Manatee Center Volunteer Positions
Explore. Educate. Inspire. Volunteer!
All volunteers are encouraged to promote the Exhibit Hall & Gift Shop, and inform guests about our tours and special events.
No experience is necessary and training is provided for all positions.
GREETERS are the first to welcome guests to the Manatee Center. They collect admissions and demographic information from our visitors while sharing information about the Center, manatees and local conservation efforts.
DISCOVERY GUIDES intoduce guests to our cast of characters within the aquariums, sharing information and anecdotes about them. They offer in-depth interpratation of our exhibits and answer questions about manatees. Discovery guides also facilitate touch tank demonstrations for guests providing a unique hands-on learning rxperience.
ROVING NATURALISTS interact with guests outside the Center sharing information about our natural resources, Moore's Creek and manatees. Roving Naturalists also act as manatee spotters and record sightings for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
GIFT SHOP ASSISTANTS help customers find products, answer their questions, and provide recommendations based on their needs and preferences. They conduct sales transactions, restock displays and keep the gift shop clean, organized, and attractive.
EDUCATION ASSISTANTS assist the Education Coordinator with school groups, give group tours of the Center, and may assist with summer camps, off-site classes and festivals.
CLERICAL ASSISTANTS assist staff with data entry, filing, phone calls, emails, etc. Clerical assistants may be asked to assist with additional duties according to ongoing or upcoming projects.
SPECIAL EVENT ASSISTANTS assist staff by helping to plan, participate in, or host local outreach and recruiting events such as the IRL Science Festival, OysterFest, NatureFest, Volunteer Recruitment events, the Manatee Center 5K, and more!
PLUS the Manatee Center assigns special projects and periodically invites volunteers to join special Working Committees to help us plan new exhibits, If you have a specialization or unique skill that you would like to contribute to the Manatee Center, please reach out to us and we will explore the best way to incorporate your generous time contribution into our program development.
For additional information on our volunteer program, contact
our Volunteer Coordinator at 772-466-1600 ext. 3334