Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in volunteer at the California Science Center. We are currently seeking volunteers for
-
Guest Services Host
-
Air & Space Hosts
-
Divers (SCUBA - Rescue level)
-
ExploraStore
-
Education Floor Presenters
-
Youth Volunteers (screening for Spring starts in December)
Please check back for more Volunteer Opportunities.
Volunteer Office
Phone: 213-744-2124
Fax: 213-744-2673
[email protected]
We offer a wide range of opportunities to match nearly any interest, whether your preference is helping visitors to explore our exhibits, diving or caring for our animals.
Special Exhibition Volunteers
Special Exhibit volunteers serve as host for the run of the special exhibit. As a Guest Services volunteer you will greet and direct guest, assist inside the exhibit, and educate guest about the Science of the show through an interactive exhibit. We are seeking enthusiastic individuals with excellent communication skills.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for the run of the exhibit. Training provided.
Guest Services Air & Space Host Volunteers
Guest Services Air and Space Host Volunteers will comprise the Guest Services Air and Space Volunteer Program and serve in the Sketch Air and Space Gallery, the California Story exhibit and in the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion. Volunteers will welcome guests and provide them with information and facts about displayed air and space artifacts, including Space Shuttle Endeavour. They will engage guests and be readily available to provide assistance and answer questions.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a minimum of 6 months.
Air & Space Host Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Guest Services
Reports to: Guest Services Management Team
Time Commitment: Four hours per week for a six month period.
Summary of Position:
Air and Space Volunteers welcome guests, provide information and facts about displayed air and space artifacts, including space shuttle Endeavour. Volunteers engage guests and are readily available to provide assistance and answer questions. Volunteers serve in the SKETCH Air & Space Gallery, Endeavour Together Gallery, and the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver high quality, guest friendly service.
- Comfortable memorizing and presenting material.
- Remain polite, courteous and helpful at all times.
- Provide accurate information about current and upcoming Science Center and IMAX Theater offerings as released.
- Assist with exhibit line queuing.
- Communicate guest issues or operational concerns to Volunteer Lead or any available Guest Services Supervisor in timely manner.
- Must be reliable and possess the ability and willingness to greet guests in a friendly, professional manner.
- Exercise active listening skills and positive body language through smiling, sustaining eye contact, keeping good posture and speaking clearly with guests.
- Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Strong public speaking skills.
- Excellent communications skills, demonstrate superior articulation.
- Must be comfortable and exhibit enthusiasm relating to school children and guests.
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service.
- Must attend Guest Services Training and area-specific required trainings.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others.
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
- Bilingual fluency is a plus.
Certified Diver Volunteers
Certified Diver Volunteers assist staff with the daily maintenance of our 188,000 gallon kelp tank, feed aquatic exhibit animals and participating in dive shows for guests. The required pre-requisites include a minimum level of Rescue Diver certification from a nationally recognized scuba certification training agency, proof of at least 50 logged dives, current certifications in CPR/FA/O2/AED, the ability to pass a confined water swim and scuba evaluation, and the ability to pass a dive medical examination.
Dive certifications are required before you apply. All associated costs to be incurred by prospective volunteer. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Must commit to serving an average of 16 hours per month, or a minimum of 48 hours per quarter for a 1 year period.
Certified Diver Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Living Collections
Reports to: Dive Safety Officer, Assistant Dive Safety Officer, Volunteer Coordinator
Time Commitment: 2 shifts per month on average, or a minimum of 6 shifts per quarter for at least 1 year.
Summary of Position:
The Living Collections Dive Volunteer will assist in the daily diving operations of the Living Collections department. Duties will involve a variety of tasks and responsibilities including, but not limited to feeding exhibit animals, cleaning and maintaining the exhibits, public dive show presentations, filling scuba cylinders, cleaning and maintaining the institutions diving equipment, participating in required trainings, and following the diving standards that are set forth in the California Science Center Foundation’s Diving Safety Manual. Due to the nature of the work, qualified candidates will possess the experience and skills necessary to complete daily tasks in a safe and healthful manner.
Responsibilities:
- Must be 18 years of age
- Must have reached the Rescue Diver certification level of training from a nationally recognized scuba training agency
- Must have a minimum of 50 dives logged
- Must provide proof of current CPR/FA/O2/AED certifications
- Must be able to commit to an average of 2 shifts per month (full day shifts of 8 hours), or a minimum of 6 shifts per quarter for at least 1 year
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs.
