Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a vital part of our institution

Thank you for your interest in helping Cincinnati Museum Center provide quality services, programs and education for the community! Without this special group of dedicated people, Cincinnati Museum Center would not be able to fulfill its mission to “inspire people of all ages to learn more about our world through science, regional history, and educational, engaging and meaningful experiences.”

Join us to find out about our current volunteer opportunities and how you can become part of our team! No prior volunteer experience is necessary—just enthusiasm and an avid interest in the activities and programs we offer.

Benefits

Being a part of a FANTASTIC Cincinnati Museum Center team
Becoming involved in an environment of life-long learning
Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

* Please note: for all positions, volunteers must attend a general orientation and participate in additional departmental training. Volunteers are provided with the necessary tools and resources to be a successful part of the Cincinnati Museum Center Volunteer Team.

Human Resources Special Projects Assistant

KidSPACE Volunteer

Volunteer Title: KidSPACE Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: Adult volunteers can use their maker skills to engage with guests on art and design process learning with guests 12 and younger. Skills and techniques for lifelong learning and problem solving are the focus of these programs. KidSPACE shifts will be from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sundays and includes time to help set up, run the activity and clean up.

Background:
KidSPACE, located in the Children’s Museum, is a place where Science, Play, Art, Creativity, and Exploration come to life through hands-on making, experimenting and tinkering. As a space that focuses on STEAM education, KidSPACE is a great fit for volunteers who like working with children, sparking curiosity, and facilitating playful and engaging experiences that involve making of all kinds. This may look like teaching visitors how to use a sewing machine, use a 3D printer or build contraptions with recycled materials. Each day in KidSPACE is a new opportunity to learn and skill share with staff and visitors.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (the Children's Museum) – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Position Overview:

Key Responsibilities:

Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in KidSPACE, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests.
Encourage guests to make, explore, and learn through trying to skills and techniques.
Assist guests in wayfinding in the Children's Museum.
Assist staff with daily KidSPACE operations such as prep and clean up in KidSPACE.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
The Children’s Museum – engage guests by learning through play! Help to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills in some of our youngest guests.
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Young at Art Volunteer

Volunteer Title: Young at Art Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: Adult volunteers can use their maker skills to engage in art and design process learning with preschoolers and their families. Skills and techniques for lifelong learning and problem solving are the focus of these programs. Young at Art Shifts will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and includes time to help set up, run the activity and clean up.

Background:
KidSPACE, located in the Children’s Museum, is a place where Science, Play, Art, Creativity, and Exploration come to life through hands-on making, experimenting and tinkering. Young at Art is our KidSPACE program designed specifically for preschool age children and their families. These art activities are process rather than product based. We provide arrangements of art materials and objects that children can freely engage with in an open-ended way that looks to support creative exploration.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (the Children's Museum) – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in KidSPACE, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests.
Encourage guests to make, explore, and learn through trying to skills and techniques.
Assist guests in wayfinding in the Children's Museum.
Assist staff with daily KidSPACE operations such as prep and clean up in KidSPACE.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
The Children’s Museum – engage guests by learning through play! Help to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills in some of our youngest guests.
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Museum Engagement Volunteer

Volunteer Title: Museum Engagement Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: Hop aboard our Cincinnati Streetcar or the Queen of the West steamboat and share tales of Cincinnati’s past. Be a part of history as we travel through time to explore Cincinnati’s ancient mounds, early transportation and innovative inventions, to present day makers. Share what makes Cincinnati, Cincinnati. Best of all, hang out with all the coolest artifacts in town, including our city’s beloved icon, Union Terminal!

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Museum Engagement department is the front-facing team across the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, and the Children's Museum. The Museum Engagement team welcomes guests of every age, background and interest-level and creates meaningful experiences by engaging these guests in gallery-specific activities. Volunteers anticipate and meet guests at their point of need, answer wayfinding questions, interpret gallery spaces and present programs designed for our diverse audience.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (Cincinnati History Museum) – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist guests in wayfinding throughout the Cincinnati History Museum.
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests. Interpret exhibits and objects and lead educational programs in museum spaces.
Assist staff with daily gallery operations.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Cincinnati History Museum – engage guests with a variety of experiences in the galleries in topics of Cincinnati culture, history and more!
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Featured Exhibitions Volunteer

Volunteer Title: Featured Exhibitions Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: There is always something new and exciting in Featured Exhibitions. Whether created by CMC or travelling from the other side of the world, featured exhibitions provide opportunities to learn and teach about new topics: art, science and technology, history and so much more. You can volunteer in each exhibit or just the ones that spark your interest. Training is provided and required for each new exhibit. Previous exhibitions include: GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World, Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission, Egypt and The Science Behind Pixar.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Museum Engagement department is the front-facing team across the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, the Children's Museum, and Featured Exhibitions. The Museum Engagement team welcomes guests of every age, background and interest-level and creates meaningful experiences by engaging these guests in gallery-specific activities. Volunteers anticipate and meet guests at their point of need, answer wayfinding questions, interpret gallery spaces and present programs designed for our diverse audience.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist guests in wayfinding throughout Featured Exhibitions
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums and gallery spaces, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests. Interpret exhibits and objects and lead educational programs in museum spaces.
Assist staff with daily gallery operations.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Museum of Natural History & Science Volunteer

Volunteer Title: Museum of Natural History & Science Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: Explore natural history and science from the Ordovician Age to modern space exploration. Walk among dinosaurs, lead guests as they explore The Cave and Ice Age Gallery, voyage to space and so much more.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Museum Engagement department is the front-facing team across the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Children's Museum. The Museum Engagement team welcomes guests of every age, background and interest-level and creates meaningful experiences by engaging these guests in gallery-specific activities. Volunteers anticipate and meet guests at their point of need, answer wayfinding questions, interpret gallery spaces and present programs designed for our diverse audience.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (Museum of Natural History & Science) – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist guests in wayfinding throughout the Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museum and the Children's Museum.
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests. Interpret exhibits and objects and lead educational programs in museum spaces.
Assist staff with daily gallery operations.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Museum of Natural History & Science – engage guests with a variety of experiences in the galleries in topics of paleontology, geology, physical science, space and more!
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

The Children’s Museum Volunteer

Volunteer Title: The Children’s Museum Volunteer

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: In the Children's Museum, our volunteers help children and families learn through play! Engage with guests of all ages with play work. Help guests explore and introduce animals and their adaptations, simple machines and physics, imaginative play, role play, work on gross motor skills in the woods and kids at work.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s Museum Engagement department is the front-facing team across the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Children's Museum. The Museum Engagement team welcomes guests of every age, background and interest-level and creates meaningful experiences by engaging these guests in gallery-specific activities. Volunteers anticipate and meet guests at their point of need, answer wayfinding questions, interpret gallery spaces and present programs designed for our diverse audience.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (the Children's Museum) – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist guests in wayfinding throughout the Children's Museum.
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests. Interpret exhibits and objects and lead educational programs in museum spaces.
Assist staff with daily gallery operations.
Create safe learning environments and moments of discovery for guest of all ages and abilities.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Participate in regular training and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, safety procedure trainings, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
The Children’s Museum – engage guests by learning through play! Help to stimulate imagination, creativity and critical thinking skills in some of our youngest guests.
Work collaboratively with Museum Engagement and other CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.

