Beaty Museum Education Volunteer

Museum volunteers engage visitors in the wonder of biodiversity through discussions and activities, and answer questions about the museum, its collections, and its research. Volunteers represent the museum on the floor daily and occasionally provide support for special museum events and lectures.  
This is an in-person role located at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC Vancouver. 
 

What do volunteers do?  

Interact with visitors in the museum using touchable specimens, activities, crafts, and more.  
Assist with educational and outreach programs, including hands-on activities, for a variety of visitors. 
Spend time at the Whale Station and Discovery Lab. 
Provide excellent customer service and answer general museum inquiries from visitors. 
Assist with flow of visitors through the museum: at closing time, before and after daytime lectures. 
Help with other tasks related to museum activities and events (organizing supplies, prepping material for activities, registration, set-up and takedown for events, etc.). 

 

Volunteers who are a good fit will be: 
Friendly, considerate, and are ready to start conversations with visitors in the museum 
Eager to learn new things about biodiversity 
Interested in ecology, evolution, biodiversity, natural history, biology, science, and/or STEAM 
Reliable, punctual, and excited to be part of the public face of the museum 
Looking to build and/or use communication, language, and/or teaching skills 
Actively welcoming of people from different backgrounds, ages, experiences, and abilities 
Prepared to commit to regular volunteering: at least four shifts per month (15-20 hours total) 

 

Volunteers are required to: 

Start conversations with museum visitors of all ages: one-on-one, in small and larger groups  
Handle real museum specimens, including bones, fur, fish, feathers, fossils, jars, plants, and shells 
Have regular, verbal conversations in English. Other languages are very welcome, but not required. 
Use reference materials that are written in English 
Work independently while following a task-based schedule that moves you around the museum 
Respect and cooperate with other staff and volunteers in the museum 
Complete a criminal record check upon selection. This check investigates relevant offences to working with children and/or vulnerable adults in the museum. 
Occasionally lift over 10lbs and use a ladder, or be willing to ask for help when needed. 
Transport yourself to and from the Beaty Biodiversity Museum for all shifts. Parking is not provided for volunteers. Transit, car-sharing, and cycling are great options!  
Check email for communication, access a computer for scheduling (can be provided at the museum) 
Call the museum if running late or have last-minute shift changes 
Be 16 years old or over on October 15, 2025




Time Commitment 

A minimum of four (4) shifts per month, ongoing, starting in November 2025. Total hours will be approximately 15-20 hours per month. Volunteers select their own schedule, times include:  
Morning shifts (9:15am-1:30pm),  
Afternoon shifts (12:45pm-5:15pm), and/or 
Special event shifts (for example, occasional evenings from 5:00pm-9:00pm)  


Important Dates:
•	Application Deadline: Sunday September 28, 2025, by 11:59pm
•	In person interviews: Thursday October 9, 2025, between 5:30-9pm
•	Training option 1: Sunday October 19, 2025, between 9am-5pm
•	Training option 2: Saturday October 25, 2025, between 9am-5pm


Apply Now
If this position sounds like a good fit for you, we invite you to apply to join our team by applying online at https://beatymuseum.ubc.ca/volunteer before September 28, 2025. 


The Beaty Biodiversity Museum selects volunteers on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. Please ask if you have questions about access and/or accommodations. Learn more at beatymuseum.ubc.ca/accessibility. 

 

About the Museum 

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum strives to inspire an understanding of biodiversity, its origins, and importance to humans through collections-based research, education and outreach. As Vancouver’s natural history museum, we work to promote a greater sense of collective responsibility for the biodiversity of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.