- Ability to pass the confined water swim and scuba evaluation
- Ability to pass a diving medical examination in accordance with Cal-OSHA standards for diving
- Must meet approval of Dive Safety Officer and Dive Control board.
- Must demonstrate an appropriate and positive manner of behavior and communication skills with all persons at all times, including guests, staff, vendors, and other volunteers.
- Must be willing to work in environments that may be characterized by the following: wet surfaces and walkways, elevated platforms, vertical ladders, stairs, small boats, extended bottom times in warm and cold water, diving in open ocean conditions, working around high pressure air and oxygen cylinders, and hazardous marine life
Qualifications:
- Follow strict safety guidelines set forth by the Dive Safety Officer.
- Help maintain the California Science Center’s Kelp Tank (daily cleaning).
- Assist in the preparation of diets and feeding of animal collection and feed fish in the Kelp Tank.
- Participate in dive shows for guests, sometimes on microphone.
- Assist in the cleaning of on and off exhibit areas and equipment.
- Help staff observe and record behavior of animals.
- Assist in the training and behavioral enrichment of living collections.
- Record all dives accurately and diligently in accordance with AAUS and CSCF guidelines.
- Clean and maintain all dive gear.
- Assist with other routine duties in the Living Collections department as needed and assigned.
This job description is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).
Discovery Room Volunteers
Discovery Room Volunteers assist staff in providing interactive activities for children 7 and younger accompanied by their parents/teachers. Activities include crafts, storytelling, interaction with small animals and creative play. Each activity is designed to introduce young children to age-appropriate science themes that mirror the themes carried out in the main exhibit galleries.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a minimum of 6 months.
Discovery Room Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Guest Services
Reports to: Volunteer Education Coordinator and Early Childhood Coordinator
Summary of Position:
Discovery Room Volunteer supports the rooms’ purpose of inspiring and supporting children age seven and under (accompanied by adults) with interactive activities. Each activity is designed to introduce children to age appropriate science themes through hands-on science exploration and discovery.
Responsibilities:
- Interact with children and families to encourage hands-on exploration and science learning.
- Deliver Science Station content to all guests.
- Report all materials, equipment, cleaning, and safety needs to Early Childhood Coordinator.
- Develop an ongoing awareness regarding the various locations of exhibits in order to provide immediate and accurate information to guests.
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Contact Supervisor as needed for support
- Effectively problem-solve issues to maintain safety and guest satisfaction.
- Work cooperatively with staff and other volunteers.
- Performs other duties as required.
- Able to rotate stations during volunteer shift.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Comfortable with public speaking.
- Must be comfortable engaging guests 7 years and younger.
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service.
- Must attend all required trainings.
- Must be professional and communicate well with others.
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
- Comfortable interacting with animals.
- Bilingual fluency a plus.
Greeter Host Volunteers
Greeter Host Volunteers welcomes guest and provides assistance to the information desk by answering guest questions, giving directions and helping guest plan their day. Position requires excellent oral communication skills and customer service skills. Mandatory Core Training is provided.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a 6 month period.
Education Presenter – Floor Program Volunteers
Floor Program Volunteers present Ecosystems educational programs, interactive workshops and demonstrations for school groups and the general public. Assist with conveying the science phenomena presented in the exhibit galleries to guests of all ages with education carts. Background in marine life science/technology, experience handling animals and teaching experience are a plus. Position requires excellent oral communication skills. Mandatory Core Training is provided.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a 6 month period.
Education Science LIVE! Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Education
Reports to: Education Volunteer Coordinator
Summary of Position:
The Science LIVE! Presenter Volunteer is responsible for delivering high-quality, interactive science education programs to school groups and the general public visiting the California Science Center. These presentations include interpreting of live animals. The Volunteer Presenter assists with setting up materials and equipment in various galleries of the California Science Center. The Volunteer Presenter spends almost 100% of the time delivering educational presentations.
Responsibilities:
- Presents educational programs for large groups in the California Science Center on a daily basis
- Tracks guest attendance numbers and surveys for all programming
- Presents interactive workshops and demonstrations for additional programs such as Summer Camp and other special events
- Assists with training new volunteers and interns with education programs
- Adherences to all policies and procedures including attendance policies and uniform guidelines
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Background in Science and Technology a plus.
