Public Floor and Education Volunteers

Public Floor and Education Volunteers

Volunteer Positions Public Floor and Education Volunteers








Public Floor Volunteers - Permanent Exhibitions and Tours
Abbott Hall of Conservation Restoring Earth

Restoring Earthis a permanent exhibition that showcases the conservation efforts of Field Museum scientists. Docents will engage Field Museum visitors in exploring choices they can make for a healthier future.
Applicants with a background in environmental studies are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should also enjoy teaching, and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages, from all over the world. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week, weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.

Whales: Giants of the Deep: May 20, 2011 - January 16, 2012
The Field Museum will host an exciting exhibition, Whales: Giants of the Deep, which explores these fascinating creatures by showcasing huge fully articulated whale skeletons, hands-on activities, dramatic videos, and the latest findings in whale biology and evolution. The exhibit also highlights how whales have influenced the lives of the indigenous people of the South Pacific. Docents will informally engage visitors in discovering the fascinating science of whales, and the role of whales in Maori culture.
Applicants should have a background in biology, with a strong interest in marine biology. Applicants should also enjoy teaching, and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages, from all over the world. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week, weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.



Chocolate: October 5, 2011 - January 8, 2012Voyage into a lush, tropical rainforest and discover the unique cacao tree. Visit the ancient Maya of Central America and discover what chocolate meant nearly 1,500 years ago. Travel northward to the Aztec civilization of 16th century Mexico, where cacao seeds were so valuable they were used as money. Discover chocolate's introduction into the upper class of European society, then its transformation into a mass-produced world commodity.


Applicants with a background in history or anthropology are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants should enjoy teaching, and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week, weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.

Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice DNA Discovery Center

Docents are needed to help bring the exciting science of DNA to the public. The DNA Discovery Center will introduce visitors to the ground-breaking genetic research being done at The Field Museum's Pritzker Laboratory, a lab dedicated to genetic analysis throughout the tree of life and the preservation of the world's biodiversity. From a specially designed viewing area, visitors will see Field Museum staff and evolutionary biologists from all over the world use state-of-the-art equipment to study genetic diversity.
The exhibit space will feature a video theater to introduce fundamentals of DNA. Interactive kiosks will enable visitors to simulate experiments that have been conducted in the lab, and see how scientists use DNA to answer scientific questions. There will also be specimens to help describe the variety of living things that are studied in the Pritzker Lab.
Docents will not be volunteering inside the lab, but will be using the interactive elements of the exhibit area in front of the lab to explain DNA to the visitors, and to point out to what is being done within the lab.
Applicants should have a strong background in science. They should also enjoy teaching and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week; weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.

The Ancient Americas
Volunteers Needed: Monday - Sunday

For 13,000 years before Europeans landed in the "New World," the western hemisphere was home to hundreds of distinct cultures. Only recently have we begun to appreciate the diversity and ingenuity of these peoples, from the extraordinary craftsmanship of Ice-Age mammoth hunters, to the early experimenters who first produced the foods we eat today, to the awe-inspiring Aztec and Inca empires. With more than 2,200 artifacts, amazing reconstructions, and dozens of videos and interactive displays, this ground-breaking exhibition takes visitors on an epic journey through the ancient societies that helped shape our lives today.
Applicants should have a strong background in Anthropology or History, with an interest in Native American cultures. Applicants should also enjoy teaching, and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages, from all over the world. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week, weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.

Evolving Planet
Volunteers Needed: Monday - Sunday

Evolving Planet is a new, dynamic permanent exhibition that opened in March, 2006. Museum visitors have the opportunity to journey through 4 billion years of life on earth to discover how evolution works and the science that reveals it. Evolving Planet includes a spectacular dinosaur section.
Applicants should have some background in science and a strong interest in dinosaurs and evolutionary biology. Applicants should also enjoy teaching, and have engaging communication skills with visitors of all ages. Weekday docents volunteer regularly one day a week; weekend docents volunteer two half days a month.

Sue
Volunteers Needed: Monday - Sunday

Show off our famous T-Rex! Sue is the largest, most complete tyrannosaurs rex ever found. We are looking to add a few new docents at Sue. Sue docents introduce Sue to our visitors, answer questions, and provide info. This is a great opportunity for outgoing dinosaur lovers. Weekday and weekend docents are needed.


Guest Relations/Customer Service Volunteers
Volunteers Needed: Monday - Sunday

The Department of Guest Relations needs volunteers to greet and assist visitors to the Field Museum week days and weekends. This is a great opportunity for friendly, out-going, courteous and helpful individuals to interact with guests from all over the world. Volunteers will work at the information desk and serve as hall greeters. Volunteers serve as the point-person for visitor's questions. Outgoing and fun people who like to interact with others will do well in this position. Positions are available both weekday afternoons and weekends.


Education Volunteers
Dozin' with the Dinos
Volunteers working this program begin the evening by greeting overnight guests and helping them find the best place to lay out their sleeping bags. Volunteers then assist with a hands-on workshop focused on an area of The Field Museum's collections, for instance, dissecting owl pellets or showing how to use ancient tools.
Volunteer shifts are 5:30pm to 9:00pm on the Fridays that are scheduled with Dozin' with the Dinos overnights. (A current list of Dozin' with the Dinos dates can be found at fieldmuseum.org/overnights.) Volunteers must be able to commit to 6 dates a year.
About Dozin' with the Dinos Program:
Dozin' with the Dinos is a family program that invites kids ages 6 to 12 and their parents to sleep over at the museum. The evening includes structured activities such as drop-by workshops as well as open exploration of the museum - by flashlight!
Volunteers should enjoy working with children and families in a fast-paced environment. Lifting heavy boxes may be required. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older. (Exception: Teens who have participated in theTeens@TheFieldmay be invited to join the overnight program.)
Active recruitment is during the summer and early fall of each year. Trainings are held in the fall/winter and volunteers generally begin in January of the following year.


Volunteer Requirements

Weekday volunteers are expected to contribute at least one day per week (minimum 3 hours) while weekend volunteers give at least two weekend days per month. A commitment of one year is expected, but short-term or more flexible commitments are sometimes available depending on specific exhibit, program, festival or department needs.

Please note that your application will be sent to prospective supervisors in the specific department(s) in which you indicated interest. Each application will be reviewed and interviews may be scheduled based on department needs and open volunteer positions.

Competition for volunteer opportunities is strong. Reliability is essential, including excellent attendance, promptness and courteous behavior. Training and orientation must be completed.

The Field Museum accepts applications on line. To apply for this position, please complete the on-line application. No phone calls please. Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Field Museum!
The Field Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Status: Accepting Interest