Whether it’s one or two times a year or on a more permanent basis, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin has a myriad of wonderful volunteer opportunities for you!
Volunteers can really make a difference to enhance the visitor’s experience, from assisting with hands-on activities, helping with the success of a special event, to providing staff with administrative support.
For additional information please email volunteer@discoveryworld.org.
Download a Volunteer Application
Available Opportunties
Birthday Party Assistants assist guests and Discovery World staff members during birthday parties held at the museum. Volunteers working in this role aid in set-up and tear-down, assist with planned activities and projects, lead games, escort guests around the museum, and promote a fun and interactive learning environment for elementary aged students.
Volunteers should be available to assist with at least one shift each month.
Volunteers participating in “Team Tuesday” are part of a group effort to assist Discovery World staff with large-scale office tasks such as mailings, distributions, and data entry. “Team Tuesday” usually meet on assigned Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Opportunities are also available at other times as mailings become available.
Volunteers are needed to assist our education staff during weekend programs at Discovery World. Assist with hands-on interactive activities for groups of 20-25 students, families, and scout groups. Volunteers in this role assist with programs during one Saturday or Sunday each month.
Volunteers working as Outreach Project Assistants will assist in the department in preparing kits and supplies for educational programming and shows that are taken outside the museum. Volunteers are asked to commit to working one four hour shift each week for the duration of three months or more.
On-Board Educators work aboard the S/V Denis Sullivan, a re-creation of an 1880’s Great Lakes cargo schooner as they teach organized activities involving water quality, biology, and conservation to students in grades 4-12 taking part in the Lake Watch Expedition program.
Volunteers wishing to work as On-Board Educators are required to attend a training session prior to their service. Training sessions are offered each spring and fall.
Volunteers who complete training for Lake Watch Expeditions are asked to volunteer during at least one program each year. Lake Watch Expeditions run each year from late May to early June and again in September.
Marina Docents enhance the visitor experience by relaying information about Discovery World and the schooner Denis Sullivan while aiding in dockside operations including controlling, docking, and tying boat traffic and ensuring the safety of visitors on the docks. Opportunities begin in June and continue through end of boating season.
Orientation and training required (a few hours).
Ability to swim preferred (as a precaution because you are near the water).
Minimum age for teens is 15 Volunteers wishing to work as Marina Docents are required to commit to working a minimum of one five hour shift each week for the duration of the season (summer-fall).
Interact with visitors to aid in exploring our exhibits. Opportunities in our Aquarium (interpreting fish ecology), Touch Tanks (helping with a hands on experience of interacting with fresh and saltwater animals), Water Education Displays (A scale model of the Great Lakes that presents live animals and plants as well electronic simulated weather), and historically recreated schooner CHALLENGE (come aboard a sailing schooner inside the building and suspended from the second floor).Become a Techno-Cat interpreting the latest technology to explore and discover the world that can be yours.
Short orientation and training required (a few hours). Must be available weekly, bi-weekly or monthly at minimum of four hour shifts (9-1 or 1-5) Tuesday through Sundays. Minimum age for unsupervised teen is 15. Must be willing to speak with public. Many shifts do require a lot of standing.
Lead adult visitors through an interpretive tour of the facility. Tours may vary to group needs. Must be available at varied scheduled times as group tours are booked. Must be willing to speak with public. Tours do require a lot of walking.
Certified SCUBA divers assist our aquarist team in cleaning and tank maintenance within our fresh and salt water aquariums. Volunteers considering this position must be certified to use SCUBA and will be required to verify with our Aquarist that they hold the proper skills to work in a safe manner prior to their volunteer service. Diver schedules do vary but mostly needed in mornings during the week.
American Sign Language Interpreter
Use your expertise to assist our guests with hearing impairments. Volunteer Interpreters will be contacted based upon customer requests for various programs and events taking place at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin.
Volunteers working as "Gift Shop Associates" will assist our customers, conduct sales transactions, and assist in inventory and stocking tasks. A commitment of one four-hour shift per week for the duration of six months is required for Gift Shop Associates.
Volunteer Deck Hands on the S/V Denis Sullivan, a re-creation of an 1880’s Great Lakes cargo schooner assist with the operational needs of the vessel both at the docks and under sail. A multi-day informational and training session is required for anyone who wishes to pursue this opportunity. Position availability is limited on the basis of many factors including, but not limited to, the needs of the crew, weather factors, and sailing schedules.
Docents working in our aquariums are responsible for enhancing the guest experience by answering questions, operating exhibits, assisting guests in experiment areas, and providing factual information about the fish, habitats, and behind the scenes operations within our fresh and salt water aquariums.
Volunteers in this role work one regular four hour shift on a bi-weekly basis and are required to complete all applicable training and orientation sessions.
Shift Times
Tuesday-Sunday
9am - 1pm
1pm - 5pm
Volunteers working in this area provide support to the Manager of Volunteer Services and are involved in all areas of volunteer recruitment, training, recognition, and record keeping. Volunteers considering this position are asked to commit to a minimum of ten hours each week during regular business hours.
