Volunteer

The 2024 applications for Guest Engagement are closed. 

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.

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 into the Teen Rex Experience. Additionally, the Dept of Earth Sciences is home to the Digital Research Lab (DRL), which 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.

View examples of 3D models

Qualifications

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

Training

The Earth Sciences Fossil Preparation Lab staff will train any volunteers.

Physical Working Conditions

Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods

Schedule and Commitment 

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.

Qualifications

• 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 Committment

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.

Qualifications

• 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.)

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

Schedule and Commitment

• Minimum of one shift per week for six months.
• 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.

Age Requirement

Available to individual applicants 18 or older