Requirements:

Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged, teenagers and adult). Ability to engage vibrantly with guests of all ages is a must-have skill for museum volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture and/or early childhood education.
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Museum Engagement Managers

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity

Time Commitment:

Benefits: 40 hours per calendar year

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Animal Resources Bat Volunteer

Archaeology Volunteer

Department: Collections and Research

Status: Ongoing

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Archaeology Volunteer

Purpose: to assist in the processing, cataloging, data entry and analysis of archaeological collections, particularly pottery, bone, stone and botanical artifacts.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s archaeology collections document the prehistory and history of the central Ohio River Valley region and have their beginnings in the 1870s with the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. Collections include prehistoric and historic materials from the Museum’s own excavation and survey investigations, private and institutional collections, amateur excavations and surveys, as well as federally mandated public archaeology projects. The archaeology department furthers scientific and historical knowledge of past human societies for the benefit of the public through scholarly publications, presentations and exhibits that describe and interpret the archaeological record.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Processing archaeological specimens and samples.
Maintaining provenience control for cultural materials and records.
Analyzing a variety of artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, plant and animal remains.
Managing archaeological collections using a relational database.
Database management and entry.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Scheduling flexibility and capacity to notify supervisor of sudden absences.
Archaeological field and/or laboratory experience preferred.
Anthropology/Archaeology experience preferred.
Must be able to work as part of a team.
Must be able to perform technical work, make careful observations and record data legibly and accurately.
Must have strong organizational skills and be attentive to detail.
Must be able to lift weight of at least 25 pounds.

Reports to:
Bob Genheimer – The George Rieveschl Curator of Archaeology
Tyler Swinney – Manager, NAGPRA and Tribal Liaison

Time Commitment: Minimum 40 hours per calendar year.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations.
Discounts at food locations.
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures.
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience.

Dress Code: Casual. Clothes may get dusty/dirty.

Age Requirement, if any: Minimum – 18 years old

APPLY TODAY

BLINK Parade Production Volunteer

Department: Program Development & Program Delivery

Volunteer Title: BLINK Parade Production Volunteer

Purpose:
This position will assist the Manager, Creative Resources, Manager, Museum Engagement and Director, Program Development in the design and building of parade props for the BLINK Parade. The parade will occur on Thursday, October 13 in the evening. This role will help brainstorm ideas and work onsite with guests to create props. Some building could occur onsite without engaging the public, but it is our hope that we can build awareness to the event and create programming opportunities in KidSPACE through these collaborative hands-on projects.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s (CMC) Learning Team is made up of three departments: Community Engagement & Programs, School & Teacher Partnerships and Program Development.

In addition to the Learning Team, The Museum Engagement team oversees all gallery experiences and Guest Engagement operations in our three museums: CHM (Cincinnati History Museum, MNHS (Museum of Natural History & Science) and TCM (the Children’s Museum) and Featured Exhibits. Each team member works to ensure CMC reaches mission-based goals through strong customer service, representing collection pieces and program development and implementation.

The Program Development team researches and develops programming across all museums and spaces including our dynamic environments, KidSPACE, the STEM lab and History in the Making Classroom, as well as our historic costume shop. KidSPACE is an exhibit in the Children’s Museum where Science, Play, Art, Creativity and Exploration come to life through hands-on making, experimenting and tinkering. Our state-of-the art STEM Lab is a fully equipped science lab, with applications for chemistry, dissections and spectacular demonstrations. The History in the Making classroom serves as a complement to the Made in Cincinnati exhibit, where visitors can experiment with maker activities that relate to the content in the gallery. The costume shop holds all manner of replica and vintage historic clothing used for interpretation in the galleries by staff, primarily from the 1940s and 1850s-1870s time periods.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. History in the Making Classroom and KidSPACE located in the Cincinnati History Museum (CHM) and the Children’s Museum, respectively. Some office work as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist staff in researching, brainstorming, sketching and creating props for the BLINK Parade.
Assist in organizing materials and supplies.
Share skills with staff around equipment use, or provide information for staff to incorporate into programming, as needed.
Facilitate Blink Builds with guests, structuring the creation process in such a way as to include lots of helping hands.
Assist staff with a variety of BLINK Build programming elements, including setup, facilitation and cleanup of materials, if desired.
Work on larger prop builds, with or without guests, as needed.
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Participate in regular trainings and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, Seizure First Aid from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Support a Learning Through Play approach by stimulating imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged and adult). The ability to engage vibrantly with toddlers through empty nesters is a must-have skill for Museum Ambassadors and Track volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Familiar with building and creating techniques such as papier Mache, sewing, painting; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without a lot of supervision.
Ability to see an idea through, from conception to completion, without a lot of direct oversite.
Ability to create collaborative moments with guests, bringing them into the process of making.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Manager, Museum Engagement, and Director, Program Development

Length of Appointment: Short-term opportunity from July through October. Some weekends may be needed. Being a part of the parade on 10/13 is a plus, but not a requirement.

Time Commitment: Flexible, but preferably weekly between the months of July and October.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

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Cincinnati Heritage Programs Docent

Department: Cincinnati Heritage Programs

Status: Ongoing

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Cincinnati Heritage Programs Docent

Purpose: To inspire people to learn and appreciate the region’s history through tours and activities at Union Terminal and greater Cincinnati.

Background:
Cincinnati Heritage Programs (CHP) was founded in 1983 by the Cincinnati Historical Society to prepare tours for Cincinnati’s Bicentennial Celebration and to teach the public about the history of Cincinnati. CHP moved into Union Terminal when it became Cincinnati Museum Center in 1991. CHP consists of self-motivated and highly dedicated volunteers who act as ambassadors of Cincinnati history. The fellowship and knowledge shared by all in the association is synergistic and highly rewarding, as is the opportunity to meet event attendees, directors and volunteers of other historic and cultural institutions. CHP Docents are proud to be a part of CMC and through CHP events, meets and greets thousands of people per year.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:
The following responsibilities may vary depending on a Docent’s optional chosen committee. These responsibilities reflect the many options available to CHP Docents.

