MOEC 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 also share information about the wonderful experiences we offer at the Center while answering questions, collecting admissions, and answering phones.

Discovery Guides lead guests around the Center while answering questions about our exhibits and manatees.  Discovery guides also facilitate touch tank demonstrations for guests providing a unique hands-on learning opportunity. 

Roving Naturalists interact with guests outside the Center while answering questions about our natural resources and manatees. While outside, Roving Naturalists look for manatee and other wildlife to share with our guests. 

Gift Shop Assistants greet & assist customers in the Vanishing Mermaid Gift Shop.   They conduct sales transactions and answer phones for daily boat tour reservations.

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 filing, phone calls, emails, etc.  Clerical assistants may be asked to assist with additional duties according to ongoing or upcoming projects. 

Special Events 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, such as the Native Butterfly Garden currently being developed by five specialist volunteers. 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.  

The Manatee Center volunteer program is always growing and improving. 
Not all opportunities are listed. 
For more information on a volunteer opportunity, please contact our
Volunteer Coordinator Trish Parker at (772) 466-1600 ext. 3334