A volunteer employee is a person who contributes services for which there is no financial compensation. The services are given on a scheduled basis for assigned projects under the supervision of a Museum staff member.

Volunteers must be familiar with and in compliance with procedures established by the Volunteer Office. Persons accepting volunteer employment in the Museum are subject to the rules and regulations of the Museum.

The usual minimum age for volunteers is 16. A parental consent form must be signed for those under 18.

No evaluations or recommendations, verbal or written, will be provided by the Museum. Informal evaluations or recommendations may be possible at the direction of the supervisor.

Interviews
After completing an application form, a volunteer candidate may be asked to come to the Volunteer Office for a preliminary interview. Qualified applicants will be referred to departments for a second interview.

Volunteers will furnish references upon request.

Placement
Volunteers are placed according to their skills and interests as well as Museum needs. Reassignments are handled through the Volunteer Office.

Volunteers may be terminated if it is found that there is no longer any need for their services, or if their performance does not meet the requirements of the supervisor. Volunteers who have been terminated for cause will not be reinstated.

Identification Badges/Security
Identification badges will be issued by the Security & Safety Department at the recommendation of the Volunteer Office and are to be worn at all times. Upon acceptance every new volunteer will be asked to sign an authorization form issued by the Security & Safety Department. This form permits the Museum to conduct a background check. The first badge issued is probationary and runs for three months. All paid employees and volunteers are fingerprinted after the probationary period.

Volunteers must show their identification badges when entering the Museum and when exercising privileges such as receipt of discounts in the shops and food facilities.

Badges are issued for a specific area and do not permit entry to restricted areas.

All badges must be returned to the Volunteer Office upon termination or registration.

The Museum reserves the right to carry out the same security investigations of a volunteer as it does of a paid employee.

Responsibilities
All volunteers must sign a Time Sheet indicating arrival and departure times and assignments for that day. Volunteers are expected to arrive at their assignment at the agreed-upon time. If they must be absent, they should call as soon as possible. Vacation notice should be given to the volunteer supervisor at least two weeks in advance.

Volunteers working in public areas must be appropriately dressed at all times.

Incoming and outgoing personal telephone calls on Museum lines must be restricted to emergencies.

No property within the Museum, including library books, shall be removed from the building without permission.

Benefits
Volunteers receive a 25% discount on gifts and a 20% discount on books purchased at The Museum Shop, and are entitled to discounts on gift Memberships to the Museum. Volunteers also receive discounts in Museum restaurants. The employee cafeteria offers a varied menu at reasonable prices and may be used by volunteers.

Certain tax benefits relating to the cost of transportation may be available to volunteers. A statement verifying the days of service can be obtained from the Volunteer Office.

General
All concepts or products, including but not restricted to such items such as photographs, drawings, manuscripts created by, or resulting from work performed as a volunteer at the AMNH, and all rights pertaining thereto become, and (unless specifically released) remain the property of the Museum.

Printable Application Form