Volunteer at the Museum

Volunteers in the Guest Engagement position can sign up for various assignments throughout the Museum, enhancing the guest experience by providing overall support and information. These assignments include scanning gallery tickets, greeting guests, assisting at the Information Desk, wayfinding, and helping with special events.

Guest Engagement volunteers receive training and are well-informed about the Museum's overall activities and the specific requirements of their assignments. Unless otherwise specified, the Volunteer Engagement Department staff will support and supervise them directly.

Shifts are available seven days a week, including Friday evenings. To maintain active status, volunteers must complete 12 shifts per year. Volunteers begin in this position, and after completing six shifts, they are eligible to attend Facilitator Training to become Facilitator.

Volunteers in the Facilitator position can sign up for assignments that focus on guiding content-based discovery and interactive exploration with Museum guests. These assignments include all Exploration Station activities (also known as carts) and any role that requires specialized content training, such as roaming facilitation.

Facilitators demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Museum-wide activities and provide outstanding customer service. All Facilitators must be trained and capable of handling high-priority facilitation assignments across the Museum.

Volunteers must attend Facilitator Training, complete six docent shifts, and successfully pass a Facilitator Review Shift to be eligible for a Facilitator position.

Archives Digital Image Cataloging Volunteer 
Department: Integrative Collections, Archives 
Staff Supervisor: Laura Uglean Jackson 
Project Start Date: 11/01/2024 (approx.)  
Project End Date: Indefinite, 1-year minimum commitment 
Number of Volunteers: 1 
Schedule and Total Number of Hours: 4-8 hours a week, Monday-Thursday 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Volunteer for Digital Image Cataloging will assist with creating catalog records and metadata for digital images taken by the DMNS staff photographer that are transferred to Archives. The Volunteer may also assist with other duties as assigned by the Archives staff. This position is entirely computer-based. The volunteer is required to have strong proficiency working in a Microsoft computing environment. This position will not typically work with prints or negatives. This position reports to the Digital Archivist, Laura Uglean Jackson

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undergo extensive training to gain an understanding of the Archives’ description practices and workflows
• Follow established workflow procedures and instructions for cataloging new digital images in an Excel spreadsheet, to be incorporated into the Archives’ collections management and digital asset management systems
• Read, interpret, and reuse existing description embedded within files, spreadsheets, and databases
• Adept at data entry and avoiding typos and misspellings
• Search and navigate the Museum’s collections management system (EMu) and the Digital Asset Management System (NetX)
• Navigate multiple open windows in a Microsoft computing environment, such as file explorer, image files, spreadsheets, and the collections management database
• Create descriptions following inclusive description practices

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong proficiency working in a Microsoft computing environment
• Experience with Excel, preferably creating and editing text within Excel spreadsheets
• Interest in digital images and cataloging
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently
• Ability to understand archival standards, concepts, and best practices
• Takes direction well and can follow established workflows and procedures
• Onsite work schedule to fall within Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office: Moderate noise (business office with computers and printers, light traffic)
• Stand or sit: must be able to sit at a computer most of the time
• Museum collections: maintenance of collection items

Position: Conservation Volunteer: Silver Cleaning
Department: Conservation
Staff Supervisor: Casey Mallinckrodt
Project Start Date: Week of October 21
Project End Date: Week of November 11

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Conservation has a short-term volunteer position. The volunteer will assist in surface cleaning five silver and turquoise necklaces in preparation for an exhibition. The entire designated time may not be required.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Volunteers will receive instruction and training in cleaning method
• Hand-cleans silver jewelry using a non-toxic solution.
• Communicate closely with the supervising conservator to monitor the progress
• Handles the jewelry using best practices as instructed by the conservator
• One or two days a week for 2-3 hours

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience handling museum collection and/or silver jewelry preferred
• Demonstrated hand skills and care in handling fragile materials
• Work takes place in the conservation department lab and small “fume hood” lab, both on the B1 level.
• Shifts available Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Quiet conservation lab with effective ventilation
• Able to work alone with minimal supervision
• Sit for an extended period with breaks as needed
• Cleaning requires the use of ethanol solvent with appropriate solvent ventilation
• No machinery required
• Museum collections: preparation, cleaning of collection items, workshops
• PPE supplied by the Conservation Department

TRAINING
Conservation staff will train

SCHEDULE
Shifts available Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

The Department of Earth Sciences (DES) oversees four preparation labs; two behind-the-scenes, one visible to Museum guests as part of the permanent Prehistoric Journey exhibit, and another front-facing lab integrated in the Teen Rex Experience. Additionally, the Dept of Earth Sciences is home to the Digital Research Lab (DRL) that facilitates the imaging, modeling, virtual reconstruction, and animation of both zoological and paleontological specimens.

