1. Join Us
2. Volunteer

The San Bernardino County Museum (SBCM) is grateful for the assistance of hundreds of volunteers in administration, interpretation, exhibits, collections management, research, visitor services, living history, special events, and more. The SBCM also cooperates with secondary and higher educational institutions in providing opportunities for internships and work-study programs in specialized fields. Training sessions are scheduled throughout the year by education, curatorial, and administrative staff. Please contact Jolene Redvale at 909-798-8610 for more information.

Volunteer Duties By Division

Education

Education volunteers are trained in the skills of interpretation, public speaking and non-formal education standards. Volunteers engage visitors in informal conversation, with specimens and artifacts, and in doing creative projects. Many education activities focus on family participation. Education volunteers need to be comfortable working with the public, and interested in on-going learning to develop their own knowledge base. Opportunities for volunteers to build their personal knowledge are offered throughout the year.

Education division volunteer orientations occur four times a year, usually in September, January, April and June. Participation in an orientation and attendance in one to three training workshops are required. All training for education and interpretive programs is provided. The Education Division also engages volunteers in basic maintenance, handy-crafts, technical skills and clerical tasks. These positions are limited.

History

Volunteers translate documents (Spanish/English), do data entry, catalogue artifacts, organize research materials, sort newspaper scrapbooks, etc. Opportunities are arranged as various projects arise.

Anthropology/Archaeology

After training, volunteers are needed for scanning photos, cataloguing collections, data entry, inventory, filing, weighing and measuring artifacts, re-boxing collections, or other tasks as needed by the Curator of Anthropology.

Geology and Paleontology

Volunteers are needed for data entry; and, a geology or paleontology background is required.

Biology

Volunteers with a strong background in biology are needed for data entry and various projects.

Museum Association

The San Bernardino County Museum Association (SBCMA) needs volunteers to assist for special events like Groovin' at the Grove, members’ Preview Parties, gift solicitation and general clerical tasks like organizing files and stuffing envelopes.

Become a Volunteer

Upon receipt of volunteer applications, the Volunteer Coordinator will respond within 30 days with notification on whether or not a position is available in the applicant’s desired division. Each division seeking volunteers may conduct orientation and/or interviews as needed.

Submit Application Online

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

Email Address:

Phone Number:

Date of Birth:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Do you have prior museum (or similar) experience? Check all that apply.

  Volunteer

  Student

  Visitor

  Employee

  No

Availability:

  Open

  Weekdays

  Weekends

  Mixed/Limited

In what capacity would you like to work? Check all that apply.

  Short-Term Project

  1-2 days weekly

  1-2 days monthly

  Occasionally

Why are you interested in volunteering with us? What are your goals, or what you do hope to gain by volunteering?

Do you have an interest or activity in mind that you would like to pursue in your volunteer experience?

What other experiences or skills do you have that you feel will lend themselves to volunteering with us?

How do you feel about interacting with people individually, in small groups, and in large groups?

Many of the museum’s volunteers work with the visiting public, school groups and families, revealing the stories behind our exhibits and collections. Does this kind of interaction with the public interest you? Why or why not?

What are your interests and hobbies?

If accepted as a volunteer at the SBCM, I understand I will attend a Museum Orientation, act responsibly in my role as a volunteer, and keep my supervisor informed of any changes I may need to make in my schedule or work assignment. I further understand that the Museum staff will provide me with training, guidance, a name badge and any other items or information I need to know in order for me to volunteer in a professional manner.
  I have read and accept these terms and conditions.

Submit Application

Submit Application By Mail

Mail to:

Volunteer Coordinator
San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA 92374

View Volunteer Application (8k PDF)