Select all that apply. Note: Wildlife and Teen Programs require additional training.

For volunteer applicants age 18 and over.

The High Desert Museum conducts a criminal history background check on all potential volunteers age 18 and over.

I hereby grant The High Desert Museum permission to check civil and criminal records to verify my eligibility to volunteer and by checking the box below, I certify my agreement to the information listed in this section and certify that the information provided in the required background check information section below is true. If you have any conviction other than a minor traffic violation, please list here. Include state.

If applicant is under age 18, parent or guardian permission is required to volunteer.
Parent/guardian: By checking the box below, you give consent for the minor applicant to volunteer with The High Desert Museum.

Please include contact information of a parent/guardian if applicant is under 18, or a general emergency contact.

Hopefully you won’t need it, but accidents do happen, so we want to make sure you understand The High Desert Museum’s supplemental insurance policy for all volunteers. How does it work? The insurance program for volunteers covers volunteers when they are acting under the direction of, and with in the scope of duties for the Museum. It is secondary, meaning that the individual volunteers’ personal insurance comes first, and then any amount left over to pay on insurance claims goes to the Museum’s secondary insurance policy. In addition, volunteers are not covered by the High Desert Museum Worker’s Compensation insurance.

Assumption of Risk: Volunteer acknowledges that there are potential hazards (“Hazards”) involved in Volunteer Services. The term “Hazards” is intended to be used in its broadest sense and includes, but is not limited to natural hazards (land, weather, etc) and man-made hazards (concrete, steel, etc.) as well as hazards typical for construction sites, the operation of vehicles, tools or equipment, physical labor and the inherent risks associated with working with and around wildlife of many different varieties. The volunteer understands and acknowledges that the Volunteer Services may include Hazards that could harm the Volunteer, and that such Hazards may or may not always be obvious. Volunteer hereby expressly and specifically assumes the risk of injury or harm for all such Hazards.

Safety Procedures: Volunteers in specific areas such as sawmill, construction and wildlife are given a safety manual for that area. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to read the manual and address any questions with their Team Lead or Staff Department Head.

Volunteer Supplemental Insurance: The High Desert Museum’s volunteer supplemental insurance policy covers volunteers when they are acting under the direction of, and within the scope of duties for the Museum. It is the secondary insurance, which means that the individual volunteers’ personal insurance is primary and is billed for any claims first. Any amount not covered by the primary insurance will be billed to the Museum’s secondary insurance policy. The Museum policy covers volunteers at the levels listed below when injured while engaging in Museum on-the-job activities:

• Maximum accidental medical - $5,000 (based on reasonable and customary amounts).
• Accidental Death - $2,500
• Accidental Dismemberment - $2,500

The Museum carries a general liability insurance policy that covers volunteers up to $10,000 when injured while engaged in Museum on the job activities.

When expenses exceed $10,000 the volunteers’ personal health insurance becomes the primary coverage.

In addition, in order to minimize out of pocket cost to the volunteer, the Museum carries a volunteer insurance policy that is supplemental and covers up to $10,000 in expenses not covered by the volunteers’ primary insurance such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

Costs incurred above and beyond the maximum policy limits will be the responsibility of the individual volunteer. Volunteers without personal insurance will be covered up to a maximum of $20,000 and are not eligible to volunteer in high risk areas including but not limited to sawmill, construction, and animal handling.

Volunteers are also insured under the Museum’s automobile insurance while using a Museum owned vehicle. Proof of a valid driver’s license is required to check out a vehicle.

I certify that the information given herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize The High Desert Museum to check my references and investigate all statements contained in this application. I understand that misrepresentation or omission of facts contained herein will be sufficient cause for cancellation of consideration for volunteer service, or dismissal if I have already started volunteering.

I assume responsibility for all risks, hazards and injuries incidental to the conduct of the activity and I do further release, absolve, indemnify and hold harmless the organizers, supervisors, The High Desert Museum, any and all of them. In case of personal injury, I hereby waive all claims against the organizers, The High Desert Museum, or any of the supervisors appointed by them. I hereby give my consent for emergency medical treatment. I understand that the district does not provide insurance coverage and that this is a personal responsibility.

I understand that I will not be compensated for my volunteer service with The High Desert Museum.

By checking the box below, I certify that I have read and agree to the above conditions and statements.

I agree to the following stipulations regarding confidential information. “Confidential Information” means all information related to the Museum that is received or accessed by Recipient, including but not limited to donor and member files and information, business models, customer and supplier lists, personnel information, animal, habitat and grounds/property information, marketing plans, financial and technical information, trade secrets, know-how, ideas, designs, drawings, specifications, techniques, programs, systems, processes, and computer software.

Both during and after the termination his/her service with the Museum:
(a) Volunteer will not use Confidential Information for any purpose without the Museum’s specific prior written authorization, except Volunteer may use Confidential Information to perform Volunteer's duties or services with the Museum, and
(b) Volunteer will not disclose Confidential Information to any person without the Museum’s specific prior written authorization.

On the third Thursday of each month, we will host a new volunteer orientation from 10:00-11:00am at the museum. You will learn about various departments/needs/opportunities.