Volunteer Facilitator (Volunteer Opportunity)

Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian museum in Toronto is seeking enthusiastic Volunteer Facilitators to engage with visitors in interactive galleries. This role involves specimen handling, delivering science communication, and enhancing visitor experiences. Applicants should have a passion for education, comfort in public speaking, and a background related to museum work. A one-year commitment is required.

Benefits

Hands-on experience in a museum setting

Access to free or discounted admission

Join a community of diverse volunteers

Qualifications

• Approachable and able to initiate conversations with visitors.
• Willing to undergo Vulnerable Sector Check process.
• Familiarity with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Responsibilities

• Interact with visitors and create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Demonstrate object handling techniques.
• Manage group behaviors and prevent loss/damage of specimens.

Skills

Customer service

Science communication

Public speaking

Experience with children

Comfort with crowds

Education

Educational background in a museum-related field

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future.

The Hands-on Galleries at ROM are vibrant, interactive spaces where children, families, and curious learners of all ages connect with nature, science, and creativity through touch, play, and conversation.

Supported by a dedicated community of over 200 volunteers, the galleries offer immersive experiences across three unique learning environments:

The Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity

Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-on Biodiversity

Volunteer Facilitators play a vital role in welcoming visitors, sparking curiosity, and making complex ideas accessible through one-on-one engagement with specimens, museum objects, storytelling, and guided play. Whether demonstrating proper handling techniques at touch tables, helping a child build a dinosaur out of magnets, or exploring biodiversity in the Earth Rangers Studio, our volunteers help bring the ROM experience to life — one conversation at a time.

This is an ideal opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with the public, especially families and children, in a high-energy, inclusive, and meaningful environment.

WHO WE NEED

The Hands-on Galleries are interactive learning environments used by families, school groups, tourists and day camps who are seeking a multi-sensory, hands-on experience. The museum relies on knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff and volunteers who interact with visitors and promote our educational themes and activities. Volunteer Facilitators assist visitors in using the gallery to its full advantage by providing a welcoming and inviting atmosphere and facilitating with specimens at workstations with activity boxes and touch tables. As a team, Gallery Engagement staff and volunteers work together to enhance the museum’s mission to create knowledge, inspire learning, encourage gathering and spark exchange.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Interacting with visitors – creating a welcoming atmosphere, introducing visitors to the interactive elements within the galleries.
• Specimen handling & conservation – at touch tables or carts, demonstrating preferred object handling techniques, managing group behaviours and preventing loss/damage.
• Tidying, replenishing supplies for gallery activities.
• Reporting issues to staff/coordinators.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Customer service – being approachable, initiating conversations with visitors.
• Educational background in a museum-related field (biology, ecology, anthropology, history, etc.).
• Comfort with crowds is essential.
• Science communication/public speaking.
• Confidence with written and oral communication in English is necessary; other spoken languages are assets.
• Experience working with children.
• Willing to undergo Vulnerable Sector Check process (reimbursement available).
• Familiarity with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (note: training will be provided).

WHAT TO EXPECT

Application & Selection Process:

• Apply Online: Submit your online application for ongoing consideration.
• Interview: Selected applicants will be invited to a 30-minute interview (conducted in-person) with coordinators of the Hands-on Galleries. This conversation will focus on your experience, interests, and alignment with the role.
• Conditional Offer & Screening: Candidates receiving a conditional offer will be required to complete a criminal background check via a third-party service before receiving an official placement.
• Training Program: Accepted volunteers must complete a mandatory training program, with full details provided upon acceptance.

Training & Time Commitment

Training is vital for volunteer success in the Hands-on Galleries. Volunteers are always supported by staff in the galleries and supervised by coordinators in the gallery offices. We seek to inspire curiosity in our visitors and always welcome questions from volunteers:

• Volunteers must attend a mandatory, 4-hour orientation session, which includes training around:
  • museum policies and procedures
  • customer service best practices
  • collections handling
  • facilitation techniques
• Over the first 10 shifts, new volunteers are paired with permanent staff and experienced volunteers to work through training modules focused on:
  • building confidence with gallery content
  • accessibility
  • emergency preparedness
  • communication skills

Time Commitment:

• 1 shift per week, 4 hours per shift; OR 1 shift biweekly (weekends only), 4 hours per shift.
• Occasional holiday Mondays, evenings or night shifts available.
• One-year commitment minimum.

Volunteer Terms

• START DATE: Ongoing
• TIME COMMITMENT: 1-YEAR
• OPEN DATE: September 11, 2025
• DEPARTMENT: WonderWorks & Hands-on Biodiversity Galleries
• LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING IN THIS ROLE

• Hands-on experience in a museum setting.
• Building skills/confidence in communication and public speaking.
• Helping visitors and families create positive, memorable museum experiences, inspire curiosity and seed passion for life-long learning.
• Join a community of over 150 volunteers with a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Access to the museum, an annual allotment of free tickets to share with friends and family.
• Museum ID provides access to free or discounted admission to reciprocal partners through Attractions Ontario.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibitions, communities, and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas. We are committed to equitable opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Apply today and help us create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity and learning flourish.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please get in touch with us at [e-mail] for assistance.

APPLY NOW

Join us today to help create a collaborative, inclusive space where discovery and imagination thrive — and where every visitor leaves with a sense of wonder.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal offer will be subject to a standard criminal background check.

#LI-Onsite

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First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

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Are you 18 years of age or older?*

What languages do you speak fluently?

Why do you want to volunteer in the Hands-on Galleries at the ROM?
(What do you hope to gain, and what can you contribute? Please share specific examples.)*

Do you have experience in any of the following?* Science communication Public education or museum settings Customer service Working with children Other

Which shifts are you available for?* Mornings (10am–2pm) Afternoons (1:30pm–5:30pm)

What days of the week are you available?* Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Are you able to commit to one year of volunteering (minimum one 4-hour shift per week OR biweekly weekends)?*

Do you have a valid Vulnerable Sector Police Check (within the past year)?*