Volunteer at the Museum

Volunteers in the Docent position will be able to sign up for a variety of assignments throughout the Museum to enhance the guest experience by providing overall support and information. These assignments include gallery ticket scanning and greeting assignments, Information Desk and wayfinding assignments as well as some special event and adult program support assignments. Docents are trained and knowledgeable about overall Museum happenings and the specifics required for the assignment. Docents will be supported and directly supervised by Volunteer Engagement Department staff unless otherwise specified. Shifts are available seven days a week and Friday evenings. Volunteers must volunteer for 12 shifts per year to remain on active status. Volunteers start with the Docent position and after six shifts they are eligible to participate in a facilitation review to possibly qualify as a facilitator. 

Volunteers in the Facilitator position will be able to sign up for assignments that focus on facilitating content-based discovery and exploration interactions with Museum guests. These assignments include all Exploration Station assignments (aka carts) and any assignment that requires content-based training like the Navigator assignment. Facilitators are first and foremost, fantastic Docents, displaying an overall understanding of Museum-wide happenings and exemplary customer service. All Facilitators are required to be trained and able to facilitate Museum-wide high-priority Facilitation assignments.
 
To be eligible for a Facilitator position, volunteers are required to complete six docent shifts to participate in a Facilitator Review Shift. During this shift, volunteers who are interested in facilitating will come to the Museum prepared to facilitate the Exploration Station of their choosing. Team Members will observe facilitation interactions and provide input on whether a volunteer is ready to start registering for Facilitation assignments upon completion of content-specific training. 

Get your (gloved) hands dirty in a state-of-the-art lab dissecting and preparing animals for collections! Zoology vertebrate preparator volunteers assist with prepping mammal study skins, skeletons, and tissues in preparation for specimens to be added to our mammalogy and ornithology collections. This is a unique opportunity to have hands-on experience with many specimens from the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. Daily tasks include skinning carcasses and taking tissue samples, collecting parasites, prepping study skins, and accurately filling out datasheets.

Volunteers will work on a project during their volunteer time with a minimum time commitment of 6 months. More detailed requirements are in the project descriptions below.

Zoology Vertebrate Preparation and Dissection Projects

Basic Mammal Dissection
Volunteers will work on various sizes of rabbits, squirrels, or raccoons. Volunteers will learn how to preserve skulls, tissues, and/or whole bodies in ethanol. This is best for volunteers who have little or no experience in dissecting animals and are new to scientific dissection procedures. This position requires volunteers to have a strong stomach, good attention to detail, and organized. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week for 6 months. Shifts are available on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Preference is given to those who can volunteer for longer shifts.

Small Bird Dissection
Volunteers will work on bird skeletonizing and/or whole bodies in ethanol. This may also include dry wing preparation. This project is best for someone with high manual dexterity, strong attention to detail, and, ideally has a basic understanding of avian skeletal anatomy. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week for 6 months. Shifts are available on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Preference is given to those who can volunteer for longer shifts.

Flesh-Eating Beetles (Dermestid)
Volunteers will work on washing, boxing, and rearranging skeletons in our flesh-eating beetle (dermestid) colonies. This project is best for volunteers who are not afraid of insects, can handle strong smells, and have great attention to detail. This is the most flexible volunteering position in the lab. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week for 6 months. Shifts are available Fridays for a 4-hour block of time, with flexibility on the dates and times of this volunteer position.

Shifts

• A minimum commitment of one shift per week for 6 months
• Mammal and Bird Projects: Shifts are available Thursday or Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Dermestid Project: Shifts are available Friday for one 4-hour shift each week

Minimum Qualifications

• Have solid attention to detail and a proactive willingness to acquire new skills
• Exhibit manual dexterity skills that lend themselves to intricate tasks
• Thrive in a collaborative team setting
• Demonstrate adeptness in following instructions while also excelling in independent tasks
• Consistency is key; commit to maintaining a regular weekly schedule

Helpful Skills

• Education or background in biology, mammalogy, or ornithology is helpful
• Prior experience in handling specimens is helpful

Training
The Zoology Preparator will provide on-the-job training. Additionally, volunteers are required to take the Zoology Preparation Lab Safety Training on their first working day in the lab. All personal protective equipment is provided.

Age Requirement
Available to individual applicants 18 or older

Physical Working Conditions

• Must have the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to safely lift and handle specimens
• Manual dexterity – must have the ability to hold and operate hand tools and pneumatic tools without assistance
• Moderate physical activity is required by handling objects up to 20 lbs occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs frequently