Why does the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences need volunteers?

A team of gallery volunteers is needed to help support Museum staff in the Sedgwick Museum. The museum sees an average of 150,000 visitors a year and volunteers will assist by engaging with visitors in the galleries to provide a warm welcome to this famous collection. Visitors from all over the world visit the Sedgwick Museum and we would like each of them to leave feeling inspired and informed.
 

Volunteer tasks

  • Provide a warm welcome to anyone coming in to the Museum
  • Engage with Museum visitors, discuss collections and promote activities.
  • Provide information regarding the Museum and the University.
  • Provide information about Cambridge, assisting visitors with directions and wayfinding
  • Assist in clearing galleries of visitors at the end of the day.
  • Facilitate lift access for the building.
  • Provide shop/information point cover – 1 hour per shift.
  • Monitor the displays and storage drawers, and report any faults.

Other duties will include: replenishing leaflets, tidying gallery activities and monitoring group visits.
 

What you will gain from this role

  • ​Develop your skills and experience within a University museum setting.
  • Enhance customer service skills
  • Join a motivated and enthusiastic team.
  • Meet new people within your local community.
  • Gain the satisfaction of ‘giving back’.
  • Gain valuable experience that will enhance your CV and set you apart in the job market.
  • Gain cultural sector contacts within a supportive environment.
  • Gain knowledge of the Earth Sciences.
     

Skills required

Volunteers from all backgrounds and experience are welcome to apply, but especially those who have an interest in working with the public in a Museum and Heritage environment and/or interest in Earth Sciences. Gallery volunteers should be polite, friendly and helpful to all visitors. Good observation and conversation skills are essential and applicants should have a good eye for detail. Punctuality and reliability are essential. Knowledge of and an interest in geology and the Sedgwick collections is desirable. You will be volunteering under the guidance of the Duty Manager, will spend periods of time unsupervised but also liaise with the Visitor Services Assistants at Front of House. The role requires periods of standing but there is ample seating to utilise. Volunteers must be able to use stairs easily.
 

Potential time involvement:  Hours will be 4 hour shifts according to a rota. Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm or 1pm - 5pm, Saturdays 10- 2 or 12 - 4pm.
 

Location: Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ
 

Responsible to: Museum Administrator and Duty Manager
 

Training and Support

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences will aim to provide sufficient information and training for you to perform your volunteer role
 

Health and safety responsibilities

You will be responsible for your own health and safety by reporting all potential and actual health and safety matters including accidents using the correct procedures.
 

To Apply

Please complete this Volunteer Expression of Interest form and return it to the University of Cambridge Museums Opening Doors Project Co-ordinator.

Email: opendoor@hermes.cam.ac.uk

Post: University of Cambridge Museums, c/o The Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB

Main tel: +44 (0) 1223 332907
 

About the University of Cambridge Museums

University of Cambridge Museums is a consortium of the eight University Museums, which works in partnership with the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and other Cambridge University collections.  They include: Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle's Yard, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Museum of Zoology, Museum of Classical Archaeology, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and The Polar Museum.

The University's collections are a world-class resource for researchers, students and members of the public representing the country’s highest concentration of internationally important collections, all within walking distance of the City Centre.
 

About the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences

The Museum is responsible for around 2.5 million fossil, rock and mineral specimens from around the world, encompassing more than 4.5 billion years of Earth's history. The Museum plays an active part in the research and teaching activities of the University of Cambridge Department of Earth Sciences. Our activities include enhancing our public displays to offer more information and improved interpretation of our collections and providing free learning resources and activities for visitors. http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org