Volunteer
At Museum of the Rockies (MOR), volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our mission and ensuring the success of our museum services. Each year, their collective efforts amount to the equivalent of 14 full-time staff members, highlighting their invaluable contribution to our organization and the community.
Our dedicated volunteers share a deep appreciation for education and are passionate about MOR's mission of bridging the gap between Montana and the world. They understand the importance of bringing diverse perspectives and knowledge to our community.
While many of our volunteers are over the age of 18, we also welcome younger education enthusiasts who are eager to get involved. We value a diverse range of skills, interests, talents, and experiences, recognizing that every individual has something unique to offer. We encourage you to share your skills and interests through our volunteer application process.
With a wide array of volunteer roles available, you can find an opportunity that aligns with your preferences and passions. Whether you enjoy assisting visitors in exploring our exhibits, leading engaging tours for people of all ages, working with our research collections, or participating in the vital task of preparing fossils for research, there is a role that will inspire you.
To become a MOR volunteer, simply visit our website and explore the list of volunteer roles available. You'll find detailed information about each role and the responsibilities involved. If a particular role catches your eye and interest, we encourage you to apply and become part of our volunteer corps.
As a MOR volunteer, you will have the opportunity to continuously learn new skills, take on new experiences, and embrace exciting challenges. We value the growth and development of our volunteers, providing a supportive and enriching environment for their personal and professional advancement.
Join our vibrant community of volunteers and make a difference at Museum of the Rockies. Your dedication and passion will contribute to creating extraordinary experiences for our visitors and furthering our mission of sharing knowledge and fostering connections between Montana and the world. Apply today and embark on an enriching volunteer journey with MOR.
How do I access the current volunteer login portal?
Use this link to log into the MOR volunteer portal.
For additional information about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Department at 406.994.6611 or museumvolunteers@montana.edu.
Volunteer Position Descriptions
Greet visitors and demonstrate the day-to-day life on an 1890s homestead. Volunteers on our farm, work inside the Tinsley house, out in the heirloom garden, or inside of our blacksmith shop. Volunteers must commit to one, four-hour shift a week.
The Living History Farm is open from Memorial Day to mid-September. Volunteers must commit to at least one summer and six to eight weeks of annual training in the spring.
If you are interested in continuing education and would like to give tours to groups of all ages in the museum, you may wish to become a docent.
Docents provided close to 1,000 guided tours for over 13,000 students and teachers annually. In addition to school tours, public and special tours are also conducted daily during the summer months.
MOR offers docent lead tours through many of our changing exhibits, the Siebel Dinosaur Complex, and the Paugh History Hall.
Volunteers prepare fossils in our Viewing Lab on a set team. Extensive training is required for work in this area. Volunteers are required to provide paleontology interpretation for visitors during work one three-hour shift per week and learn many new skills. These opportunities are very limited and generally filled by MSU Paleontology students.
Early learning programs and Family Festivals and Family Days provide many opportunities to work with families and younger children.
Volunteers typically volunteer one Saturday morning a month, helping to lead our educational crafts and activities.
Volunteers use carts with hands-on materials to provide interpretive experiences for visitors in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex or our history halls. They interpret real dinosaur fossils or artifacts and answer visitor questions.
Training and education are provided. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one two-hour shift per week.
Volunteers are often our first ambassadors to the museum. In the summer months and on busy weekends in the winter, volunteers greet visitors, answer questions, and make every museum visitor feel welcome.
The time and or physical demands of docent work may not fit everyone who wants to participate in continuing education. Our exhibit hosts attend the docent tours training for our changing exhibits and offer on the spot interpretation.
