Geology
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers assist with organizing, identifying and cataloging the Museum's mineral collection.
Time commitment: Minimum 4 hours per month — work at least two hours at a time on weekdays (Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job; a working knowledge of basic geology and ability to lift 10–20 pounds on a fairly regular basis is helpful.
Ichthyology (Fish)
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers assist the staff with cataloging, labeling, and shelving specimens at the Museum's Research Lab on Reedy Creek Road in west Raleigh. Other duties include identification, stabilization of preserved specimens, and data entry.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training; must have a strong desire to learn and a great attention to detail.
Library (Archives)
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
There are no volunteer opportunities in the library at this time however there are several projects available in the Archives. These include -clean printing blocks using metal polish, -write finding aids for various topics in the archives, -transfer VHS tapes to DVD, -identify clipart drawings of animals and plants stored in an electronic database. Skills and time commitments vary with each project. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more details.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Wednesday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided by library staff; ability to work alone is important.
Malacology (Aquatic Invertebrates)
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers assist with the Museum's mollusk (primarily freshwater clams and snails) collection. Working with a technician, volunteers help maintain collections by replacing alcohol and help record specimens by collection locality — some sorting of species may be required. Work is done at the Museum’s Research Lab on Reedy Creek Road in west Raleigh.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am-5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training; a strong desire to learn
Mammalogy (Mammals)
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers assist with specimen preparation (preparing study skins, extracting tissues for genetic study, and cleaning skeletal material), data entry and cataloging (identification, labeling and shelving specimens). Some prior knowledge of mammal identification is preferred, but not required. Note: This position does NOT involve working with live program animals.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided with supervision as necessary
Ornithology (Birds)
NOT ACCEPTING NEW VOLUNTEERS UNTIL FALL OF 2012
Volunteers assist with data entry and updating and organizing bird research publication list. Volunteers may learn study skin preparation.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (September–April, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training provided with supervision as needed
Paleontology (Fossils)
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers assist with paleo collections by cleaning, preserving and preparing specimens. Picking matrix samples, numbering specimens and cataloging fossils are other aspects of the position.
Time commitment: 4–6 hours per month (Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: On-the-job training with supervision
Conservation Genetics
NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME
Volunteers work in a genetics lab at the Museum’s Research Lab in west Raleigh. Projects may include DNA extraction, PCR amplification of genetic materials, data collection, organization of archived samples and routine lab maintenance.
Time commitment: 3–4-hour block weekly. Many tasks will require back-to-back days. (Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm)
Training/Experience: Volunteers will be trained in techniques and protocols that they are interested in learning. Basic computer skills and some genetic experience are preferred but not required.
Volunteer Application Form [2]
For more information, contact Tullie Johnson [3], volunteer coordinator, at 919.707.9895.