Attend the CHP’s monthly general membership meeting held on the 4th Monday of each month.
Docents may choose to become involved and active in one of the standing committees – the Speakers Bureau, the Tour Committee and the Executive Committee which meet on the consecutive Mondays in a month.
Lead a minimum of one weekend Union Terminal Rotunda Tour every-other month. These tours are held every Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Rotunda Tours tell the history of our National Historic Landmark.
Can choose to contribute to CHP projects, which may take several hours per week which can include travel time, research, tours, events and meetings at Union Terminal or other CMC properties and in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
The CHP docents conduct their own trainings and coordinates all of their activities with the assistance of several Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) departments.
CHP Docents create, organize and execute a variety of public and custom bus, walking and site visit tours per year based on the architecture, culture and history of the region. Docents collaborate with a variety of area museums, City of Cincinnati Engineers, Public Relations offices, National Historic Landmark Sites, religious institutions, Public Utilities sites and Educational Institutions to educate in an entertaining atmosphere.
Docents coordinate Cincinnati Tours for corporate, professional and club associations along with special interest groups visiting the city. The Cincinnati Visitor Bureau and City Hall have requested CHP’s professional assistance in acting as ambassadors to visitors from around the world.
CHP’s Speakers Bureau has created over 60 presentations on the history, culture and architecture of greater Cincinnati.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-record your contributed volunteer hours, register for required all-CMC trainings and access required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
If a CHP Docent is unable to fulfill an activity they have volunteered for, they are asked to find a substitute or contact the activity chair to find a replacement.
Lead a minimum of one weekend Union Terminal Rotunda Tour every-other month.
Reliable transportation to and from activities volunteer for, which may be at Union Terminal and may be at a location in the Greater Cincinnati Region.
Follow CMC protocols and safety standards and support guests/participants in following CMC safety standards.

CMC/CHP Staff Liaisons: Claire Pollock – Senior Director, CMC Community Engagement & Programs

Time Commitment: Minimum 4 hours per month.

Dress Code: Professional attire and a CHP docent badge.

Age Requirement, if any: CHP Docents must be at least 21 years of age.

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Cincinnati in Motion Volunteer

Collection Database & Printed Works Volunteer

Department: Collections & Research

Status: Ongoing

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Collection Database & Printed Works Volunteer

Purpose: Provides data entry support and assists with processing the Printed Works Collection.

Background:
The Collections & Research Division has three collection database systems (GeniePlus, ArchivEra and Argus) which are used for managing and cataloging the Museum Center’s collections. The Collection Database & Printed Works Volunteer assists the Senior History Curator and Technology Manager through data entry, proof reading, data cleanup and related tasks. The volunteer also assists with processing items in the Printed Works Collection.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Data entry in Microsoft Word and Excel and into the three collection database systems.
Proofing and verifying data on the screen and on hard-copy printouts.
Editing and performing data cleanup.
Sorting and labeling collection items.
Sorting, filing and retrieving papers and catalog cards.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences.
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent data entry/typing skills.
Ability to proof read and to identify anomalies.
Must be able to handle collections with care.
Must be able to lift weight of 10 pounds.
Must be able to push a cart loaded with 30 pounds.

Reports to: Anne Kling – Senior History Curator and Technology Manager

Time Commitment: A minimum of 4 hours per week during regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Office casual

Age Requirement, if any: Must be at least 18 years old.

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Collection Database Volunteer

Department: Collections & Research

Status: Ongoing

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Collection Database Volunteer

Purpose: Provides data entry support for the Collections.

Background:
The Collections & Research Division has three collection database systems (GeniePlus, ArchivEra and Argus) which are used for managing and cataloging the Museum Center’s collections. The Collection Database Volunteer assists the Senior History Curator and Technology Manager through data entry, proof reading, data cleanup and related tasks. Duties may also include handling or sorting collection items.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Data entry in Microsoft Word and Excel and into the three collection database systems.
Proofing and verifying data on the screen and on hard-copy printouts.
Editing and performing data cleanup.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences.
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent data entry skills.
Ability to proof read and to identify anomalies.
Must be able to handle collections with care.
Must be able to lift weight of 10 pounds.

Reports to: Anne Kling – Senior History Curator and Technology Manager

Time Commitment: A minimum of 4 hours per week during regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Office casual

Age Requirement, if any: Must be at least 18 years old.

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Donation Request Processing Volunteer

Exhibition Maintenance Support

Featured Exhibits Volunteer

Department: Featured Exhibits

Status: On-going

Term: Both long and short term volunteer opportunities available

Volunteer Title: Featured Exhibits Volunteer

Purpose: To welcome and interact with guests in featured exhibits.

Background:
The Featured Exhibits department oversees day-to-day operation of seasonal, temporary and traveling exhibits hosted by Cincinnati Museum Center. Exhibits cover a wide range of topics and disciplines including: history, archaeology, fashion, art, science, technology and much, much more. The featured exhibits spaces allow us to offer new and exciting exhibits alongside our newly renovated museums. There is always something new and exciting to learn and share with our guests.

Volunteers may sign up for every featured exhibit or just the ones that suit their interests.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Create a friendly and welcoming environment for all guests
Assist guests with wayfinding throughout the exhibit and the building
Maintain a safe environment for Cincinnati Museum Center guests and artifacts
Share information and insight relating to the content of the exhibit

Requirements:

Must attend a scheduled training session for each Featured Exhibit in which you wish to volunteer
Must be comfortable in crowded areas with a loud and/or hectic environment
Must be comfortable working in exhibits with low and special effect lighting

Reports to: Featured Exhibits Management Team

Time Commitment: Shifts are 3 hours starting in either the morning (9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.) or afternoon (12:45 to 3 p.m.). Volunteers can sign up for as many shifts as they choose.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Red CMC shirt with black/khaki dress pants, optional: grey CMC jacket may be worn on top of shirt and/or a black or white solid long sleeve shirt may be worn underneath the polo.

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Finance Volunteer

Greeter/Ticket Taker

Department: Guest Experience

Status: On-going

Volunteer Title: Greeter/Ticket Taker

Purpose: To help our guests make the most out of every visit, Volunteer Greeters/Ticket Takers assist the Guest Experience department by welcoming guests, answering questions and providing directions so that our guests can dive right into the epic experience that awaits them. They will also assist in providing superior customer service from first impressions to farewells by admitting guests and CMC Members into each of Cincinnati Museum Center’s three main museums and featured exhibit spaces.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Key Responsibilities:

Assisting the Guest Experience team to ensure that guests are directed to the correct line for their ticketing needs, such as member services, will call, or general tickets
Providing directions for guests, particularly the location of special exhibits, museum entrances, restrooms and food service
Covering lunch breaks for Guest Experience team by scanning tickets and membership cards at the entrance to the permanent museums and Featured Exhibits
Assisting any guests by generally being knowledgeable about what the Cincinnati Museum Center has to offer
Assisting staff in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all guests and model professional conduct, clarity and respect for all individuals and diverse points of view

Requirements:

Ability to stand or sit for one hour or more
Ability to navigate floors and walkways that are uneven and/or ramped due to the historic nature of Union Terminal
Occasional instances of lifting supplies may be necessary (items may weigh 10 pounds or more)
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services
Ability to notify Guest Experience of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Guest Experience Managers & Assistant Managers

Time Commitment: 2-4 Hours per volunteer shift (up to 8 hours if requested.) Some shifts may be all ticket taking or all greeting, some may be both.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: CMC red polo shirt, black or khaki pants or skirts, close-toed shoes. You may also wear a plain black or white long-sleeved shirt underneath your red CMC polo.

