Volunteer Opportunity
Fall 2026 Education Volunteer Cohort
Deadline: Open for fall cohort
Short Summary
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is accepting volunteers for its Fall 2026 Education Volunteer Cohort in Edgewater, Maryland. The programme is for adults who want to support outdoor, hands-on education about Chesapeake Bay science, SERC research, and environmental learning.
Key Details
- Position / opportunity: Fall 2026 Education Volunteer Cohort
- Organization: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
- Country / coverage: United States
- Location: Edgewater, Maryland
- Work arrangement: On-site
- Opportunity type: Volunteer opportunities
- Sector: Environmental Education
- Compensation: Volunteer role; non-cash benefits and training opportunities provided
- Duration: Cohort-based volunteer participation; regular commitment expected
- Application deadline: Open for fall cohort
Description
SERC's Education Program recruits volunteers in cohorts and trains them to support field trips, student learning, canoe programmes, outreach events and other environmental education activities. Volunteers do not need to be professional educators; the programme is designed for people who enjoy working with young learners, being outdoors and helping students connect with science and the Chesapeake Bay.
Education volunteers may serve as field trip leaders or helpers, canoe guides or helpers, event and outreach assistants, and behind-the-scenes support for the education team. People who prefer not to work directly with students may also support office work, aquarium tank maintenance, trail maintenance, gardening and related education-programme needs.
Responsibilities
- Lead or assist with hands-on environmental education programmes for students and visitors.
- Support outdoor learning activities connected to Chesapeake Bay science, SERC research and environmental literacy.
- Help with field trips, canoe activities, special events, outreach activities or station-based education sessions.
- Assist with programme support tasks such as aquarium maintenance, trail maintenance, gardening or office work where appropriate.
- Participate in training and work with SERC education staff and other volunteers as part of a cohort.
Requirements / Eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Volunteers should be interested in working with young learners, nature, outdoor education or environmental science.
- No prior teaching experience is required; SERC provides training in teaching basics, group management and SERC science.
- Volunteers are expected to commit regularly, with most volunteering taking place on weekdays.
- The process may include an application, an initial interview, a trial/helper day, background paperwork and a trial period before full volunteer participation.
Benefits / Compensation
- Training and continuing education experiences with a team known for community and mutual support.
- Opportunities to deepen knowledge of Chesapeake Bay science, SERC research and environmental education.
- Field trips, lunch-and-learn sessions with scientists, behind-the-scenes tours, holiday gatherings and related volunteer activities.
- Access to selected Smithsonian volunteer benefits such as Smithsonian facility/event benefits, store and eatery discounts, and library-card benefits as stated by SERC.
How To Apply
Use the Apply now button to open the SERC Education Volunteer Application. SERC asks interested applicants to submit the application, after which the team may arrange an initial interview and follow-up onboarding steps.
Verification Notes
Source page was verified through public search-result text because direct server fetch from serc.si.edu returned HTTP 403. The source page states that SERC is accepting volunteers for the 2026 Fall cohort and provides the education volunteer application.