Volunteers
Volunteers are a vital presence at the Adler, helping carry out the mission of the museum by directly engaging with guests or assisting behind-the-scenes. We recruit on a seasonal basis and match potential volunteers with opportunities that meet a combination of their skills, interests, background, and schedule availability. Thanks for your interest in volunteering at the Adler!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have volunteer opportunities across the entire museum. Volunteers may engage guests on the museum floor, facilitate telescope viewing during daytime and special events, or help behind the scenes with data entry and clerical needs. Each of our volunteers plays a vital role in supporting the Adler’s mission and daily operations. We strive to match potential volunteers with opportunities that meet a combination of their skills, interests, background, and schedule availability.
One of the best parts of our volunteer community is how diverse it is! Volunteers include college students, professionals, and retirees, and come from all walks of life to enrich our community with different talents. We look forward to learning what unique contributions you can bring to our program!
While knowledge of or interest in astronomy can be helpful, it is by no means required in order to be a volunteer. We look for candidates who are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and flexible. Depending on your role, you will receive additional training and education on space and other science topics.
The required time commitment varies with each role, but typically we request a regular commitment of between 6 to 12 months at a minimum.
Each volunteer position has a schedule that is laid out by the role’s supervisor. Some volunteers are expected once a week, while others are only expected once a month. We also have special event volunteers who volunteer as needed throughout the year.
The physical demands depend on each role. It is the policy of the Adler Planetarium to comply with all federal and state laws concerning the employment and volunteering of persons with disabilities and act in accordance with regulations and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In general, if you are in a role that interfaces with the public, you should expect to be on your feet for at least 3 hours at a time. Sometimes, volunteers are asked to help with outdoor events, so plan for all kinds of Chicago weather. Other volunteers who work behind the scenes may be sitting in front of a computer screen for at least 3 hours.
Our age minimum is 18, though some roles may require that you be older. Please check the requirements of any role for which you have a specific interest.
We typically cannot accommodate seasonal volunteers. Due to the resources we invest in volunteers, we typically ask for a long-term commitment of at least 6 to 12 months.
At this time, there are limited roles available for volunteering with us. Please submit an application, and we will contact you as assignment opportunities arise that match your availability, skills, and background. Thank you for your interest!
If you have any questions about the volunteer program at the Adler, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
The orientation is about four hours and includes the opportunity to explore the museum, learn the layout, and understand volunteer scheduling, communication, and expectations.
Volunteers who work behind the scenes do not have a uniform. Those who interact with the public are typically asked to wear an Adler Planetarium t-shirt, provided by the Adler.
Once a volunteer has completed the orientation process, they receive a discount on parking at the lot next to the Adler Planetarium.
Please note: All Museum Campus parking lots are owned by the Chicago Parks District and managed by Standard Parking. The Adler does not control parking rates. Rates can vary due to activities such as football games, concerts, and other special events. Check the Soldier Field and Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island schedules for upcoming events that may impact Adler parking or travel to the Museum Campus.
We request that you arrive for your volunteer shift even if the weather is not conducive to the responsibilities of your role. If you are ever unsure, you may contact your supervisor for an update.
If you would like more information about the Adler Planetarium’s Volunteer Program or the status of your application, please contact us at [email protected].