- Experience in teaching or working in a museum, informal educational or classroom setting
- Excellent oral communication skills
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences
- Excellent customer service skills and team player
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time
- Ability to volunteer 4 hour shift per week for 6 months
- Bilingual fluency in Spanish a plus
ExploraStore Volunteers
ExploraStore Volunteers demonstrate unique gift items, and provide customer assistance to guests visiting our spectacular gift center, the ExploraStore or in the concession area of the IMAX Theater.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a minimum of 6 months.
ExploraStore Sales Associate Volunteer View Details
Department: Retail Operations
Reports to: Retail Operations Supervisory and Management Staff
Summary of Position:
Volunteers, deliver exceptional customer service as the frontline interface between Retail Operations (ExploraStore, Endeavour Store, Satellite Stores, IMAX Concession Stand) and guests. To perform the essential job functions of this position, Volunteers must be friendly, outgoing and upbeat while they greet, wait on, serve guest. They provide insightful knowledge about the products and services offered within all Retail Operations areas. Volunteers also assist with the processing and pricing of product shipments, as well as the preparation and stocking.
Responsibilities:
As members of the Retail Operations team, every Volunteers are expected to be proficient and available to work in all areas managed by the Retail Operations Department. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Politely greet and assist guests.
- Provide friendly service to ensure the delivery of a high quality positive memorable experience to all California Science Center guests.
- Patrol and monitor guest traffic flow in the sales areas in order to provide excellent service, reduce shrinkage and ensure a safe and pleasant shopping environment.
- Study and learn about the products and services offered within the Retail Operations Department in order to provide knowledgeable information to our guests.
- Maintain merchandise displays while stocking-out product from the stockroom to the sales floor fixtures.
- Clean and maintain departmental common areas that include, but are not limited to: (a) picking up fallen products and debris from the sales areas and stockrooms, (b) clean and dust merchandise, fixtures and equipment, (c) clean glass shelving and windows, (d) vacuum and spot clean carpet, etc.
- Arrive for your shift on time the days you’re scheduled to work to ensure adequate operations and customer service.
- Perform other duties as required.
Volunteers are responsible for performing all duties in a safe, accurate, effective and professional manner within the guidelines established by the Supervisory and Management Team.
Qualifications:
- Must possess good communication and customer service skills.
- Honest, energetic, hardworking, reliable, detail-oriented with good basic problem solving skills.
- Friendly outgoing personality with strong organizational, interpersonal skills with an ability to relate to persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodations: ability to lift and carry boxes weighing up to 40 pounds and climb ladders as needed.
- Ability to adhere to workplace schedule; by maintaining an exceptional attendance and punctuality record.
Foundation Assistant Volunteer View Details
Department: Assigned Department
Reports to: Department Management
Time Commitment: Volunteers are typically needed Monday – Friday. Four hours per week for a six month period.
Summary of Position:
Foundation Assistant volunteers support the California Science Center. Volunteers also work on short-term special projects.
Responsibilities:
- Filing, research, scanning and various other office duties.
- Contact staff as needed for support.
- Work cooperatively with staff
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must comply with department confidentiality guidelines.
- Excellent organization skills.
- Ability to follow directions.
- Ability to use Microsoft Word document and Microsoft Excel.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others.
- Adherences to all policies and procedures including attendance policies and attire guidelines.
- Work independently.
- Attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills and team player.
- Effective interpersonal skills.
- Assist with office tasks and perform other duties as required.
Guest Services Host Volunteers
Guest Services Host Volunteers serve as frontline resources for our guests, providing assistance in several areas of the facility including the IMAX Theater and exhibits areas. Mandatory Core Training is provided.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a minimum of 6 months.
Guest Services Gallery Host Position Description View Details
Department: Guest Services
Reports to: Guest Services Management Team
Time Commitment: Four hours per week for a six month period.
Summary of Position:
Gallery Host Volunteers provide outstanding customer service while completing a variety of tasks and responsibilities, ranging from engaging guests with our exhibits galleries to helping them understand scientific concepts.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver high-quality, guest-friendly service.
- Remain polite, courteous, and helpful at all times.
