Volunteering at the GRPM

    Volunteering at the GRPM brings the opportunity to connect with the community, learn more about the Museum’s worldwide collections and interact with other like-minded people. The GRPM volunteer program is filled with enthusiastic individuals who enjoy working with children and visitors of all ages.

    Safety is a priority of the Museum. Volunteer opportunities may be limited to ensure the safety of the volunteers, visitors and staff due to COVID-19. 

    We have volunteer opportunities for all ages to join our team! Review the information below on volunteer opportunities and let us know what interests you. 

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    Volunteer Opportunities

    Current Opportunities

    Citizen Science Angler Counters

    As part of a combined effort (with Encompass Socio-ecological Consulting LLC, John Ball Zoo and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds) the GRPM is looking for Volunteer Angler Counters from September through November.

    Counters will document the number of anglers in a 2 mile section of the Grand River from Leonard to Fulton Streets. Training will be provided. Volunteers are asked to sign up at training to do 2 counts between September and November, each taking approximately 2 hours.

    This research will help document the long-term changes that occur when the city of Grand Rapids begins the river rehabilitation that will add two miles of rapid habitat throughout downtown Grand Rapids, as proposed by Grand Rapids White Water.

    Registration required for training. (Those under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.)  Please pre-register by email to mfleming@grm.org.

    Opportunities occur annually between March and October. 

    Discovery Cart Volunteers

    Engage visitors through artifact-based exhibit interpretation. Mobile Discovery Carts are connected to exhibits throughout the Museum, and topics may vary during the year. All educational material and training will be provided. Scheduling is based on volunteers’ availability.

    Discovery Cart volunteers receive free parking, Museum discounts, and free membership after 12 shifts.

    Education Assistants

    Volunteers will assist Museum educators in providing programming to visiting school groups. Classes are 60-90 minutes in length and cover a variety of topics such as Civil War Artifacts, Watershed Decision-Making, Plant & Animal Adaptations, and more. No specialized expertise is necessary as training is provided. Shifts are weekdays during the school year.

    Education Assists receive free parking, Museum discounts, and free membership after 12 shifts.

    Exhibit Interpreter

    Volunteers engage guests by staffing shops in our 1890s Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit. Options include Voigt Herherpolsheimer Department Store, Rudell Drug Store, Van Dort Print Shop, the Firehouse, and our working lathe. Free training is provided. Most volunteers work one shift per week and we work with your availability.

    Volunteers receive free parking, Museum discounts, and free membership after 12 shifts.

    Greeter

    Greeters are the first experience many guests have when visiting the Museum. Volunteers welcome and direct groups (mostly morning school groups) visiting during the week. Shifts vary between 8:30-11:00am. Volunteers usually work the same day each week. Once groups are in the building, Greeters also have the option to volunteer in other roles within the Museum.

    Volunteers receive free parking, Museum discounts, and free membership after 12 shifts.

    Great opportunity for adults after dropping their own students off at school in the morning.

    Volunteer Benefits

    • Free Parking
    • Complimentary membership after volunteering 12 shifts
    • Discount in Curiosity Shop & Cafe
    • Training & continuing education
    • Invitations to recognition events

    If you have questions, please email Mo Fleming at mfleming@grpm.org or call 616.929.1753.

    Volunteers 18 and older require a background check.