Volunteer with California State Parks!
Elephant Seal Docents are State Park volunteer interpreters who serve the public at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery in Hearst San Simeon State Park.
Volunteering as an Elephant Seal Docent is one of the Central Coast’s best opportunities for outdoor public service. Docents are crucial to enhancing the visitor’s experience at one of the most highly visited sites in Hearst San Simeon State Park. The best reward is the opportunity to meet curious visitors from around the world, provide meaningful and memorable interpretation, and help people gain an appreciation of this unique species and its critical ocean habitat.
Docents share elephant seals and other wildlife with visitors, inspire environmental stewardship, and have the opportunity to lead school field trips and deliver group presentations.
Professional-quality training, reference materials, and mentoring are provided, allowing docents to get started with confidence. The training program includes independent study assignments and virtual & in-person sessions.
Docents must be able to volunteer three or four, 3-hour shifts a month, either in the morning or afternoon. Docents are asked to commit to at least one year of service.
Join our amazing team of State Park volunteers and make a difference in the lives of visitors, elephant seals, and all others that call Hearst San Simeon State Park home. If you would like to welcome visitors to their state parks and unlock the wonders of the amazing wildlife and habitat along the Central California Coast, apply to become a docent today!
Now Recruiting School Group Docents
We are currently recruiting school group docents. School group docents lead K-12 students on guided field trips at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Those who enjoy working with youth and are passionate about wildlife are encouraged to apply. Interested individuals should submit an online application by June 10, 2026. Applications areavailable at https://bttr.im/mfapo.
This is a unique opportunity to educate students about elephant seals and inspire the next generation of stewards. Each school year, more than 1,200 students participate in this free field trip program led by California State Parks. Docents guide small groups of up to 20 students and chaperones through curriculum-aligned field trips. They are crucial to enhancing the students’ experiences at one of the most highly visited sites in Hearst San Simeon State Park. Programs last 1-2 hours and include observing elephant seals from the bluff and participating in hands-on, science-based activities.
California State Parks, in collaboration with Friends of the Elephant Seal, offers school group docents training on elephant seal biology, interpretive techniques, and strategies for working with students. Training consists of one zoom call, two in-person sessions, independent study, and observing a school program. Mandatory training sessions are scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026 via zoom, as well as Friday, July 17, 2026, and Friday, September 11, 2026 in-person.
School group docents must be able to stand for over two hours, walk on uneven surfaces, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. School group programs typically occur Wednesday – Friday, so volunteers must have weekday availability. A minimum commitment of nine 2-hour field trips per school year is expected. Accepted volunteers must complete registration paperwork, a Live Scan, a background check, and the required training.
To Apply:
- Visit https://bttr.im/mfapo
- Create a MyImpactPage.com account
- Complete the online application form
- In the “About You” section, in response to “What volunteer position/program are you seeking?”, enter “School Group Docent”
Bluff Docent Recruitment
We are not currently recruiting docents to rove on the bluff, but we accept applications on a rolling basis. Interested individuals can submit an online application, available at https://bttr.im/mfapo. Applicants will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator when recruitment occurs again.
If accepted, individuals will need to complete registration paperwork, a Live Scan, and training.
Training occurs over the course of several weeks and is provided by California State Park staff with guest presentations from several partner organizations. Regular attendance is a requirement, and your participation is important to the success of the training. All absences, except those of an emergency nature, must be approved in advance by the Volunteer Coordinator. Training may be both virtual and in-person in coastal San Luis Obispo County.
Volunteer Coordinator
For any questions, please contact bre.brown@parks.ca.gov.