The volunteer in this role will assist with the 3D surface scanning of vertebrate fossils (mostly Jurassic Morrison sauropod dinosaurs) and process the scans using software to generate 3D models for research and education.

An example of these 3D models can be seen here: https://www.morphosource.org/concern/media/000657496?locale=en

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience with and comfortable using computers and technology equipment.
2. Experience with design or imaging programs such as ArcGIS, CAD, Blender, Avizo not required but helpful.
3. Must have a passion for the natural sciences.
4. Must be able to work independently 
5. Strong attention to detail, patience, fine motor skills, and excellent hand-eye coordination
6. Exceptional problem-solving skills
7. Positive attitude and flexibility
8. Ability to work collaboratively with museum staff, interns, and volunteers.
9. Organized with the ability to self-start.
10. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
11. Ability to lift 50 lbs

TRAINING
Earth Sciences Fossil Preparation Lab staff will train.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods

SCHEDULE
Shifts are available on Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 5, or an all-day shift.

STAFF SUPERVISORS 

• Evan Tamez-Galvan, Jurassic Giants Fossil Preparator 
• Natalie Toth, Chief Fossil Preparator 
• Salvador Bastien, Fossil Preparator 
• Lindsay Dougan, Digital Preparator

The largest collections in Zoology include entomology with ~1.1 million specimens and taxonomic strengths in Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) and several families of Coleoptera (beetles), including a globally significant collection of scarab beetles.

Assist the Museum’s entomology collection by working hands-on with insect specimens from around the world to help make our entomology specimens and their data valuable for research! Volunteers are needed to prepare specimens for incorporation into the entomology collection. This includes pinning insect specimens from alcohol vials for drying, sorting them by taxa, and keep collecting data associated with each specimen.

Shift times are from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 12:30 – 4:30. p.m., and 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and are available Tuesday to Friday, with a 6-month commitment at a minimum.

Required Skills

• Careful attention to detail
• Computer skills (typing, web browsers, spreadsheets)
• Willing to learn new skills
• Manual dexterity skills, able to manipulate small and fragile specimens
• Cooperative in a team environment
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently
• Must be able to commit to a set weekly schedule
• Education or experience in biology or entomology helpful

Training
The Zoology Assistant Collections Manager will provide on-the-job training.

Schedule and Commitment
Minimum of one shift per week for six months. Shifts are available Tuesday – Friday.

Age Requirement
Available to individual applicants 18 or older 

The Zoology Department is focused on providing a better understanding of the planet’s biodiversity through an active program of scientific research, collections growth, curation, and outreach. The Zoology Collections staff are responsible for

Volunteers are needed to assist the department with labeling and tagging prepared specimens to be integrated into the Zoology collection. Specimens processed in the Museum’s Vertebrate Preparation Lab are sent down to collections to be matched with corresponding specimen data, including the specimen’s catalog number and collection data. The tasks consist of transcribing the specimen’s catalog number onto the extracted bones, tying tags onto prepared skins, and affixing data labels onto specimen boxes. This position requires a steady hand and a good eye, as volunteers handle fragile, sometimes tiny specimens.

Required Skills

• Manual dexterity skills, able to manipulate fragile, sometimes small specimens
• Excellent handwriting
• Accuracy in transcribing information
• Attention to detail, checking for any inaccuracies
• Excellent communication skills, whether it be prompt in responding to notifications or able to bring up issues to collections staff

Not Required, but Preferred Skills

• Experience in natural history, biology, or zoology
• Computer skills (Excel, databases, web browsers, etc.)

Schedule and Commitment for Positions Above

• Minimum of one shift per week for six months. Shifts are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Working Conditions

• Organization and maintenance of Museum collections tasks will all/mainly occur in the B2 (basement 2) level of the Avenir Collections Center
• The use of ladders will be necessary
• Lifting and moving specimens of variable sizes
• Office conditions and standard office equipment
• Depending on the project, volunteers must be able to sit or stand for extended periods

Age Requirement
Available to individual applicants 18 or older

Schedule
Shifts are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., or all day shift, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.