Volunteer Opportunities at the Tijuana Estuary
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The Tijuana Estuary has many fun volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Whether you have just a few hours to give or if you want to volunteer on a regular basis, the Tijuana Estuary has many ways for you to help the environment. Click here to see our current & upcoming volunteer opportunities.

How to Become a Volunteer

1.) Complete an Application
Please complete the Tijuana Estuary Volunteer Application and send it to Sarah Emerson, Volunteer Coordinator, via fax (619.575.6913) or mail (Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932).

2.) Interview and Select a Volunteer Position
After receiving your volunteer application, we will contact you for a volunteer interview. This is an opportunity for you to tell us more about your community service interests and goals. It will also give you a chance to ask more questions about the Reserve and our volunteer program. This discussion will help us work together to find the volunteer position that is right for you.

3.) Attend the New Volunteer Orientation
All volunteers are required to attend the new volunteer orientation. The orientation includes information on the Reserve’s organizational structure, history, core programs, goals, and community involvement. We discuss the many benefits of being a volunteer at the Reserve and tour our facilities. Orientations are held from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m., immediately following our monthly volunteer meeting (from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and Saturday Speaker Series (from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center. The meetings, speaker series, and orientations are always held on the third Saturday of every month.

4.) Participate in Training
Volunteer training requirements vary dramatically depending on the volunteer position. For example, stewardship volunteers participate in on-the-job training, while educational docents are required to participate in a 7 week, 30 hour docent training course. Training requirements and schedules will be discussed during the volunteer interview. You will also be given a copy of our Volunteer Handbook (3MB).

5.) Establish a Schedule
You will work in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator and Program Coordinator(s) to establish your schedule. We ask most volunteers to contribute a minimum of 4 hours each month.

Group Volunteer Opportunities
Would your school, club, organization, or business like to volunteer as a group at the Tijuana Estuary? We can work with you to help craft a one-day project that offers a balance of community service and a team experience. Participants do not need special skills or experience – only a willingness to get their hands dirty and a desire to help improve the valuable coastal habitat of the Tijuana Estuary. We generally need at least 6 weeks advance notice to plan a project. The number of participants we can accept depends on the time of year, as well as other variables. If you are interested in planning a group volunteer project at the Tijuana Estuary, please contact Sarah Emerson, Volunteer Coordinator.

Members and staff of REI, area Cub Scout packs, local students, and other community members
pause in their habitat restoration work to pose for a photo.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Reserve. We look forward to working with you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our volunteer coordinator:

Sarah B. Emerson, Volunteer Coordinator
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
301 Caspian Way / Imperial Beach, CA 91932 / p: 619.575.3613 ext.330/ f: 619.429.5596
www.tijuanaestuary.org

Thank you to the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Association
for support of the Volunteer Program.

Special thanks to the generous donors to SWIA’s Volunteer Program.

Sorry, there are no employment opportunities at the Tijuana Estuary at this time. Please check the California State Parks and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service links below for opportunities within our agencies.