Be a part of the Sciencenter family

There are many ways you can support the Sciencenter’s mission to inspire excitement for science through interactive exhibits and programs that engage, educate, and empower.

Become a Member Make a Donation

Volunteer

Volunteer Information

Volunteers are an integral part of the Sciencenter team!
If you have an upbeat and positive attitude, strong oral communication skills, and a passion for teaching and learning, we want you to become a Sciencenter volunteer! You will receive ongoing opportunities to grow and gain skills within the organization. Science content expertise is not required.

Before you are eligible to volunteer, you must:

1. Fill out an application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
2. Complete an “Explore Session” (a 30 minute self-guided exploration of the museum). Regular admission fees are waived for Explore Sessions.
3. Have a successful 20 – 30 minute interview. If your application is accepted, the Volunteer Programs Manager will contact you to schedule.
4. Attend a New Volunteer Orientation/Training, held monthly.

Contact volunteer@sciencenter.org with any questions!

Volunteer Opportunities

Education Programming Assistant: Enhance the guest experience by facilitating hands-on activities, supporting memorable interactions with exhibits and helping to maintain a safe, clean museum environment for all.
Animal Room/Tidepool Touch Tank Facilitator: Introduce our guests to teaching reptiles and Tidepool Touch Tank inhabitants. Training in these areas is available to experienced volunteers.
Special Events: Individual and group volunteers are needed for 2-4 hour shifts at special events, which generally take place on weekends and weekday evenings. Events include Spooky Science in October, featured Saturday Showtimes!, and various outreach appearances throughout the year.
Community Work-Study: Complete all necessary paperwork with your college/university. Listings available through Cornell’s Public Service Center and Ithaca College’s Community Service Federal Work Study program.
Internships: Hoping to complete an internship requirement? Send a cover letter, resume, and description of your skills and interest areas to volunteer@sciencenter.org

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please email us at volunteer@sciencenter.org.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

The Sciencenter has limited one-time group volunteer opportunities throughout the year. For more information, please email us at volunteer@sciencenter.org.

Employment

Available positions will be posted below.

Animal Keeper

Animal Keeper assists the Live Exhibits Manager with providing animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance for the Sciencenter’s live animal exhibits, and for enhancing the guest experience by engaging them with the collection.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides daily animal husbandry for Sciencenter’s live animal exhibits. Activities include daily feeding and habitat cleaning, water changes, monitoring life support systems, upgrading/enhancing habitats and enclosures, and general troubleshooting.
Monitors animal health and works with Live Exhibits Manager to provide appropriate treatments or actions to ensure optimal animal care.
Maintains proper animal husbandry logs to document animal care and water quality.
Performs preventative maintenance on live animal exhibits.
Performs routine water quality tests, analyzes data and makes adjustments as needed.
Maintains animal support areas by keeping them clean and organized.
Learn more & Appy!

Live Collections & Exhibits Intern

The Live Collections & Exhibits Intern learns about and assists the Curator of Live Exhibits and Animal Keepers with providing animal husbandry and exhibit maintenance for the Sciencenter’s live animal exhibits. With the exhibits team, this intern also learns about and contributes to the interpretation, content, and design for exhibits. Additionally, the intern will enhance the guest experience by engaging them with exhibits and live animals.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Learns about and provides daily animal care for Sciencenter’s live animal collection.
Learns about and performs routine water quality tests, and analyzes data.
Learns to monitor animal health and works with Curator of Live Exhibits to learn about and help with optimal animal care.
Learns to maintain proper animal husbandry logs to document animal care and water quality.
Learns proper animal handling techniques and provides appropriate guest/animal interactions.
Maintains animal support areas by keeping them clean and organized.
Learns about developing content for science exhibits and contributes to interpreting exhibits on our floor.
Learns about and contributes to the design and fabrication of science exhibits.
Learn more!
Apply Here

About Ithaca, NY

Ithaca is located in the heart of New York’s treasured Finger Lakes region. Known widely for its natural beauty, its cultural attractions and as a hub for higher education and high-tech business, Ithaca is a small city that thrives in its diversity and its commitment to the community. Ranked the “Smartest City in America” (Luminosity, 2013); named as the “Best Healthy City in the Northeast” (Organic Style Magazine); and ranked sixth in Outside Magazine’s list of “20 Best Towns in America” (2008), Ithaca is a great place to call home.

For more information about Ithaca, NY, visit: www.visitithaca.com