Brooklyn Children’s Museum is looking for people interested in giving some time to their community and helping the Museum meet its mission. If you’re looking for a rewarding, hands-on experience—working with our visitors or helping behind the scenes—please see the currently available volunteer opportunities listed below where you can make a positive difference.

Current Positions: 

Volunteer Museum Greeter
Volunteer Membership Associate
Volunteer Phone Operator
Access Programs Volunteer
Volunteer Garden Docent

Volunteer Museum Greeter

The world’s first museum for children is currently looking for volunteers to welcome visitors as they begin their Brooklyn Children’s Museum experience.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain the highest standards of friendly, helpful, and responsive customer service at all times
• Communicate well with visitors; remain polite, courteous, and helpful at all times
• Greet visitors at main entrance and give appropriate directions
• Assist visitors in maintaining an orderly line at the main entrance
• Give visitors daily program schedule
• Make public-address announcements throughout the day
• Communicate the Museum’s programs and services through interaction with the public

Additional Responsibilities:

• Mail line operator when needed
• Staff membership table during peak days to sign up new members
• Assist with general crowd control and provide visitors with directions
• Provide assistance with coat and bag check
• Exhibit floor upkeep and positive visitor interaction
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High-school diploma or degree preferred
• Prior experience in retail, customer service, hospitality, or theater; prior museum experience helpful
• Interest in children and family education
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Ability to stand and walk around for extended periods
• Strong team player with a proactive attitude
• Flexible schedule; this position includes weekends and holidays

To apply, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with “Museum Greeter” in the subject line, or call (718) 735-4400 x160.

Volunteer Membership Associate

The world’s first museum for children is currently looking for volunteers to assist in providing our members and visitors with the best customer service as they experience the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain the highest standards of friendly, helpful, and responsive customer service at all times
• Communicate well with visitors; remain polite, courteous, and helpful at all times
• Answer and return phone calls from Museum members, helping to answer questions and solve problems
• Assist in Membership Office filing and organization
• Help audit and maintain database (Raiser’s Edge software)
• Staff membership table during peak days to sign up new members
• Communicate the Museum’s programs and services through interaction with the public

Additional Responsibilities:

• Mail line operator when needed
• Assist with general crowd control and provide visitors with directions
• Provide assistance with coat and bag check
• Exhibit floor upkeep and positive visitor interaction
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High-school diploma or degree preferred
• Prior experience in retail, customer service, hospitality, or theater; prior museum experience helpful
• Solid knowledge of computer operation; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software helpful
• Interest in children and family education
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Ability to stand and walk around for extended periods
• Strong team player with a proactive attitude
• Flexible schedule; this position includes weekends and holidays

To apply, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with “Membership Associate” in the subject line, or call (718) 735-4400 x160.

Volunteer Phone Operator

The world’s first museum for children is currently looking for volunteers to provide assistance to callers seeking information about Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain the highest standards of friendly, helpful, and responsive customer service at all times
• Communicate well with visitors; remain polite, courteous, and helpful at all times
• Answer incoming phone calls and route to specific departments
• Answer questions and solve visitors' issues
• Make public-address announcements throughout the day
• Communicate the Museum’s programs and services through interaction with the public

Additional Responsibilities:

• Staff membership table during peak days to sign up new members
• Assist with general crowd control and provide visitors with directions
• Provide assistance with coat and bag check
• Exhibit floor upkeep and positive visitor interaction
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High-school diploma or degree preferred
• Prior experience in retail, customer service, hospitality, or theater; prior museum experience helpful
• Interest in children and family education
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Strong team player with a proactive attitude
• Flexible schedule; this position works weekends and holidays

To apply, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with “Phone Operator” in the subject line, or call (718) 735-4400 x160.

Access Programs Volunteer

The world’s first museum for children is currently looking for volunteers to work in the Sensory Room, an inclusive space where children of all abilities can engage and explore their senses.
Major Responsibilities:

• Communicate well with visitors.
•  Set up and facilitate activities in the Sensory Room.
•  Invite families to take off shoes and sign in.
• Adapt the room to meet the needs of the children in the space. 
• Maintain a safe and comfortable room capacity.
• Inform families about the use of the equipment and the benefits for sensory integration.
• Clean up space and reset the room.
  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Input attendance records.
• Maintain the equipment and materials cleanliness. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications:

• Experience/ Interest in Museum Education, Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy other relevant areas of study.
• Ability to work independently; attention to detail; initiative and follow-through; ability and desire to interact with youth and families.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others in individual and group settings.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Ability to stand and walk around for extended periods. Ability to lift 25-30lbs.
• Strong team player with a proactive attitude.
• Flexible schedule; this position includes weekends and holidays.
  

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Wéma Harris  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  with “Access Programs Volunteer” in the subject line.

Volunteer Garden Docent

Volunteers in the Garden Docent program engage visiting groups and families on a daily basis, encouraging them to explore the garden and providing them with the tools and knowledge to best make use of the space. Tasks may include reading stories, helping visitors find plants to water, inviting them to help with garden maintenance, pointing out plants in bloom, edibles, scented plants, and insects, and engaging in imaginative play with children.

Garden Docents also help to maintain the Greenhouse exhibit, featuring a hands-on collection of tropical, temperate, and desert plants for use in BCM's many education programs. Gardeners and docents also work with special needs high school students who help maintain the space.

Duration: March-November 2013
Responsibilities: Engage with visitors of all ages, encourage multi-sensory exploration, experimentation, and play. Assist the science team with education and horticultural responsibilities. A range of horticulture tasks in the Greenhouse and Garden will include watering, repotting, propagating, and other support to help keep the collection healthy, well-labeled and organized.

Qualifications:

• Passion for the natural world and eagerness to share this with others.
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to hands-on education and informal science learning.
• Experience working with children of all ages.
• Horticulture experience preferred for greenhouse work, or an interest in developing horticulture skills.
  

Work Schedule: Varies by season, 1-2, 4-hour shifts per week.

Contact: Greta Pemberton, Manager of Science Programs and Horticulture, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with a letter detailing your interest, experience and availability.