Why Volunteer?
Research has shown that volunteering is associated with improved health and well-being, including increased longevity, adoption of healthy lifestyles and reduction in depression and stress. At the Field Museum, volunteers will have the opportunity to bring their passions to life as they help share Earth’s story with visitors from across the globe. From leading interactive tours through world-class exhibitions to supporting our researchers behind the scenes working directly with our natural and cultural collections, every day brings a new learning adventure for the Field’s volunteers.
Why Now?
Our mission embodies forward-thinking scientific leadership, which shows up in the work we do every day. Fighting climate change. Preserving biodiversity. Celebrating cultures. Championing science and taking action. Now more than ever, we need volunteers to support these efforts and share the stories behind our work. Join us as we continue exploring and conserving our planet. After all, we’re on it together.
What's Available?
The Field Museum hosts both visitor-facing and behind-the-scenes volunteer roles. All available volunteer positions are listed below. To ensure that our current volunteers are able to reach their goals, there is limited capacity within many of our teams. Please review the “Hours and Time Commitment” section of each role for details. Furthermore, all applicants must apply and interview before potential acceptance into the program.
Please note: Applying to the volunteer program does not automatically guarantee acceptance or placement, and volunteer service is not intended or guaranteed in any way to lead to paid employment.
Education and Public Programs
Applicants for these roles should be outgoing, adaptable, and enthusiastic about learning new information and applying new skills to fulfill volunteer responsibilities. An interest in science and/or informal education is important. Bilingual skills are a plus. Volunteers are selected to specific roles based on their completed application, schedule availability, and participation in a group interview with other applicants.
Active Education and Public Programs volunteers commit at least five hours per month to their role, with a minimum of 60 volunteer hours per calendar year. Specific roles may have additional hourly requirements and will be listed in the description. Yearly required training sessions will vary by role and count towards the hourly commitment.
Expand the listings below for more details on each opportunity.
The next round of interviews for Education and Public Programming Volunteer positions will be held in the spring. Applicants will be contacted in March regarding interview dates and next steps in the process.
Visitor Services Volunteer
You could provide a friendly face and greeting to visitors from around the world at our information desks throughout the museum. Visitor Services volunteers suggest exhibitions based on visitors' interests, conduct wayfinding duties and provide overall customer service and support for our daily guests. Customer service experience and/or bilingual skills are a huge plus! A minimum time commitment of one four-hour shift per weekday or one four-hour shift every other weekend for 8 months to 1 year is required. Interested?
Collections and Research Volunteers
Applicants for these roles should be friendly, adaptable, and enthusiastic about learning new information and applying new skills to fulfill volunteer responsibilities. An interest in science is a must. Collections and Research volunteer positions are highly competitive and placement is determined by a variety of factors, including skills, experience, and availability.
Please note: These positions are available during weekdays only- no weekend hours are available. Applicants who can provide an ongoing, consistent commitment of one four-hour shift per week for at least one year will be given priority upon placement.
There are no Collections & Research volunteer openings currently available. Please check back at a later date, since we post openings as they become available.
Administration
Our teams who work in fundraising, marketing, and other administrative areas appreciate the help of highly organized, tech-savvy volunteers. Administrative volunteers do everything from filing paperwork and sorting mail to maintaining databases and providing support for departmental meetings and events.
There are no Administrative Volunteer positions available at this time. Please check back at a later date.
