Volunteer at the Museum!

Volunteers create a lasting impact on the success of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Their tireless commitment helps make the Museum one of the country's most highly regarded natural history institutions. Join our volunteer community and help us inspire our community’s passion for nature and science.

The 2024 applications for Guest Engagement are closed. Please complete the form below to be notified when Guest Engagement applications open for 2025. This form is not an application; it allows our Volunteer Engagement Department to send you email notifications when applications open.

Application Notification Form

Guest Engagement Volunteer Opportunities

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. Please read below for information about these opportunities that will be available in 2025.

Learn More

Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Opportunities

We often have multiple volunteer positions available throughout the year, so please regularly check this page for future opportunities. 

Application Process

  • Learn more about the volunteer opportunities below, then click on the Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Application 
  • Complete the position of interest form and select the position of interest
  • Interview with a staff supervisor
  • If accepted, attend a virtual new volunteer orientation
  • Complete any necessary additional training 

Please note: Most behind-the-scenes positions are only available during regular business hours, Monday to Friday. Please read the descriptions below to learn more about each position and complete the appropriate application. The placement process for Behind-the-Scenes volunteer positions can take up to two months, depending on the position and required training. 

If you have applied as a volunteer or intern before or are a former volunteer or intern looking to re-apply, please contact us at [email protected] to reset your account. 

Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Application Form

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Woman scans people's tickets at an exhibit entry

Guest Engagement 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.

silhouette of a person looking at a planet

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

Archives Digital Image Cataloging Volunteer 
Department: Integrative Collections, Archives 
Staff Supervisor: Laura Uglean Jackson 
Project Start Date: December 2024
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 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

Conservation Volunteer: Silver Cleaning

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.

Hundreds of small beetles pinned on paper

Entomology Collections Specimen Pinner

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 

Shells

Marine Invertebrate Photoshop Volunteer

Assist the Museum’s Marine Invertebrate Collection by processing high quality specimen photographs and making them available online to researchers around the world! 

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 through Thursday with a 6-month commitment at a minimum.

Projects 
Volunteers are needed to help process images of specimens from the Museum’s Marine Invertebrate Collection for subsequent upload to the Arctos database. The Museum’s Marine Invertebrate collection holds a diverse group of worldwide specimens, the largest portion being marine mollusk shells, followed by terrestrial and freshwater shells, corals, and echinoderms. The primary task will be to consolidate high-quality images of micromollusks using Photoshop to upload them to the collections database, Arctos.

The volunteer will add images to Arctos specimen records, verify taxonomy and identification of specimens, and will gain an understanding of all other curation and data management skills involved in maintaining this museum collection. 

This project is suited for those who have experience with detailed computer work. Experience using Photoshop is especially useful. 

Required Skills

  • Computer skills (typing, web browsers, spreadsheets, file navigation and management)
  • Careful attention to detail
  • Previous experience with Photoshop or similar program
  • 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 marine biology helpful

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

Schedule and Commitment
Minimum of one shift per week for 6 months. Shifts are available Tuesday– Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Age Requirement
Available to individual applicants 18 or older

Three Rows of green and blue bird specimens

Zoology Vertebrate Collections Specimen Labeler

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 

Zoology Vertebrate Preparator and Dissection Volunteer

The Zoology Prep Lab is a crucial step in the life of a vertebrate zoology specimen. Staff and volunteers in this lab collect data and prepare vertebrates for their long life in the growing zoology collections. We prepare a variety of skins, skeletons, and alcohol specimens for research. In addition, we sample tissues and save parasites from specimens coming through the lab. We work closely with zoology curators and collections staff to ensure that scientists receive the materials they need for their research. We are recruiting volunteers for the projects listed below.

Squirrel and Rabbit Dissection:Volunteers will work on various sizes of rabbits and squirrels. Volunteers will learn how to prepare skulls, tissues, and whole bodies in ethanol for the Zoology research collections. This position is best suited for volunteers who have never dissected animals before and are new to the methods. Qualifications include people with a strong stomach, good attention to detail, who can work on repetitive tasks, who enjoy working with their hands, and who can keep organized. Disclaimer: This volunteer position includes the dissection of dead baby animals. You will see blood, intestines, organs, and potentially insects or parasites. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week for 6 a minimum of months. Shifts are available on Wednesdays or Thursdays 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 small bird skeletonizing and some wing preparation for the Zoology research collection. This will also include the preservation of tissues, parasites, and possibly other parts of the bird. This position is suited for someone who has strong fine motor skills and has a gentle touch. It is a good fit for people with a strong stomach and good attention to detail, who can work on repetitive tasks, enjoy working with their hands and keep organized. Disclaimer: This volunteer position includes the dissection of dead animals. You will see blood, intestines, organs, and potentially insects or parasites. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week for 6 months. Shifts are available on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Preference is given to those that can volunteer for longer shifts.

Bullfrog Project: The Zoology Department recently received a large shipment of about 400 bullfrogs from Southeastern Colorado and we are looking for a volunteer to work with us to get the frogs preserved and into our Zoology research collection. Frogs are in chemicals and will need to get properly labeled, housed, and into ethanol. Best for people who are well organized, enjoy spreadsheets, can carefully work with chemicals (ethanol) under a fume hood, and enjoy frogs. Disclaimer: This volunteer position includes working with dead animals. You will see blood, intestines, organs, and potentially insects or parasites. Volunteers must be available for a minimum time commitment of one 4-hour shift per week until the end of this project (less than 6 months). Shifts are available on Thursdays or Fridays from 8:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.

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, ornithology, or herpetology is helpful.

Prior experience in handling animals 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
  • Ability to safely lift and handle specimens
  • Manual dexterity – must have the ability to hold and operate hand tools and pneumatic tools without assistance

Physical Effort Required
Moderate physical activity is required by handling objects up to 20 lbs. occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. frequently.

A Museum volunteer shows fossils to two teens

Inclusivity Statement

Science helps us understand that diversity in our natural world creates strength and nurtures life. We strive to be a diverse and collaborative team – a team of people from different backgrounds, identities and experiences who are open to being inspired, challenged and changed by one another. At all levels of our organization, in every policy, action and decision, we seek to create a workplace that lives our Museum values and foster opportunity and mutual respect. We realize that we are on a continual journey toward building community, understanding, and belonging. These aspirations are critical to bringing our mission to life.

 

Questions? Email [email protected]