscaping Volunteer

Enjoy being outside and working with plants? Join us in becoming an integral part of beautifying our iconic living roof and botanic gardens. Our volunteer teams are a great way to expand your knowledge of California native plants and horticulture in a friendly group environment. Enthusiasm is all that is required as we provide ongoing training opportunities!

Position Description

Data Entry and Administrative Volunteer

Looking for a project-based volunteer opportunity? Have Excel experience, a strong attention to detail, and an easy demeanor? The Academy is looking to develop a corps of volunteers we can contact as needed to complete various administrative tasks. Throughout the year our needs fluctuate, but there’s always work to be done behind the scenes to support our world-class museum and research.

A butterfly rests on a leaf inside the rainforest dome.

Aquarium and Rainforest Volunteer

Work with our Steinhart Aquarium staff, the team responsible for the nearly 40,000 animals that make their home at the Academy. Aquarium volunteers learn how assist with the care of a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial animals (and their environments) by testing water quality, checking on animal health, and even flexing those horticultural skills.

A diver gives a presentation from inside the aquarium tank

Volunteer Aquarium Diver

Plunge into stunningly beautiful environments while feeding fish and keeping tanks sparkling clean. Interested divers may also be trained to deliver dive presentations in our Philippine Coral Reef tank.Program requirements: