Volunteers make each day brighter
Volunteers can get involved with MSI in several ways, including helping kids discover science or facilitating arts and crafts activities at marine camp, maintaining the aquarium tanks at MSI’s facility, or even just by helping with tasks in the MSI office. Corporate groups and individuals are welcome to help give back to the community while learning more about the marine environment.
Volunteer/internship positions are unpaid.
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities
School Break Jr. Counselor: Leader in Training
Emphasis in Educational Development, Child Development and Leadership
Program Description
Become a Junior Counselor (Leader in Training) at our 4-day Marine Science Camp for children ages 5-11 and gain valuable hands-on experience! Volunteers will assist Marine Science Camp Instructors with a variety of tasks essential to running a fun and educational program. You'll help with setting up and breaking down activity stations, supporting check-in and check-out, caring for animals, participating in arts and crafts, restocking supplies, and even leading songs and games. This is a great opportunity to engage with campers, help with classroom management, and develop leadership skills.
Primary Responsibilities
Assisting with check-in/check-out
Setting up and breaking down activity stations
Assist with animal safety and water changes
Participating in or leading songs and games
Helping with classroom management and camper engagement
Commitment
February 18-21 | Tues - Fri | 8 AM - 3:30 PM
No camp on Monday in observance of Presidents Day
March 31 - April 4 | Mon - Fri | 8 AM - 3:30 PM
April 7-11 | Mon - Fri | 8 AM - 3:30 PM
October date TBD | Registration opens August 2025
November 22-25 | Mon - Wed | 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Requirements
Minimum age requirement is 13*
Able to work independently and in a team, follow directions carefully and communicate effectively
Volunteers should possess a high level of maturity and accountability
Good communication skills, problem solving and willingness to get dirty are essential
Reliable transportation
It is essential that volunteers coordinate their internship (with guidance from guardians)
*Limited to one 13 year old per session
Afternoon Ecology Assistant
Emphasis in Educational Development, Child Development and Leadership
Program Description
Afternoon Ecology is a program designed for learners ages 6-11, who are curious about the habitats in the San Francisco Bay. We offer multiple sessions throughout the year, each with a unique curriculum that brings out the natural curiosity of young minds.
Primary Responsibilities
Assist instructor in the many facets of running a successful program
Setting up and breaking down stations
Monitor and maintain animal touching and safety during program
Assist with scientific equipment and the use of
Play games
Supplies clean-up
General classroom management
Commitment
5 Weeks, Wednesdays from 1:30 - 3 pm
or 5 Weeks, Saturdays from 2 - 3:30 pm
Requirements
Minimum age requirement is 14
Able to work independently and in a team, follow directions carefully and communicate effectively
Volunteers should possess a high level of maturity and accountability
Good communication skills, problem solving and willingness to get dirty are essential
Reliable transportation
It is essential that volunteers coordinate their internship (with guidance from guardians)
This is a limited internship, only 1-2 applicants are chosen at a time
Currently, spaces for this position are full.
Registration for Fall 2025 will open in August 2025
Advanced Ecology Assistant
Emphasis in Educational Development, Child Development and Leadership
Program Description
Afternoon Ecology is a program designed for learners ages 6-11, who are curious about the habitats in the San Francisco Bay. We offer three different sessions; one in fall, winter and spring, each with a unique curriculum that brings out the natural curiosity of young minds.
Primary Responsibilities
Assist instructor in the many facets of running a successful program
Setting up and breaking down stations
Monitor and maintain animal touching and safety during program
Assist with scientific equipment and the use of
Play teambuilding games
Supplies clean-up
General classroom management
Commitment
5 Weeks, Saturdays from 2 - 3:30 pm
Requirements
Minimum age requirement is 16
Able to work independently and in a team, follow directions carefully and communicate effectively
Volunteers should possess a high level of maturity and accountability
Good communication skills, problem solving and willingness to get dirty are essential
Reliable transportation
It is essential that volunteers coordinate their internship (with guidance from guardians)
This is a limited internship, only 1-2 applicants are chosen at a time
Currently, spaces for this position are full.
Registration for Fall 2025 will open in August 2025
Social Media and Marketing Intern
Emphasis in Social Media Platforms, Campaigns, and Logistics
Program Description
Marine Science Institute utilizes social media and other e-marketing tools for its promotional campaigns and efforts. To keep MSI’s use of social media in motion interns play a vital role in the creation and scheduling of promotional efforts. MSI uses a variety of creative tools as well to compliment the visual ascetics of ads such as Canva and Photoshop. This program is constantly changing and evolving due to the nature of e-technology and interns need to be able to adapt to rotating responsibilities.
Primary Responsibilities
Creating campaigns to help promote MSI's programs
Content creation for multiple platforms (Imagery, videos, text)
Constant Contact for email campaigns
Creation and scheduling of promotional efforts
Commitment
3-6 hours a week, 12 weeks, ability to work remotely once a schedule is prearranged
Requirements
Minimum age is 18
This role includes independent work and requires maturity, focus and initiative
Able to work independently and in a team, follow directions carefully and communicate effectively
Volunteers should possess a high level of maturity and accountability
Good communication skills and problem solving skills are essential
Experience in Canva, Photoshop, or similar editing/creative software
Experience with basic social media platforms and Word or Google Docs programs (Excel/Sheets)
Knowledge of marine life, environmental education, and science recommended
Knowledge of MSI programs, and awareness of current website and social media
Reliable transportation, laptop, and mobile phone
This is a limited internship, only 1-2 applicants are chosen at a time
Hammerhead Building Team
Program Description
The Marine Science Institute (MSI) is looking for handy volunteers with experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, framing, landscaping, roofing, general contracting, or any other field of construction to help with our daily operations, and list of projects. Our facility is located right on the San Francisco Bay, includes a 4,000-gallon aquarium system and a 110ft dock for our 90ft research vessel, so there’s no shortage of projects. MSI relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers to carry out our mission, and we want to invite anyone with relevant experience and interest in joining our team of “Hammerheads” to apply today.
Primary Responsibilities
Volunteers will work directly with our Facilities Engineer to select, plan, and carry out any necessary projects.
Some projects may be conducted entirely by volunteers after the initial planning phase with our Engineer.
Most projects are carried out Monday through Thursday, and occasionally weekends.
Projects may include but are not limited to: building wood lockers, storage boxes, display cases, rough window installation, re-plumbing of aquarium life support systems, wood deck and fence repair, construction of wooden shade structures, construction of barn doors or gates, installation of artificial lawn, concrete pouring, etc.
Commitment
The minimum required work window is 4 hours per day. However, most work is project based and time needs will vary greatly depending on the time of year.
Requirements
Minimum age of 18.
Experience in one of the fields of construction mentioned above is preferred
Able to work independently and in a team
Follows directions
Capable of lifting 40 pounds
Volunteers should possess a high level of maturity and accountability
Good communication skills, problem solving and willingness to get dirty are essential