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History Objects/Fine Art Volunteer

Department: Collections and Research

Status: Unfilled/On-going

Term: Long-term/Short-term

Volunteer Title: History Objects/Fine Art Volunteer

Purpose: To assist in the inventory and processing of history objects and/or fine art collection.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s history objects collection consist of numerous smaller collections including artifacts related to politics, military, science & technology, industry, transportation, sports & recreation, religion, and Union Terminal. The fine art collection consists of more than 1,500 oil paintings, watercolors, prints, engravings, lithographs and sculptures. These pieces represent the people, sites, artists and the natural world around Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist with the inventory and processing of the history objects and fine art collections
Provenance research of source files and online resources
Photographing artifacts

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Proficiency with Word and Excel
Must have strong organizational skills and be attentive to detail
Willing to work independently and be self-motivated
Must be able to life weight of at least 25 pounds
Artifact handling experience preferred

Reports to: Curator of History Objects and Fine Art

Time Commitment: Minimum 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Casual

Age Requirement, if any: Minimum – 18 years old

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Holiday Junction Trainmaster

Volunteer Title: Holiday Junction Trainmaster

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

The statements below reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the major responsibilities of this position and are not to be construed as a detailed description of all of the position requirements that may be needed. An asterisk(*) indicates that this is an essential function of the position under as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in the operation of all the model train layouts included in Holiday Junction such as the DUKE Energy layout; the Lionel Super O layout; the Thomas & Friends castle display; pre WW2 layout and the Carlisle & Finch layout. This includes operating the controls, trouble shoot as needed and assist in maintenance.
Be engaging with the public as an exhibit interpreter answering questions and highlighting areas of interest.*
Follow all COVID-19 procedures in place at the time of the exhibit.*

Skills:

Customer Service skills; interpretation skills and having worked with children, school groups and challenged individuals a plus.
Must be able to handle multi-tasking.
Must have good interpersonal skills and be willing to work with a diverse group of people.*
Should be self-motivated and be able to work without close supervision.*
Prior customer service experience and having worked on model trains a plus.

Requirements:

Minimum Education required

Time Commitment: There are both morning and/or afternoon shifts available. Signing up for shifts is done via BETTER IMPACT. The Volunteer office will provide training to access the BETTER IMPACT website. Working at least 2 shifts per week is preferred.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

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Volunteer Lunch Table Attendant

Department: Guest Experience

Status: On-going

Volunteer Title: Volunteer Lunch Table Attendant

Purpose: To help our groups make the most out of their field trips, Volunteer Lunch Table Attendants assist the Guest Experience department by supervising our school group lunch tables to ensure the space is reserved for groups at their scheduled times.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assisting the Guest Experience team to ensure that groups adhere to their lunch schedules.
Maintaining lunch tables as an area reserved for designated groups, directing other guests to the dining room.
Providing directions for guests, particularly the location of special exhibits, museum entrances, restrooms and food service.
Assisting all guests by generally being knowledgeable about what the Cincinnati Museum Center has to offer.
Assisting staff in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all guests and model professional conduct, clarity and respect for all individuals and diverse points of view.

Requirements:

Ability to stand for one hour or more.
Ability to navigate floors and walkways that are uneven and/or ramped due to the historic nature of Union Terminal.
Occasional instances of lifting supplies may be necessary (items may weigh 10 pounds or more).
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify Guest Experience of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Guest Experience Managers & Assistant Managers

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per volunteer shift (up to 8 hours if requested)

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: CMC red polo shirt, black or khaki pants or skirts, close-toed shoes. You may wear a plain black or white long-sleeve shirt underneath your red CMC polo.

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Volunteer (or Intern) for Exhibits – Model Shop

Oversized Image Inventory, Rehousing and Indexing Volunteer

Department: Photographs, Prints and Media (History)

Volunteer Title: Oversized Image Inventory, Rehousing and Indexing Volunteer

Purpose: These volunteer positions will assist the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media with the inventory, rehousing and indexing of the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Oversized Media Collection. This includes, but is bot limited to; photographs, posters (campaign, movie, theatre, music, etc.), broadsides and lithographic prints. As part of this volunteer project, you will learn proper handling techniques, storage and preservation best practices, help rethink and repackage outdated indexing language to include a more inclusive narrative for the collection holdings and you will help make these hidden collections accessible to future patrons and researchers.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s (CMC) Photographs, Prints and Media Collection contains a multitude of materials ranging from photographic prints and negatives to original reel to reel recordings – truly almost any form of media you can imagine is here in our repository’s holdings. Media is a format that needs extra care and preservation techniques applied when caring for these items and the CMC’s team is dedicated to proper preservation and best practice care of our materials. The CMC is also an organization working to make their collection holdings more accessible to all – and the work completed in this volunteer project will help ensure that these collections are properly cared for and accessible for current and future generations of Cincinnatians.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventorying oversized image collection – This includes identifying items with multiple themes, topics and mediums/formats – PLEASE NOTE: Some topics, language and subject themes may be offensive or sensitive in nature.
Rehouse oversized image collection – Identify condition for each item, place in new acid-free sleeves, write identifying information on outer sleeves, etc.
Work on creating metadata (data about data – i.e. place names, clothing identifiers, business names, addresses, etc.) for oversized image indexing project – This will be done in conjunction with inventorying processes – Volunteer laptops will be provided for indexing and inventory project needs.
Possible photographing and/or scanning of images.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Participate in regular trainings and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, Seizure First Aid from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.

Requirements:

Familiarity with handling collection objects of various sizes and formats; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Ability to handle and lift items that may be in delicate and/or very fragile conditions; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
This project is a team project – must be willing to work as a team with one other person and apply proper techniques together to ensure the safety of the objects being handled and rehoused
Understanding of basic metadata structures (Dublin Core); or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Knowledge of 19th and 20th Century Cincinnati history a plus!
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Ability to see an idea through, from conception to completion, without a lot of direct oversite.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Manager and the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media

Length of Appointment: 1x weekly for one-year or possibly longer – Volunteer hours are flexible and can be arranged with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media, but will traditionally fall in the timeframe between 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Time Commitment: Flexible, but preferably weekly – start date anticipated for January 2023, but can be flexible by pre-arranging with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+. Prior collection handling experience a plus but not required.

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Paul Briol Negative Rehousing and Metadata Project Volunteer

Department: Photographs, Prints and Media (History)

Volunteer Title: Paul Briol Negative Rehousing and Metadata Project Volunteer

Purpose: This volunteer position will assist the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media with the rehousing, indexing and metadata descriptions needed for The Paul Briol Negative Collection conservation project. This includes but is not limited to; learning proper handling techniques, following permanent storage and long-term preservation best practices, creating metadata according to the archival Dublin Core standards, helping to rethink and repackage outdated indexing language to include a more inclusive narrative for the collection holdings and helping to make this collection accessible to future patrons and researchers.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center (760 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH 45203) – This will be a volunteer position that will regularly take place in the collection’s space; however, some typing, scanning and other computer work will be part of these positions and may be done in an office/cubicle setting.

