Another great way to support CuriOdyssey is by volunteering. Each year, over 150 individuals ages 13 to 87 volunteer for CuriOdyssey. There are volunteer opportunities in many areas of the museum, including: wildlife docents, roving interpretative guides, and Wildlife Department assistants.
CuriOdyssey, located in San Mateo, is recognized as one of the country's foremost environmental education institutions. The museum includes engaging science exhibits and outdoor Wildlife Habitats home to live animals native to California in natural settings including a walk-through aviary.
Volunteers receive many special privileges including educational opportunities, social events with other volunteers, a quarterly newsletter specifically written for volunteers, discounted family membership rate, and the knowledge that the community benefits from each volunteer’s time.
Click here to download a volunteer application.
Age: 18+
Commitment: One day per week, 9:00am-1:00pm, for at least 6 months (longer preferred). Current needs: Thursdays and Fridays.
Description: Wildlife Aides work closely with the professional keepers to assist in the day to day cleaning of the animal facilities as well as preparing diets for the animals. Must be physically able to clean and be very dependable. After several months, volunteers will have opportunity to learn animal handling.
Age: 18+
Commitment: Once per month on a flexible basis.
Description: Volunteer with professional level skills and camera needed to photograph children and animals for museum marketing and development materials and social media. With your Volunteer Application, please include your website address, Flicker account, or other platform so that we may view samples of your work.
Age: Current high school student or older.
Commitment: Ten 2-hour shifts this summer.
Description: Have fun helping children explore and experiment with our outdoor hands-on science exhibits.
CuriOdyssey is seeking a Marketing and Business Strategy Intern to support the Marketing Department to execute our marketing and membership programs and support our guest services and retail operations. This position will report to the Director of Marketing and Business Strategy, but will work closely with all members of the museum’s Marketing team.
Requirements:
Part-time (1-3 days/week, Tuesday-Friday), 3-6 months (depending on intern needs, museum staff availability)
Click to download full description of Marketing and Business Strategy Intern.
CuriOdyssey is seeking a Collections Intern to execute some key collections projects. This position will report to the Director of Marketing and Business Strategy, but will work closely with all members of the museum’s Marketing department as well as other museum departments including Finance and Operations, Exhibits, and Education.
Requirements:
Part-time (1-2 days/week, Tuesday-Friday), 3-6 months (depending on intern needs, museum staff availability)
Click to download full description of Collections Intern.
The Keeper In Training (KIT) program is designed for teens who want to learn what it is like to work in an animal centered career. These volunteers will work closely with our professional keepers and assist with animal diet preparation and cleaning in the habitats and visitor areas. KITs will also educate the public by interpreting our animals on exhibit and by using biofacts. After several months of dependable service, KITs will have the opportunity to train to handle certain education animals. Because of the greater time commitment and supervision by the keepers, teens volunteer on their own without a parent.
New Keepers In Training are selected on an annual basis. See our website in the fall for next year's selection process timeline.
TWIGs create memorable visitor experiences by providing interpretive animal presentations, engaging visitors in conversation about the animals in our Wildlife Habitats, facilitating fun science based activities on special event days, and providing roving visitor services.
Requirements:
Must be available for two 2-hour shifts each month for at least one year. Teens (13-17) may volunteer and train to handle animals when partnered with their parent. Formal training provided (fee applies).
Docents help visitors appreciate our local wildlife and the natural world by providing live animal presentations and interpreting the wildlife collection for visitors on weekday mornings.
Requirements:
We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable volunteers who enjoy speaking with visitors, especially elementary school age children. Must be 18 years old, or partnered with a parent if 13-17 years old. Docents volunteer for at least two regularly scheduled 2-hour shifts per month for at least one year. Formal training provided (fee applies).
Aviary Aides typically spend an hour helping to maintain a clean walk-through Aviary and then several hours engaging visitors about the birds and turtles in the Aviary. Contact LCauble(at)CuriOdyssey.org to inquire which day(s) Aviary Aides are currently needed.
Requirements:
Ability to volunteer one day per week for at least 3 months (longer preferred). Volunteer shifts are 9am-1pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 11am-3pm on Sundays. Must be at least 18 years old, reliable, friendly, and have good communications skills. On-the-job training provided.