Adult Volunteer Program

Who Volunteers?

Our Adult Volunteer Program is for all individuals aged 18 years and older. Applicants should be able to pass a background check, commit to a minimum of 8 hours per month for at least one full year and comfortably interact with guests as a representative of Moody Gardens. Additional volunteer positions become available with the accrual of 40 hours of volunteer service. Accrued hours do not guarantee acceptance into any position. Advanced volunteer positions, such as volunteering behind the scenes alongside our Rainforest keepers and Aquarists, are demanding, competitive and require an internal application process.

We do not accept individuals seeking court-appointed service hours and at this time, we cannot accept international applicants.

Volunteer Diver Program

Interested in the Moody Gardens Volunteer Diver Program? Below are the requirements to be completed before helping our staff maintain exhibits and work with animals underwater. Before submitting your application, be sure to review these and ensure you are able to satisfy these requirements. Applicants must be able to fulfill each requirement in succession to progress through on-boarding and begin participation in regular volunteer diver shifts. Applicants unable to satisfy an individual requirement are still able to participate in the general volunteer program and will be encouraged to reapply to the volunteer diver program in the next application period. These will be covered in greater detail during the interview for successful applicants. 

The Moody Gardens Volunteer Diver Program accepts applications during January and September of each year. 
The January application period will close on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Prerequisites:
- Open Water certification
- 10 logged dives outside training

Onboarding Process:
- Online Application & In-person Interview
- Swim & Dive Assessment - 4 hour commitment
- AAUS Diver Medical Assessment - scheduled & paid for by Moody Gardens
- DAN First Aid for Dive Professionals Course - 8 hour commitment
- Volunteer Orientation - 3 hour commitment

1. Dive Application 

Why Should You Volunteer?

Our volunteers are a diverse group of individuals that comprise a variety of professions, backgrounds, and ages. Each has a distinct passion to share our mission with our guests. In exchange for volunteers sharing their passion with us the Volunteer Program offers professional development opportunities, social events, member benefits, recognition of service, and opportunities to learn about and get an up close look at how Moody Gardens operates.

What Roles Are Available?

As a public, non-profit educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation and research, most of our volunteers initially focus on guest experience for a minimum of 40 hours and then based off of availability may apply to work behind the scenes alongside our staff keepers and aquarists. The exception to this is for those interested in the Volunteer Dive Program.

We also encourage skill specific applicants. If you have a passion for sharing a specific skill (e.g. marketing, events, arts, electrical, etc) please submit an application and contact us directly detailing your interest.

How To Become A Volunteer

• Submit a General Volunteer Application or a Dive Volunteer Application. (Applications will be accepted in January and September.)
• You will be contacted by email to sign up for an interview where you will receive a better understanding of the program and the position(s) you are interested in working. 
• We will run a Criminal History Background Check on all applicants as part of the interview process. Applicants must be cleared before being accepted.
• If accepted into the program, you will be contacted with our available orientation dates.
• At orientation, you will learn about Moody Gardens as well as receive training on our customer service, safety, and general policies. Confirm your chosen volunteer area and schedule any training sessions that might be necessary for your area.
• Accept your volunteer name tag, volunteer shirt and official welcome!
• Attend any required training sessions

If you have any further questions, please contact our Adult Volunteer Specialist at 409-683-4281 or email avolunteer@moodygardens.org.