Volunteers in this role will assist with duties at the reception
desk which include providing customer service over the phone,
assisting with mailings, filling, data entry, and other administrative
duties.
Volunteers considering this position will be asked to commit
to working one shift per week.
Shift Times
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Newsletter assistants will assist in tasks associated
with the membership newsletter which will include planning
for the design and layout of the project, developing and/or collecting
articles, proofreading and editing, and aiding in product distribution.
Discovery World produces quarterly publications and asks that
volunteers considering this position are available to help
a minimum of one session per year. The time commitment within each session
is flexible and can be accommodated on site or virtually through internet
communication.
Session Dates
July 15 - August 15
October 15 - November 15
January 15 - February 15
April 15 - May 15
Project Assistant: Membership Department
Volunteers serving as membership assistants work to promote Discovery World membership programs by staffing booths at various special events and conferences, assisting with departmental office tasks such as distributions, phone based customer service, and membership processing. Volunteers in this area also aid in the production of the membership and e-member newsletters. Volunteers considering this position should be available for a minimum of one four-hour shift each week.
Shift Times
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Volunteers in this role assist with special events at Discovery World. Volunteer roles may include assisting in guest registration, traffic control, seating, parking assistance, set-up and tear-down, providing assistance to contracted entertainment, or assisting with activities for children, adults, or families. Special events positions are great one time or on-call volunteer opportunities that can accommodate families, individuals, or corporate teams.
Volunteers can spend the night at Discovery World as they assist with our Sleep-In program. Volunteers in this role provide leadership during scheduled activities for groups of 15-25 students ages 7-12 and their adult chaperones, assist our education staff, and aid in the set up and tear down of snacks, meals, and activities.
This program is flexible and ideal for individual or group involvement. Sign up for just one session or help out each month. Sleep-Ins take place on the third Friday of each month.
Shift Time
6:30 p.m. - 8 a.m. the next morning
Greeter/Information Desk Assistant
Volunteers in this role enhance the visitor experience by relaying pertinent information about the Discovery World experience at our information desk.
Volunteers wishing to work in this area are asked to commit to working at least one four hour shift each week.
Shift Times
Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Daily 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Volunteers in this role work in direct contact with freshwater sturgeon and salt water sharks while assisting aquarium guests and relaying information at the touch tanks. Volunteers play a key role in promoting safety for both our guests and the marine life in this area. Touch tank attendants work a regular, four hour shift on a bi-weekly basis.
Shift Times
Daily
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Volunteers working as aquarist assistants will assist with food preparation, monitor water quality, and aid in routine maintenance and cleaning tasks in our fresh and salt water aquariums. Volunteers considering this position must possess a strong background in biological sciences or have former experience working within aquariums.
Aquarist Assistants work one regular four-hour shift each week.
Shift Times
Daily
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
will develop and lead informal presentations to Discovery World guests showcasing interactive toys and gifts sold on-site. Volunteers working as Product Demonstrators enjoy a flexible schedule based on personal availability and organizational needs.
Volunteers who are trained in various areas of the trades are often needed to complete vessel related projects including plumbing, welding, electrical, and carpentry for the S/V Denis Sullivan, a re-creation of an 1880’s Great Lakes cargo schooner.
If you have background in the trades, and would like to volunteer your assistance as needed, please contact the Volunteer Services Department to discuss your skills and qualifications.
Volunteers can assist with the basic maintenance and repair needs of the S/V Denis Sullivan, a re-creation of an 1880’s Great Lakes cargo schooner. General tasks include painting, cleaning, carpentry projects, and tarring/tightening of the rigging.
Maintenance projects generally take place on Mondays during the Milwaukee season (May-September).
Help fulfill our mission
Work towards free membership
Annual recognition dinner
And much more!
Help sign up participants for our weekend lab programs. Keep track of class schedules and direct students to rooms.
Volunteers are needed to assist our education staff in repacking supply bins and possible assimilation of education materials. Needs vary from once a week to once a month.
Must have knowledge of Microsoft word and Excel. Help with the logistics of office duties.
Volunteers working as "Gift Shop Associates" will assist our customers, conduct sales transactions, and assist in inventory and stocking tasks. A commitment of one four-hour shift per week for the duration of six months is required for Gift Shop Associates.
Greet Discovery World guests at key points in the building, offer navigational assistance, distribute guides and general information.
Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin has a myriad of job opportunities available. Resumes are accepted by mail, fax or e-mail. Due to the volume of applications we receive, only those individuals who have been selected for interviews will be contacted.
If your organization regularly distributes information about employment opportunities, and would like to receive job vacancy notifications from Discovery World, please notify Human Resources by mail or e-mail to make your request.
Resumes may be sent to the attention of the Human Resources Department at:
- Discovery World
- 500 N. Harbor Drive
- Milwaukee, WI 53202
- Fax: 414-765-0311
- E-mail: carol@discoveryworld.org