Key Responsibilities:

Creating metadata for each negative following standard Dublin Core archival practices. PLEASE NOTE: Some topics, language and subject themes may be offensive or sensitive in nature.
Rehouse collection for permanent storage and long-term preservation best practices – Identify condition for each item, place in new acid-free sleeves, write identifying information on outer sleeves, etc. PLEASE NOTE: Some negatives may be in poor condition and may be in nitrate format. Proper handling and housing are essential when working with nitrate and this volunteer will be working in conjunction with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media on this project.
Possible photographing and/or scanning of images.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Participate in regular trainings and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, Seizure First Aid from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.

Requirements:

Familiarity with handling collection objects of various sizes and formats; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Ability to handle and lift items that may be in delicate and/or very fragile conditions; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Understanding of basic metadata structures (Dublin Core); or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Knowledge of 19th and 20th Century Cincinnati history a plus!
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Ability to see an idea through, from conception to completion, without a lot of direct oversite.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Manager and the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media

Length of Appointment: Once per week for one-year (possibly longer.) Volunteer hours are flexible and can be arranged with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media, but will traditionally fall in the timeframe of 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Time Commitment: Flexible, but preferably weekly. Start date anticipated for January 2023, but can be flexible by pre-arranging with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+. Prior collection handling experience required.

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Philanthropy Volunteer

Paleontology Collections Volunteer – Objects

Department: Invertebrate/Vertebrate Paleontology

Status: Unfilled

Term: On-going

Volunteer Title: Paleontology Collections Volunteer – Objects

Purpose: The position of the Paleontology Collections Volunteer will support the Paleontology Collections Manager and the Curators of Invertebrate and Vertebrate Paleontology through assigned projects.

Background:
The paleontology collections may be the Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC)’s most extensive collection, totaling over 100,000 specimen lots and over 1 million individual specimens. Although all paleontology specimens are housed together, the collection was formally divided into invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology collections in 1986 and a separate paleobotany collection was formed in 2018.

The paleontology department furthers scientific and historical knowledge by conducting an internationally recognized collection-based research program; maintaining research and educational collections of local and exotic fossil material; building a database of occurrence and taxonomic data of research material; contributing specimen data to the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) for public access; acting as a repository for orphaned collections; and educating the scientific and public community through scholarly publications, presentations and exhibits that describe and interpret the geological and paleontological record.

As a Paleontology Collections Volunteer, you will assist with the goals of the Cincinnati Museum Center, with a focus on the area of paleontology, specifically, that of collections processing. You will be educated in various aspects of collections processing – with a focus on locating, handling, organizing and labeling specimens – in order to provide a valuable educational resource on fossils and Earth history for both professionals and amateurs alike throughout the Ohio Valley region.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Demonstrate proper specimen handling techniques to ensure the preservation of important fossil material
Learn proper specimen cataloging procedure and assist in various stages of the cataloging process
Locate fossil specimens in collection that require numbering and hand-number specimens to secure link between specimens and their associated data
Maintain a high level of organization, allowing for easy navigation of collection specimens and photographs
Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Interest in the geologic sciences and life history
Welcoming, positive personality
Punctuality – maintain regular schedule
Problem-solving and organizational skills
Self-motivated and goal-oriented
Ability to communicate and collaborate with team members
Capacity to work alone for prolonged periods of time
Must be able to lift ~25 lbs. or more
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
*Bonus: Experience with photography
*Bonus: Experience in Adobe Photoshop (or similar software)

Reports to:
Cameron Schwalbach – Paleontology Collections Manager
Dr. Brenda Hunda – Invertebrate Paleontology Curator
Dr. Glenn Storrs – Vertebrate Paleontology Curator

Time Commitment: The Paleontology Collections Volunteer will work according to their availability, but between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. The Geier Collections Facility is not open evenings or weekends. While the position is flexible, the maintenance of a regular schedule (approved by a supervisor) is essential. A weekly time commitment is required. Shifts can be from 2-8 hours and must fall within normal operating hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Once approved, schedule details will be discussed with your supervisor.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Closed-toe shoes, long pants.

Age Requirement, if any: Must be 18 years of age or older.

APPLY TODAY

Inventory and Rehousing Project for the Photographs, Prints and Media Collection

Department: Photographs, Prints and Media (History)

Volunteer Title: Inventory and Rehousing Project for the Photographs, Prints and Media Collection

Purpose: These volunteer positions will assist the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media with the inventory and rehousing of the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Photographs, Prints and Media Collection. This includes, but is not limited to; photographs, prints, negatives, digital media and audio-visual media such as moving image and sound recordings. As part of this volunteer project, you will learn proper handling techniques, storage and preservation best practices, help rethink and repackage outdated indexing language to include a more inclusive narrative for the collection holdings and you will help make these hidden collections accessible to future patrons and researchers.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center (760 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH 45203) – These will be volunteer positions that will regularly take place in the collection’s space; however, some typing, scanning and other computer work will be part of these positions and may be done in an office/cubicle setting. Limited offsite work at Union Terminal and Morgan Street may be required as well. Any offsite work the volunteer will do will always be accompanied by the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventorying Photographs, Prints and Media collection – This includes identifying items with multiple themes, topics and mediums/ formats. PLEASE NOTE: Some topics, language and subject themes may be offensive or sensitive in nature.
Rehouse collections as needed – Identify condition for each item, place in new acid-free sleeves, write identifying information on outer sleeves, etc.
Possible photographing and/or scanning of images.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Participate in regular trainings and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, Seizure First Aid from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.

Requirements:

Familiarity with handling collection objects of various sizes and formats; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
Ability to handle and lift items that may be in delicate and/or very fragile conditions; or a willingness to learn and directly apply without continued supervision.
This project is a team project – must be willing to work as a team with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media and apply proper techniques together to ensure the safety of the objects being handled and rehoused.
Knowledge of 19th and 20th Century Cincinnati history a plus!
Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Ability to see an idea through, from conception to completion, without a lot of direct oversite.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Manager and the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media

Length of Appointment: Once per for one-year (possibly longer). Volunteer hours are flexible and can be arranged with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media, but will traditionally fall in the timeframe between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Time Commitment: Flexible, but preferably weekly. Start date anticipated for January 2023, but can be flexible by pre-arranging with the Curator of Photographs, Prints and Media.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+. Prior collection handling experience a plus but not required.

APPLY TODAY

School Programs Supply Assembly Volunteer

Department: School and Teacher Partnership

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: School Programs Supply Assembly Volunteer

Purpose: To assist with the creation and branding of Programs on Wheels and Programs at Union Terminal consumables.

