Options for Volunteers:
Volunteer at the Virginia Living Museum
Volunteers and interns can be found across the Museum, assisting with engaging guests, providing care to the animals, and participating in conservation projects. They give their time and talents to ensure the success of our non-profit organization, supporting the Museum’s mission to protect what’s precious.
Whether you enjoy working with the public, engaging with plant and animal life, or are seeking to acquire skills in marketing and fundraising, the Virginia Living Museum has a role for you!
We are seeking enthusiastic and dependable people, regardless of background and experience. Check out more details below and head to our Current Volunteer Positions to apply.
Join Our Volunteer Team
To join the Virginia Living Museum as a volunteer you must:
- Be at least 15 years old to volunteer alone. Volunteers aged 11 – 14 are eligible for Family Volunteering. Parental permission is required for volunteers under 18.
- Have an interest in conservation and the natural world
- Be enthusiastic, friendly and dependable
- Complete General Orientation
- Be able to commit to regularly scheduled shifts for a minimum of 3 months. Alternate schedules are available for Special Event Volunteers
- Have reliable transportation to and from the Museum.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Free admission to Museum for volunteers meeting monthly service minimum
- Some limited reciprocal admission to local attractions after 50 hours of service
- Museum discounts
- Free events and professional development seminars on topics such as animal care and welfare, veterinary sciences, animal enrichment, native plants etc
- Letters of reference for school or job applications
- Course credits through internships
- Skill-building and networking opportunities
- An opportunity to enhance your employer’s standing in the community
- Recognition awards and Museum publications
- Satisfaction of helping others – the opportunity to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Volunteer Shifts
We are open 7 days a week, with a variety of shifts that range from 2 – 4 hours. Shifts for volunteers in Animal Welfare are 9AM – 1PM or 1 – 5PM each day. Special exhibits or rental events may have evening hours available.
More Details
Time commitment: Volunteers are expected to work at minimum two shifts per month, for at least 3 months. Interns are expected to work at least 10 hours a week for a period of 12 weeks. Please see the Internships page for more details.
Expectations: As a VLM Volunteer, you are an important part of the team. As such, departments require notification of absences as early as possible, and no later than 48 hours before a shift (other than emergencies). Animal Care volunteers are only allowed 1 call out per month (with exceptions for emergencies and illness)
Training: All accepted volunteers and interns will complete an orientation before or on their start date. Department-specific training will also be provided.
Uniforms: All VLM volunteers and interns are required to wear an official VLM uniform. You have the option of wearing a VLM smock or purchasing a uniform shirt.
Volunteer placement at the Virginia Living Museum is subject to an official position offer, space availability, and completion of General Orientation. Parent or guardian permission is required for volunteers younger than 18 years of age.
Due to the high volume of applications, processing may take up to 1 month. Successful candidates will be contacted directly for an interview. Applications remain on file for 6 months.
Junior Volunteers
Volunteers 11 – 17 years old are considered to be Junior Volunteers. Junior Volunteers assist the Museum in a number of areas, enhancing the experience of our guests and promoting conservation of the natural world.
Family Volunteering
Volunteers 11 – 14 years of age must volunteer with a guardian or adult relative. Family Volunteers should submit a Family Volunteer Application.
Departmental Minimum Age Requirements
Indoor and Outdoor Interpretation: Age 11+
Please note volunteers 11 – 14 years of age must volunteer with a parent or guardian.
Touch Pool: Age 15+
Astronomy, Museum Store, Green Teens: Age 15+
Animal Care, Horticulture, Internships: Age 18+
Special Event Positions: Minimum age requirements may vary by event. Please visit the position description for more details.
Internships
Age Requirement: Interns must be 18+.
Time commitment: Interns must commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week for a 12- to 16- week period. Please see position description for more details.
Training: All accepted interns will complete an orientation before or on their start date. Department-specific training will also be provided. Interns also participate in seminars, talks, and other educational opportunities.
Fees: There is no fee required for applying. As part of our screening process, adult applicants must complete an online background check with Verified Volunteers. The cost to applicants is $12.50. Financial Aid is available. A link will be provided after successful reference checks.
Uniforms: All VLM interns are required to wear an official VLM uniform. You have the option of wearing a VLM smock or purchasing a uniform.
Intern placement at the Virginia Living Museum is subject to an official position offer. Not all positions may be available each semester.