- Provide accurate information about current and upcoming Science Center and IMAX Theater offerings as released.
- Exercise active listening skills and positive body language through smiling, sustaining eye contact, keeping good posture, and speaking clearly with guests, staff and volunteers.
- Circulate among museum visitors in assigned gallery to readily answer guest questions and alert staff of safety hazards.
- Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers.
- Communicate guest issues or operational concerns to nearest staff host or available Guest Services Supervisor in timely manner.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Excellent communications skills, or desire to demonstrate superior articulation.
- Must be comfortable and exhibit enthusiasm relating to school children and guests.
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service.
- Must attend Guest Services Training and area-specific required trainings.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others.
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
- Bilingual fluency is a plus.
Guest Services IMAX Host Position Description View Details
Department: Guest Services
Reports to: Guest Services Management Team
Time Commitment: Four hours per week for a six month period.
Summary of Position:
IMAX Volunteers welcome guests, answer questions, and provide assistance in several areas of the IMAX Building, including the lobby, theater, and equipment cleaning room. Volunteers work under the direction of the IMAX Lead, and duties may include a variety of tasks and responsibilities, ranging from assisting guests to cleaning and organizing equipment.
Responsibilities:
- Welcome Science Center guests.
- Deliver high-quality, guest-friendly service.
- Provide accurate information about current and upcoming Science Center films and exhibits.
- Anticipate guest needs and direct them to exhibits or locations of interest.
- Assist with line control/crowd control.
- Develop ongoing awareness regarding the various locations of exhibits, show schedules, show content, and ticket/coupon policies in order to provide immediate and accurate information to guests.
- Remain polite, courteous and helpful at all times.
- Exercise active listening skills and positive body language through smiling, sustaining eye contact, keeping good posture, and speaking clearly with guests, staff and volunteers.
- Communicate guest issues or operational concerns to nearest staff host or available Guest Services Supervisor in timely manner.
- Effectively problem-solve, issues to maintain safety and guest satisfaction.
- Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers.
- Perform other duties as required.
- IMAX duties include:
- Distribute and collect theatre glasses.
- Help clean theatre after each film.
- Assist with lines outside theatre before films.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service.
- Excellent communications skills, or desire to demonstrate superior articulation.
- Must be comfortable and exhibit enthusiasm relating to school children and guests.
- Must attend Guest Services Training and area-specific required trainings.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others.
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
- Bilingual fluency is a plus.
Husbandry Volunteers
Husbandry Volunteers work behind the scenes to support our fish, reptile, and amphibian collections. Assist with diet preparation, feeding, observation of animal behavior and general exhibit maintenance. Must be willing to get wet and dirty; previous animal handling experience is a plus. Mandatory Core Training is provided.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must commit to serving 4 hours/week for a 6 month period. Typical shifts are Monday-Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Aquatics Husbandry Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Living Collections - Aquatics Husbandry
Reports to: Living Collections Aquatic Team and the Living Collections Volunteer Coordinator.
Summary of Position:
The husbandry aquatics volunteer helps with maintenance of behind the scenes work areas, floor exhibit areas and the touch tank. Volunteers assist with diet preparation, feeding, observation of animal behavior and general exhibit maintenance. Duties may include a variety of tasks and responsibilities ranging from general cleaning and maintenance of the aquatic exhibits and equipment, to getting hands on experience working directly with our aquatic staff.
Responsibilities:
- Work cooperatively with the aquatics staff and other volunteers to achieve the highest level of animal care, productivity and efficiency while engaging in a positive work experience.
- With the supervision of the staff perform daily cleaning routine duties for the aquatic systems such as cleaning acrylic, scrubbing rocks and walls, changing or cleaning mechanical filters, hydro-vacing the substrate, and water changes.
- With the supervision of the staff, perform daily routine duties for the aquatic animals such as food prep and feeding, and monitoring behaviors and interactions with the other inhabitants of the aquatic system.
- Ensure safety of visitors and Living Collections by properly cleaning up the aquatic areas prior to opening of the California Science Center.
- Provide exceptional guest service to all Science Center visitors.
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be willing to commit to 4 hours/week for at least 6 months.
- Experience in biology, marine science, natural science, life science or animal science preferred.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others..
- Should be willing to do physical activity for normal cleaning routines.
