Join Our Team
Employment
Student Employment
The Great Valley Museum is always on the look out look for current students who have been approved for Federal Work Study or CalWorks. The hourly pay rate for student employees is the current California minimum wage. In order to be considered for employment all student employees must have at least 6 units during the Fall or Spring semester or 3 units during the Summer semester. You must also be a US citizen or International Student authorized to work in the US. In order to apply, please submit a resume and cover letter in pdf format to gvm@mjc.edu. Be sure to write "Museum Assistant" in the subject line.
If you meet the above qualifications you may be invited to an interview. Interviewees are chosen by evaluating the current qualified pool of applications. Proper documentation will be required upon acceptance of employment. YCCD requires all new employees, including students, to undergo fingerprinting for criminal history background checks ($60+, depending on fingerprinting location). The cost of these checks are the new hires responsibility.
Traveling Teacher (Outreach) Employment
The Great Valley Museum (GVM) Traveling Teacher Program is a long established educational outreach program. Our part-time teachers are sent to elementary schools throughout Stanislaus and adjacent counties and present material using visual aids and hands-on activities. Each program is one to two hours in length and are adjusted for various grade levels. Programs are correlated with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) whenever appropriate. Traveling Teacher Program assignments vary from month to month and there is no guaranteed set number of programs or salary. GVM Traveling Teachers are a stipend position and receive no benefits. New hires must observe programs by an experienced teacher prior to assignment. Observations are not paid.
Applicants must have working experience with elementary school students such as a summer camp counselor, classroom assistant, retired teacher or enrolled in a credential program. Multiple Subject (Elementary) students or recent graduates of a credential program are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a current CA Drivers License, own mode of transportation and the ability to transport 2-4 bins of educational material to and from the school sites. There is a personal vehicle mileage reimbursement.
Send your resume to gvm@mjc.edu along with the days and times you are available. Be sure to write "Traveling Teacher Application" in the subject line.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
Did you know the Great Valley Museum (GVM) cannot operate without the support of amazing volunteers like you? Volunteering with the museum gives you the opportunity to work with the public, have a great time, meet others who are also passionate about natural history, science and supporting a fabulous local non-profit organization. Museum volunteering is ideal for retirees, students, teachers or anyone who enjoys the reward of being part of something bigger.
The museum is open to the public 5 days out of the week but volunteers can be utilized any day of the week. Our volunteers work individually or in groups performing a variety of duties throughout the museum. If you are interested in becoming a Docent we invite you to attend one of our monthly volunteer orientations to receive a general overview of the GVM Docent program. All those who have attended orientation are then invited complete a 3-day training session, fill out a volunteer packet and be Live Scanned (fingerprinted/background check). Live Scan costs are the volunteers responsibility and are performed after the training session. All volunteers receive an initial one free year individual museum membership upon completion of their live-scan.
Our docents must provide a minimum of 3 volunteer hours (one gallery shift) a month and a minimum of 48 hours a year. There are two main areas in which our docents assist: those who work in the gallery and attend various events (Gallery) and those who conduct group tours (Tours). Gallery work consists of a wide range of essential operational and foundation services within the museum. Their main focus is in gallery help but can work side-by-side with staff in marketing, handle phone inquiries, staffing the Nature Shop, animal care, and various other tasks. Tours require our docents to engage visitors by conducting tours for schools and other groups through the museum. Animal and Science On a Sphere presentation training is also available.
How do I get Started?
- The first step is to visit the museum!
- Have a chat with the museum staff in order to be see where you will best fit in at the museum.
- Sign up for the next docent orientation on our SignUpGenius website HERE. Volunteer orientations are held on the last Friday of every month from 1-2pm.
- After attending a monthly orientation, sign up for the next bi-yearly trainings. You can do that HERE. Volunteer trainings are held in August and February each year.
- Fill out the application packet and bring with you to the first day of training. You can print an application packet from HERE. *Do not have fingerprinting done until after the training.
- Attend all three days of docent training.
- Schedule time to share your love our local natural history and science with the community!