Background:
The School and Teacher Partnerships (STP) team provides over 1200 programs a year, reaching more than 30,000 individuals in the Tri-state and beyond. Programs-on-Wheels travel mainly within a 125-mile radius of Union Terminal, though we occasionally venture beyond this range. The STP team also offers educational programs as added activities for groups coming on field trips to CMC. Over 40 different programs – spanning a variety of science and social studies topics – are available as Programs on Wheels and Programs at Union Terminal, with target audience ranging in age from 3 years to adults. Some of these programs utilize consumable materials such as kits or take-home projects or prizes. To provide additional visibility for CMC, any consumables that go home with students are branded by stamp or sticker.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assembly of a variety of consumable materials. Some examples include: assembling cups and bags into chemistry kits, measuring powdered polymer for insta-snow, stringing beads on pipe cleaners and cutting out Ellison shapes
Branding of the above materials by CMC sticker or stamp

Requirements:

Must be comfortable completing redundant tasks in a seated or standing position. (Volunteers are welcome to work in our storage area or a conference room, both enclosed spaces which allow for listening to music, podcasts, etc. while working.)
Must be comfortable working independently after receiving basic task directions

Reports to: Valerie Horobik, School and Teacher Partnership team

Time Commitment: Variable; flexible. Up to 10 hours/month with no set schedule

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

APPLY TODAY

Supply Assembly Volunteer

Department: School and Teacher Partnership

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Supply Assembly Volunteer

Purpose: To assist with the creation and branding of Programs on Wheels and Programs at Union Terminal consumables.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assembly of a variety of consumable materials. Some examples include: assembling cups and bags into chemistry kits, measuring powdered polymer for insta-snow, stringing beads on pipe cleaners and cutting out Ellison shapes.
Branding of the above materials by CMC sticker or stamp.

Requirements:

Must be comfortable completing redundant tasks in a seated or standing position. (Volunteers are welcome to work in our storage area or a conference room, both enclosed spaces which allow for listening to music, podcasts, etc. while working.)
Must be comfortable working independently after receiving basic task directions.

Reports to: Valerie Horobik, School and Teacher Partnership team

Time Commitment: Variable; flexible. Up to 10 hours/month with no set schedule

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

APPLY TODAY

History in the Making/Costume Shop Volunteer

Department: Museum Experience

Volunteer Title: History in the Making/Costume Shop Volunteer

Purpose: This position will assist the Manager, Creative Resources in organizing materials and supplies for the suit of programming in the History in the Making classroom. This position will also use their expertise to help create content, share skills and train staff on maker equipment. When ready, this position can be scheduled in the History in the Making classroom and assist in facilitating maker experiences for guests. In addition to the Maker programming, this position can support the Historical Costume Shop through overseeing the care of our costume collections. Duties may include mending, cleaning, or designing/sewing historically appropriate costumes. This is primarily a back of house position, however if needed or interested this position can assist with programming or on the floor of the Cincinnati History Museum.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s (CMC) Learning Team is made up of three departments: Community Engagement & Programs, School & Teacher Partnerships and Program Development.

The Program Development team researches and develops programming across all museums and spaces including our dynamic environments, KidSPACE , the STEM lab and History in the Making Classroom, as well as our historic costume shop. KidSPACE is an exhibit in The Children’s Museum where Science, Play, Art, Creativity and Exploration come to life through hands-on making, experimenting and tinkering. Our state-of-the art STEM Lab is a fully equipped science lab, with applications for chemistry, dissections and spectacular demonstrations. The History in the Making classroom serves as a complement to the Made in Cincinnati exhibit, where visitors can experiment with maker activities that relate to the content in the gallery. The costume shop holds all manner of replica and vintage historic clothing used for interpretation in the galleries by staff, primarily from the 1940s and 1850s-1870s time periods.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203. History in the Making Classroom, located in the Cincinnati History Museum (CHM), some office work as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist staff in researching developing programming related to Cincinnati History, Made in Cincinnati, and maker education in general.
Assist in organizing materials and supplies.
Share skills with staff around equipment use, create user guides, or provide information for staff to incorporate into programming.
Learn how to use a variety of maker equipment including looms, sewing machines, printmaking, kilns, and other tools; safely.
Organize, mend, clean and maintain selected items from our historic costume collection.
Assist staff with a variety of programming elements, including setup, facilitation, and cleanup of materials, if desired.
Engage effectively and vibrantly with guests in all CMC museums, cultivate memorable experiences and create a sense of radical welcome for all guests.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Participate in regular trainings and professional development as able – examples of past trainings include lectures in history and science, Seizure First Aid from Epilepsy Alliance Ohio, new gallery updates, etc.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Support a Learning Through Play approach by stimulating imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families.
Work collaboratively with other Learning and CMC team members to create a cohesive and comprehensive visitor experience across CMC galleries using CMC’s Learning Framework.
As needed, provide additional support for other Learning initiatives.
Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair, or other mobility assistance – please note that this is a very large historic building!

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged and adult). The ability to engage vibrantly with toddlers through empty nesters is a must-have skill for Museum Ambassadors and Track volunteers.
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Experience teams.
Willingness to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history, culture, and early childhood education.
Willingness to research and learn how to use equipment for maker programming.
Ability to sew is preferred.

Reports to: Volunteer & Intern Services, Manager, Creative Resources; Evan Lewis.

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity, or short-term based on specific project need or area of expertise.

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Program Delivery Volunteer: History in the Making

Department: Museum Engagement/Program Development

Volunteer Title: Program Delivery Volunteer: History in the Making

Purpose: To engage guests by facilitating educational floor programming, sharing skills and facilitating playful learning experiences that allow children to express themselves creatively, dive deeper into understanding science concepts and gain perspective into regional history. This role will primarily serve to activate the History in the Making classroom through a suite of programing experience developed around woodworking, textiles, printmaking, etc. or facilitating programming in our gallery spaces.

Background:
The Museum Engagement team oversees all experiences and operations in our three museums (CHM, MNHS and TCM). Each team member works to ensure CMC reaches mission-based goals through strong customer service, representing collection pieces and program development and implementation.

Program delivery occurs across all museums in our KidSPACE exhibit and STEM lab and our upcoming History in the Making Classroom. KidSPACE is an exhibit in the Children’s Museum where Science, Play, Art, Creativity and Exploration come to life through hands-on making, experimenting and tinkering. Our state-of-the art STEM Lab is a fully equipped science lab, with applications for chemistry, dissections and spectacular demonstrations.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Assist staff with a variety of programming elements, including setup, facilitation and cleanup of materials.
Shadow and learn program delivery techniques from Museum Engagement Specialists and Coordinators and when necessary, Program Development team.
Deliver facilitated experiences and programming related to STEM, History, creative play and making. Some programs happen in galleries on a cart, others are in a classroom. All programs are drop-in style and open to all ages and guests.
Demonstrate safe tool use, monitor equipment and programming materials to ensure guest safety.
Willingness to learn and practice programming content and facilitation techniques, open to implementing feedback into program delivery.
Support a Learning Through Play approach by stimulating imagination, creativity and critical thinking in children and families and cultivate memorable experiences that create a sense of radical welcome for all guests.
Learn new things and dig deeper into gallery content.
Create safe learning environments for all abilities.
Embody CMC’s Quality Standards: Credible, Effective, Engaging, Welcoming and Safe.
Assist guests in wayfinding throughout the building.
Be prepared to travel between museums within the building or galleries via walking, motorized chair or other mobility assist – please note that this is a very large historic building!

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Ability to notify museum managers of sudden absences by calling a designated call-off number.
Ability to use age-appropriate engagement techniques for a variety of age groups (toddler, school-aged and adult).
Attend series of trainings to be scheduled at discretion of Volunteer & Intern Services/Museum Engagement teams.
Willing to learn a variety of subjects including topics in the sciences, Cincinnati history and early childhood education.
Willingness to learn different tool and making processes and creative applications and approaches to incorporating them into programming.