- Should be willing to get wet and dirty.
- Should be willing to work in cramped spaces, on a ladder, or outside for extended periods of time in all seasons of the year.
- Must be highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional animal care.
- Must be trustworthy, have excellent communication skills, be willing to ask questions before acting and have a general global awareness of health and safety of our animals.
- Be reliable, punctual, and committed to their volunteer shifts.
- Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
Terrestrial Husbandry Volunteer Position Description View Details
Department: Living Collections - Terrestrial Husbandry
Reports to: Living Collections Terrestrial Team and the Living Collections Volunteer Coordinator.
Summary of Position:
The husbandry terrestrial volunteer will work behind the scenes to ensure proper animal care, and work closely with the keeper staff. Volunteers assist with diet preparation, feeding, observation of animal behavior and general exhibit maintenance. Duties may include a variety of tasks and responsibilities ranging from general cleaning to servicing animal exhibits to getting hands on experience working directly with our terrestrial animals and their enclosures.
Responsibilities:
- Work cooperatively with the terrestrial staff and other volunteers to achieve the highest level of animal care and efficiency while engaging in a positive work experience.
- With the supervision of the staff perform daily routine duties for the terrestrial enclosures such as cleaning enclosures, monitoring environmental parameters and reporting any changes, sanitizing dishes and tools, and preparing various enrichment for the animals in our collections.
- With the supervision of the staff perform daily routine duties for the terrestrial animals such as food prep and feeding, and behavior monitoring.
- Provide exceptional guest service to all Science Center visitors.
- Performs other duties as required and specific to the volunteer’s skill level.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be willing to commit to 4 hours/week for at least 6 months.
- Experience in biology, zoology, natural science, life science or animal science preferred.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others..
- Should be willing to do physical activity for normal cleaning routines.
- Should be comfortable working around live insects, and strong odors (ie Rot Room).
- Should be comfortable bending and kneeling for extended periods of time.
- The enthusiasm and passion for exhibit animals or an interest in continuing education in the field is a plus.
- Must be trustworthy, have excellent communication skills, be willing to ask questions before acting and have a general global awareness of health and safety of our animals.
- Be reliable, punctual, and committed to their volunteer shifts.
- Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
Youth Volunteers & VolunTEENs
Designed for high school students seeking to complete community service hours. Volunteer in one of two departments, Education or Guest Services.
Education Youth volunteers work provides presentations to the guest visiting the California Science Center
Guest Services Youth volunteers assistance in the galleries, IMAX Theater and as a Greeter.
Must be at least 16 years of age. Commitment of 4 hours once a week for 3 months / 50 hours.
Currently accepting applications for Spring 2025.
Complete Youth Application below.
Guest Service Youth Host Position Description View Details
Department: Guest Services
Reports to: Guest Services Management Team
Commitment: 4 hours per week for a three month period.
Must complete 50 volunteer hours with the California Science Center before any Community Service hours will be confirmed.
Summary of Position:
Youth Host volunteer provide excellent customer service while completing a variety of tasks and responsibilities ranging from engaging guest with our exhibit galleries to helping them get the most from their visit.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver high-quality, guest-friendly service while rotating between three posts IMAX Theater, Greeter, and Gallery Host.
- Remain polite, courteous, and helpful at all times.
- Provide accurate information about current and upcoming Science Center and IMAX Theater offerings as released.
- Exercise active listening skills and positive body language through smiling, sustaining eye contact, keeping good posture, and speaking clearly with guests, staff and volunteers.
- Circulate among museum visitors in assigned gallery to readily answer guest questions and alert staff of safety hazards.
- Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers.
- Communicate guest issues or operational concerns to nearest staff host or available Guest Services Supervisor in timely manner.
- Perform other duties as required
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Excellent communications skills, or desire to demonstrate superior articulation.
- Must be comfortable and exhibit enthusiasm relating to school children and guests.
- Highly motivated with a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service.
- Must attend Guest Services Training and area-specific required trainings.
- Must demonstrate ability to act professionally and communicate well with others.
- Effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
- Bilingual fluency is a plus.
To apply to become a volunteer please complete the age appropriate application:
PDF applications can be returned via one of the following ways:
- Email: [email protected]
- U. S. Mail:
California Science Center
Department of Volunteer Resources
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037