Organization Policies
Docent, Marine Science Instructor, & WoW Volunteers
Docent Description
As a PMMC Docent, you will be joining a team of dynamic individuals who are passionate about sharing our mission and knowledge about marine mammals and conservation. Docents greet our guests and take them on a tour to view the animals in our outdoor pools. Throughout the tour, PMMC Docents share information about how we rescue and rehabilitate the animals in our care and return them to their ocean home. More importantly, Docents share conservation issues that explain why these animals are stranding, ocean stewardship actions that help mitigate these problems, as well as how people can get involved in our mission. Docents are also welcome to share PMMC's mission through participating in various local outreach events.
Time Commitment
- Commitment of one year
- One day a week, on a specific shift:
- Morning shift: 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Afternoon shift: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Skills/Qualifications
- Age 18 or older
- Ability to work well on a team
- Prior docent or teaching experience a plus, but not required
Marine Science Instructor Description
As a PMMC education instructor, you will be joining a team of creative and enthusiastic individuals who have a passion for sharing knowledge about marine mammals and the environment with children and other individuals through structured educational programs.
Our education programs include:
- Onsite interactive programs, which include a multi-media a presentation, a tour and hands on-activities that allow participants to learn the importance of conservation.
- Distance learning programs that include compelling presentation with live views of our current patients.
- PMMC’s free ‘give back’ programs, which serve children at risk, children in hospitals, as well as veterans transitioning into civilian life.
Join the team and help us make a difference in the lives of others!
Time Commitment
- Commitment of one year
- A minimum of three programs or more per month (as available). Programs run from 1 to 2 hours long. Most of our programs run in the morning Monday through Friday. However, we do have a few in the afternoon and on weekends. We work with your schedule when assigning you to teach programs.
- All instructors will be cross-trained to assist at outreach events
Skills/Qualifications
- Age 18 or older
- Ability to work well on a team
- Prior experience presenting to groups of children or adults
- Comfortable around children
- A passion for marine mammal conservation
Whales on Wheels (WoW) Description
Whales Need You!
Pacific Marine Mammal Center needs enthusiastic volunteers to help with its' Whales on Wheels education program. Whales on Wheels is an experiential school assembly program for K through 8th grade students at Title I schools in Orange County, that focuses on human impacts on the biggest living creatures on earth and how everyone can be a part of the solution. Our volunteer WoW Team introduces children to 'Winston', our life sized inflatable gray whale which students can go inside and view its' internal organs. Volunteers help inflate/deflate, set-up/breakdown of whale and teaching activities at local schools in Orange County, California. Volunteers should be physically fit and able to lift 50 lbs. This is a 3-hour program, which is typically scheduled during school days (Monday-Friday) as well as after school. Programs generally take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. We usually have to budget an hour before and after to allow for set-up or clean-up.
Time Commitment
- Commitment of one year
- Program is 3-hours long. Scheduled Monday through Friday typically during school hours
Skills/Qualifications
- Age 18 or older
- Ability to work well on a team
- Prior experience presenting to groups of children or adults
- Comfortable around children
- A passion for marine mammal conservation