Reports to: Manger, Volunteer & Intern Services; Museum Engagement team; Program Development team

Length of Appointment: Long-term opportunity – due to extensive training, we ask for a minimum 1 year commitment.

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code:

All staff, whether paid or volunteer, should follow the museum uniform policy when working in museum galleries or when working with guests directly.
All staff, whether paid or volunteer, must display name badge on their shirt or on a lanyard. Badge must be visible at all times.
A current CMC branded shirt that is clean and neat in appearance should be always worn on the museum floor. A long-sleeved shirt in either black or white may be worn under a CMC branded uniform shirt.
Only CMC branded jackets/fleeces should be worn over uniform shirts.
Shirts featuring exhibits, OMNIMAX^® films, or events that are no longer available to the public are considered out of uniform.
Pants, shorts and skirts may be worn and must be either solid black or solid khaki in color. Denim/jean material is acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be at least mid-thigh in length. Leggings without skirts or shorts are considered out of uniform.
These policies apply any time you represent CMC at Union Terminal, in the community on behalf of CMC, or are otherwise wearing a CMC branded shirt in public.

Age Requirement, if any: 18+

APPLY TODAY

Zoology Data Entry Volunteer

Department: Collections and Research

Status: On-going

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Zoology Data Entry Volunteer

Purpose: To assist Zoology staff in a long-term effort to digitize collection holdings for access by the global research community and the public.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s zoology collections include birds, mammals, herps (reptiles/amphibians), fish, insects and shells. These collections include both dry and fluid preserved collections, with some specimens dating back over 100 years. Collections are managed for both research and education purposes, as well as potential exhibit. Volunteers are critical to help museum staff keep up with daily activities in the collections.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Transcribing data from paper catalogs to digital format (currently Excel, but will ultimately use the museum’s internal database system).
Updating outdated species designations to match current taxonomic assignments.
For some collections, catalog data are incomplete, so volunteers must access original field notes and catalogs to collect specimen information.
Linking digital images of specimens to their electronic records.
Assist in electronic record keeping for the collection.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Scheduling flexibility and capacity to notify supervisor of sudden absences.
Must be able to work as part of a team.
Must be able to perform technical work, make careful observations and record data legibly and accurately.
Must have strong organizational skills and be attentive to detail.
Must be able to lift weight of at least 25 pounds.

Reports to:
Dr. Heather Farrington – Curator of Zoology
Dr. Emily Imhoff – Zoology Collections Manager

Time Commitment: Minimum 40 hours per calendar year.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Casual – clothes may get dusty/dirty

Age Requirement, if any: Minimum – 18 years old

APPLY TODAY

Zoology Volunteer

Department: Collections and Research

Status: On-going

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Zoology Volunteer

Purpose: To assist in the daily operations of the zoology department including, processing, cataloging, data entry and on-going care/maintenance of zoology collections and cleaning/organizing of collection and laboratory areas.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Preparing animal carcasses for inclusion in the collection.
Maintaining catalog records.
Monitor collections for evidence of pests, mold, damaged housing (cabinets, jars, etc.), missing labels, etc.
Helping museum staff to keep work and collection areas clean and well-organized.
Assist in electronic record keeping for the collection.
Assist staff in preparation of specimens for loans and/or exhibits.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Scheduling flexibility and capacity to notify supervisor of sudden absences.
Must be able to work as part of a team.
Must be able to perform technical work, make careful observations and record data legibly and accurately.
Must have strong organizational skills and be attentive to detail.
Must be able to lift weight of at least 25 pounds.

Reports to:
Dr. Heather Farrington – Curator of Zoology
Dr. Emily Imhoff – Zoology Collections Manager

Time Commitment: Minimum 40 hours per calendar year.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Casual – clothes may get dusty/dirty

Age Requirement, if any: Minimum – 18 years old

APPLY TODAY

Zoology Study Skin Preparator

Department: Collections and Research

Status: On-going

Term: Long-term

Volunteer Title: Zoology Study Skin Preparator

Purpose: To assist Zoology staff in clearing the backlog of bird and mammal specimens that need to be prepared for inclusion in the collection.

Background:
Cincinnati Museum Center’s zoology collections include birds, mammals, herps (reptiles/amphibians), fish, insects, and shells. These collections include both dry and fluid preserved collections, with some specimens dating back over 100 years. Collections are managed for both research and education purposes, as well as potential exhibit. Volunteers are critical to help museum staff keep up with daily activities in the collections.

Location: Geier Collections and Research Center – 760 West Fifth St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Preparing animal carcasses for inclusion in the collection – including preparation of skins, spread wings, skeletal material and/or tissue samples.
Helping to maintain freezer inventories and log in new specimen donations.
Assist in maintaining our skeleton prep facility by monitoring/caring for our dermestid beetle colony and/or maceration set-up.
Maintaining catalog/electronic records for prepared specimens.
Rotating specimens through freezer quarantine and filing newly prepared specimens into permanent storage.

Requirements:

Ability to access MyImpactPage.com (MIP) to self-manage your volunteer schedule and required training materials or otherwise arrange access through Volunteer & Intern Services.
Scheduling flexibility and capacity to notify supervisor of sudden absences.
Must be able to work as part of a team.
Must be able to perform technical work, make careful observations and record data legibly and accurately.
Must have strong organizational skills and be attentive to detail.
Must be able to lift weight of at least 25 pounds.

Reports to:
Dr. Heather Farrington – Curator of Zoology
Dr. Emily Imhoff – Zoology Collections Manager

Time Commitment: 40 hours per calendar year.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: Casual – clothes may get dusty/dirty

Age Requirement, if any: Minimum – 18 years old

APPLY TODAY

Greeter

Department: Guest Experience

Purpose: To help our guests make the most out of every visit, Teen Volunteer Greeters assist the Guest Experience department by welcoming guests, answering questions and providing directions so that our guests can dive right into the epic experience that awaits them.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Provide orientation, guidance and assistance to guests, Members and groups through general information, pricing, events schedule, etc. help them plan their day for the most meaningful experience possible.
Assisting the Guest Experience team to ensure that guests are directed to the correct line for their ticketing needs, such as member services, will call, or general tickets.
Providing directions for guests, particularly the location of special exhibits, museum entrances, restrooms and food service.
Assisting any guests by generally being knowledgeable about what the Cincinnati Museum Center has to offer.

Requirements:

Must be at least 16 years old.
Guest relations and interpersonal skills including interfacing with diverse audiences and a welcoming, friendly personality.
Ability to follow direction, remain flexible, maintain composure.
Ability to stand or sit for one hour or more.
Ability to navigate floors and walkways that are uneven and/or ramped due to the historic nature of Union Terminal.

Time Commitment: 2 – 4 hours per volunteer shift. Minimum 30 hours per school year. Summer volunteer opportunities will be available.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: CMC uniform shirt, black, khaki or denim pants or skirts with no rips or holes, close-toed shoes.