Due to the high volume of applications, processing may take up to a month. Successful candidates will be contacted directly for an interview. All applications remain on file for 6 months.
General Requirements
Virginia Living Museum offers internships in a number of areas, including Animal Welfare, Administration, Advancement, and Education. College students over 18, recent graduates, and career changers interested in gaining deeper knowledge are invited to apply.
We offer unpaid semester-long internships, providing the opportunity for students to gain practical experience as well as develop and advance their skills.
Each semester is approximately 12 – 16 weeks long.
- Spring: January/February – May. Deadline to apply November 15.
- Summer: May/June – August. Deadline to apply April 1.
- Fall: September – December. Deadline to apply July 15.
Exact start and end dates may be flexible as determined by the departmental needs and interns’ schedule.
All interns are required to submit a complete application. Online applications are preferred and will have decreased processing time. Applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview. Position offers are made based on successful interviews and reference checks.
Group Volunteering
The Virginia Living Museum encourages community support in the form of volunteer service projects. If your organization has a group that would like to help our staff complete projects on a volunteer service basis, please submit a request from (see below).
Potential projects can be physically challenging, such as helping to keep the Museum grounds healthy by removing invasive plants or removing debris from natural areas. We also have special events throughout the year where volunteers interact with Museum guests.
Requests may take 7-10 business days to process and, as such, we request applications be submitted at least 30 days in advance. Please be aware that we may not be able to accommodate every request. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.
There are no group opportunities that involve working directly with animals, school group classes or exhibit interpretation. We do welcome individual applications for these positions.
Group Project Opportunities
Grounds Keeping & Animal Exhibit Refurbishment
Weeding individual display gardens, mulching grounds and animal exhibits. Must be able to bend, stoop and kneel, be willing to get dirty.
- Bring: work or garden gloves, shovels or pitchforks, if available
- Age requirement: 11+ with an adult, 15+ to volunteer alone
- # of volunteers: group of at least 4 people
- Timeframe: 3-4 hours
Refurbishing Dinosaur Discovery Trail
Add mulch and sand to designated areas. Clean dinosaurs.
- Bring: rakes and shovels, if available
- Age requirement: 15+
- # of volunteers: groups of at least 10 people
Night of the Living Museum (SEASONAL)
October from 4:30-8:00pm (4-10 people)
Interacting with Museum guests and helping children with their craft projects, direct outdoor and indoor games and activities for all ages during the event. This is a non-scary Halloween event for families with kids ages 12 and under – costumes and make-up must be family friendly!
- Age requirement: 11+ with adult, 15+ to volunteer alone
Noon Years Eve (SEASONAL)
December 31 morning and afternoon
Daytime event for children to celebrate the countdown to 12 noon. Volunteers will be at various activity stations or crafts.
- Age requirement: 11+ with adult, 15+ to volunteer alone
Wish List Items
Collect items on the Museum’s Wish List. Newspapers (no glossy pages) and towels (no holes) are used by our Living Exhibits Department. Please arrange drop-off in advance by emailing [email protected].
Groups interested in volunteering at the Virginia Living Museum adhere to the following guidelines:
- Volunteers must be 15 years or older to volunteer alone. Some projects accommodate participants 11+, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Certain special events require volunteers to be at least 21 years of age.
- For volunteers under the age of 18, the group must provide one adult chaperone to every 10 youth volunteers.
- Group volunteers must identify a group coordinator who is responsible for the safety and well-being of group members including providing the coordination and supervision for the group while volunteering.
- It is the responsibility of the group coordinator to obtain a signed parental consent form for group members under the age of 18, which must be on file with the group coordinator. Organizational forms may be used.
- The group understands that they will not receive any monetary compensation for their volunteer services.
- Volunteers cannot take photographs or video images of any area behind-the-scenes or not accessible to the general public without consent of a Museum Manager. If given permission to take media images behind-the-scenes, volunteers may not share those images via social media.
- Groups must adhere to the Museum’s dress code while on duty. Details will be provided after sign up.
Current Volunteers
Questions? Contact the Community Engagement Manager at: [email protected]
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Thanks for volunteering with us!
Active Volunteers may view their service hours, schedule, and sign up for volunteer openings via the Volgistics portal. Please see the Volunteer Coordinator to obtain your username and password.
If you are unable to make your volunteer shift, please ensure you give your supervisor 48+ hours notice (except in emergencies).
