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Volunteer at VIMS

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Seining Volunteer Caroline Herath catches an American eel while seining with a group of students. © S. Maples/VIMS.
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Boat Tour Volunteers learn about the marine environment durring an educational outing. © S. Maples/VIMS.
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Poquoson Seafood Festival VIMS graduate student Hadley McIntosh staffs the VIMS booth during the Poquoson Seafood Festival. © S. Maples/VIMS.
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Group Tour Graduate students Brandon Conroy and Jami Ivory interact with students during a tour of the Zooplankton Ecology Lab. © S. Maples/VIMS.
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Fisheries Collection Professor Eric Hilton talks with a guest during a tour of the VIMS Fisheries Collection. © S. Maples/VIMS.
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After Hours Lecture Professor Carl Hershner addresses the audience during a VIMS After Hours lecture. © D. Malmquist/VIMS.

Interested in volunteering at VIMS? Volunteer positions are available with our outreach and educational programs and sometimes with specific research programs.

Requirements for each volunteer position vary, but general requirements for all VIMS volunteers are below: 

  • Be at least 16 years of age (research and field-based opportunities are severely limited for minors under 18 years old)
  • Complete safety training with the VIMS Safety Office before conducting any work as a volunteer
  • Complete required volunteer paperwork (check-in form, liability waiver, provide emergency contact information)
  • A volunteer position may require you to commit to a certain number of hours, such as two hours per week, 15 hours per year, or more regular hours during a certain timeframe (summer, specific sampling period, etc.)

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

  • VIMS' Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) and Wetlands Watch are looking for volunteers to help with the "Catch the King" program - the world's largest environmental survey. To learn more about this program and register to volunteer, visit the "Catch the King" webpage.
  • VIMS' Outreach group is attempting to recruit a new cohort of volunteers to help staff public outreach and education events throughout the year (e.g. leading behind-the-scenes tours of campus, staffing fair and festival exhibits, and more). If you are interested in volunteering with VIMS' Outreach program, please fill out the volunteer application form.

For general questions about volunteering at VIMS, please contact Kristen Sharpe at [[v|knsharpe]] or (804) 684-7069.