APPLY TODAY

Museum Wayfinder

Department: Museum Engagement

Purpose: To help our guests make the most out of every visit, Teen Volunteer Museum Wayfinders assist the Museum Engagement department by welcoming guests, providing directions in the museums and answering questions so that our guests can have an epic experience.

Location: Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal – 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Key Responsibilities:

Provide orientation, guidance and assistance to guests, Members and groups through general information, providing directions in museums and exhibits, answering questions, etc.
Assisting the Museum Engagement team to ensure that guests are directed to the correct area and are more easily able to find their way around the museums and exhibits.
Providing directions for guests, particularly the location of exhibits, restrooms, amenities, accessible pathways, etc.
Assisting any guests by generally being knowledgeable about what the Cincinnati Museum Center has to offer.

Requirements:

Must be at least 16 years old.
Guest relations and interpersonal skills including interfacing with diverse audiences and a welcoming, friendly personality.
Ability to follow direction, remain flexible, maintain composure.
Ability to stand or sit for one hour or more.
Ability to navigate floors and walkways that are uneven and/or ramped due to the historic nature of Union Terminal.

Time Commitment: 2 – 4 hours per volunteer shift. Minimum 30 hours per school year. Summer volunteer opportunities will be available.

Benefits:

Free admission to all permanent CMC exhibits and access to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Free parking at Cincinnati Museum Center locations
Discounts at food locations
Invitations to select exhibit previews, special events and lectures
Professional development, training opportunities and work experience

Dress Code: CMC uniform shirt, black, khaki or denim pants or skirts with no rips or holes, close-toed shoes.

APPLY TODAY

Slide

“When people ask me why I volunteer at Cincinnati Museum Center, I just tell them that I get a lot more than I can ever give back... Cincinnati Museum Center is just one more nice asset the City of Cincinnati can brag about."

Slide

“I have been with the Paleo Lab since 2000 and still every bone is a new challenge due to different states of preservation. I enjoy working for Dr. Storrs and have learned so much from him but I think the real importance of not only my work but of the whole museum is to bring to the public the sense of wonder and discovery that science presents in our everyday lives."

Slide

“Volunteering is all about meeting new people, learning new things, helping organizations and having fun."

Slide

“I have found volunteering with Cincinnati Heritage Programs at CMC to be both fun and rewarding; I love showcasing the iconic Art Deco building to museum visitors."

Slide

“I have been able to get hands on animal care experience with the colony of big brown bats that lives at the Museum Center, I have also had the opportunity to expand my knowledge about bats, educate families that visit CMC about our bat neighbors and develop new connections that have been beneficial to not only my master's degree program but also my everyday work."

Slide

“I love volunteering for several reasons; I feel that I am a small part of the team that works endlessly to make science and history accessible and fun for everyone. I love inspiring the great minds of tomorrow and it gives me hope that one day they will be the ones who continue to make a difference on our planet. I'm so glad that I took the leap and applied to volunteer at CMC!"

Museum Ambassador Program (MAP)

All museum gallery volunteers begin here!

We need welcoming, informed, guest-oriented and engaging Museum Ambassadors to make a difference in our visitors’ experience.

Every volunteer begins by learning about our Quality Standards, welcoming everyone we interact with and maintaining a safe and clean environment for our guests. Spend time across all our museums, from our late-Jurassic Galeamopus to our historical Public Landing or help our smallest guests in Little Sprouts Farm. The ability to engage vibrantly with toddler through high-school ages is a must-have skill for Museum Ambassadors and Track volunteers.

Looking to dive a little deeper, to work along our educational team in learning and interpretation? After you complete the Museum Ambassador training, you may choose to continue growing your volunteer experience by selecting one of three museum tracks.

Gallery Activities Track

Love sharing your knowledge of science, art and Cincinnati history to guests of all ages? Gallery track volunteers work alongside staff to deliver quality programs to families, adults and children of all ages. After completing MAP, you will be introduced to simple, easily-presented concepts for guests. You’ll then continue working with our team to deliver more-complex, object-based and hands-on learning experiences for our guests. With advance training, you may even have the opportunity to handle our live animals!

Shows & Interpretation Track

Do you love to dress in period costumes? Are science stage-shows your jam? Does the thought of being on a stage float your boat? Volunteers in this track work closely with our staff to deliver quality exhibit interpretations by giving context and a personal touch to the information presented. With additional training, volunteers may dress out in period clothing, recite short scripts or plays, deliver engaging storytelling or assist with our spectacular science stage shows. Behind-the-scenes help is welcome for those with costume repair and script-writing experience.

Labs & Maker Track

Are you overflowing with creative ideas? Do you love bringing looks of awe and wonder to guests’ faces through hands-on activities? Curiosity and the inclination for experimentation are traits that artists and scientists share. Volunteers in this track facilitate open-ended, process-based experiences in our creative play lab KidSPACE, conduct experiments in our STEM lab and dive deep into historical Cincinnati makers in our History in the Making Classroom. You will work alongside our staff to take your talents in science, art and making to the next level with our guests.

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Guest & Member Services Volunteers

Featured Exhibits Volunteers

Corporate Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a vital part of our institution

Benefits

Volunteer Opportunities

Human Resources Special Projects Assistant

KidSPACE Volunteer

Young at Art Volunteer

Museum Engagement Volunteer

Featured Exhibitions Volunteer

Museum of Natural History & Science Volunteer

The Children’s Museum Volunteer

Animal Resources Bat Volunteer

Archaeology Volunteer

BLINK Parade Production Volunteer

Cincinnati Heritage Programs Docent

Cincinnati in Motion Volunteer

Collection Database & Printed Works Volunteer

Collection Database Volunteer

Donation Request Processing Volunteer

Exhibition Maintenance Support

Featured Exhibits Volunteer

Finance Volunteer

Greeter/Ticket Taker

History Objects/Fine Art Volunteer

Holiday Junction Trainmaster

Volunteer Lunch Table Attendant

Volunteer (or Intern) for Exhibits – Model Shop

Oversized Image Inventory, Rehousing and Indexing Volunteer

Paul Briol Negative Rehousing and Metadata Project Volunteer

Philanthropy Volunteer

Paleontology Collections Volunteer – Objects

Inventory and Rehousing Project for the Photographs, Prints and Media Collection

School Programs Supply Assembly Volunteer

Supply Assembly Volunteer

History in the Making/Costume Shop Volunteer

Program Delivery Volunteer: History in the Making

Zoology Data Entry Volunteer

Zoology Volunteer

Zoology Study Skin Preparator

Teenage Volunteer Opportunities

Greeter

Museum Wayfinder

Volunteer Milestones

5 Years

10 Years

15 Years

20 Years

25 Years

35 Years

40 Years

45 Years

School and Teacher Partnerships

Museum Ambassador Program (MAP)

Gallery Activities Track

Shows & Interpretation Track

Labs & Maker Track

Guest & Member Services Volunteers

Greeter

Discovery Attendant

Featured Exhibits Volunteers

Corporate Volunteers

Questions?

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Internships

Youth Program Volunteers

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WORK WITH US

ATTRACTIONS

Volunteer
Opportunities

Volunteer
Opportunities

Volunteer
Opportunities