Volunteer
Welcome to volunteering at the ROM!
The ROM connects its visitors to their communities, their world, and to each other. It’s our hope that when you volunteer at the ROM we inspire you with the amazing, one of a kind objects in our collection and that you impart a sense of wonder and share stories about your ROM discoveries with our visitors.
With our large number of visitors, and extensive collections of over 12.5 million objects and specimens, we need additional help to inspire curiosity, make new discoveries, and share wonder. As a volunteer you will join our already diverse and vibrant volunteer community that brings a variety of different skills and experiences to the ROM. We would be delighted for you to join our enthusiastic team.
The ROM recognizes that as a volunteer you give your time, abilities and enthusiasm freely to help us and we appreciate this significant support. As a ROM volunteer, you will have wonderful time as a valued, indispensable part of our team that strives to create a welcoming environment for our many visitors. In return, we hope to give you an opportunity to explore our vast collections, to learn new things, and to share your skills and interests while making great new friends.
How to Volunteer
We believe everyone has different skills and experiences to bring to the ROM, and hope to welcome you all. We will make every effort to find a volunteer role that fits your unique lifestyle and matches your skills and availability. Please note that this process may take time, as we might not immediately have a placement that fits your needs.
The majority of our opportunities require volunteers be at least 18 years old.
A few volunteer areas require museum membership and a donation while some roles involve working with children or vulnerable populations. Please be aware we reserve the right to require a background check to ensure a safe learning environment.
We will determine if there is a suitable placement for you and will inform you of the next steps to take in your volunteering journey.
We greatly appreciate your interest and hope to find a fantastic volunteering opportunity that fits your unique skills and interests. However, if we are unable to find a placement for you, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and would be delighted to provide additional feedback.
Our Commitment
- A rewarding and fulfilling experience, opportunities for intellectual and personal enrichment, and community involvement
- Respect and treat volunteers as a valued member of the team
- An understanding of the Museum’s Mandate, Vision, Values and Objectives
- A transparent and fair recruitment, selection and screening process, a job description, orientation, training and supervision for the position you accept
- Clear management practices and procedures
- Support and feedback on your performance
- Recognition for your contributions
- A work environment that is collegial and safe
- An I.D. badge, after a probationary commitment, giving you access to Museum galleries and special exhibitions, 10% discount in the Museum’s gift shops and reciprocal benefits at other local attractions
- Serve as an ambassador for the Museum
- Apply their skills, abilities and experience in support of the Museum’s initiatives
- Value all staff, volunteers and visitors and recognize the rights of all to be treated with respect and courtesy
- Welcome, direct your attention to, and engage visitors when in public areas of the Museum
- Demonstrate an enthusiastic and positive attitude, work with integrity and respect, and act as a steward of the Museum’s collections
- Support the staff and other volunteers of the Museum and accept their guidance and direction
- Avoid conflict of interest and keep confidential any proprietary information gained during your association with the Museum
- Participate in training sessions and meetings relating to volunteering
- Commit to an agreed upon number of volunteer hours
You can get involved with as many things as you have interest in as well as what you have time for.
Department of Museum Volunteers
Are you passionate about art, culture, and nature? Are you inspired by great museums and learning about artifacts, galleries, and new exhibitions? Join the Department of Museum Volunteers (DMV), a dedicated team of volunteers at ROM. By volunteering, you will use your talents to support ROM, and gain valuable experience and knowledge.
The DMV offers a variety of opportunities to interact with the public and ROM members. You can assist visitors, lead tours, or help with outreach beyond the museum. Or you may choose to support the organization volunteering “behind the scenes”.
Volunteering at ROM is very rewarding. DMV volunteers enhance the learning and excitement that visitors experience at the museum as they share their enthusiasm for 4 billion years of beauty and wonder. Volunteers learn and develop new skills while creating new friendships.
Volunteer at ROM
At the DMV, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusivity foundational to our success. We seek to foster a volunteer workplace that reflects the full breadth of the communities we serve and invite applications from everyone, especially Indigenous people, Black people, and people of colour (IBPOC), 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and people with disabilities, and members of the Deaf community.
- Know you are providing valuable support for a world class museum and enhancing the experience of visitors.
- Enjoy behind the scenes tours and learning opportunities.
- Access the DMV centre and ROM libraries.
- Social events throughout the year, including Seasonal Celebration and Awards Ceremony.
- DMV Speakers Series, with guests from ROM and other cultural institutions.
- Free ROM admission tickets and RAD tickets.
- Discounts at the café and gift shop.
Anyone wishing to become a DMV volunteer must:
- be 18 years of age or older.
- have or obtain a valid ROM membership before volunteer training begins.
- agree to a criminal background check (by a third party).
When you complete your volunteer training and become an active volunteer, a token, annual DMV donation is required.
Please note the time commitment for volunteer activities varies from group to group. All volunteers are expected to follow and respect ROM and DMV policies and practices.
At this time we are NOT accepting applications. Please check back in 2025 for more opportunities
DMV Opportunities
You’ll find Visitor Guide volunteers at the Plan Your Visit desk in the entrance to ROM! They help visitors plan their day, including providing maps in several languages, information about the Museum, its collections, and special exhibitions, and promoting ROM and DMV activities.
New volunteers are encouraged to join the Visitor Guides to learn about what’s happening at ROM and master their knowledge of how to get around the Museum. A short training session will be provided.
Need help finding the mummies? Confused as to which elevator to take? The Visitor Wayfinders are essential in helping guide visitors around ROM. Watch for their ROM lanyards and information badges and feel free to approach them with your questions.
New volunteers are also encouraged to join the Visitor Wayfinders to master their communication and interpersonal skills as well as their knowledge of the Museum’s layout. A short training session will be provided.
Interested in learning about ROM’s collections? The Gallery Interpreters provide an interactive experience to visitors, enhancing and enriching their enjoyment of ROM. Find them in the gallery and general Museum spaces wearing their red jackets and vests.
Gallery Interpreters use hands-on objects (either real or reproductions) to engage with visitors in a Q&A format to relate the objects to stories and themes in the Museum. Training will be provided.
To enhance the visitor experience, Docents provide tours of ROM’s permanent collections as well as special exhibitions. To learn about upcoming tours, visit the Tours page.
Docents have an extensive knowledge of ROM’s history and permanent collections and offer 45-minute tours that sample the entire Museum as well as specific galleries or themes. They also offer private group tours and tours for persons with special needs.
Please note: Volunteers must have at least 1 year of experience in the DMV to be eligible to apply for training. Extensive training sessions will be provided.
Daily 45-minute tours are also offered in French by the Guides du ROM. This team of tour guides are fluent in French and offer tours of Museum highlights, specific galleries, and themes, as well as special exhibitions. To learn about upcoming French tours, visit the Tours page.
Please note: Volunteers must be fluent (speaking, reading, and writing proficiency) in French before applying. Training on becoming a Guides will be provided.
ROMForYou develop and deliver presentations to both adult and children’s groups outside of ROM. Their mission is to bring the Museum to communities around Toronto and the GTA. Volunteers develop presentations, prepare scripts, and create physical programming (ex. crafts for children). Presentations are provided either in-person or online.
Join ROMForYou for an opportunity to share ROM’s collections and stories with the public. Training will be provided.
Want to learn more about historic Toronto neighbourhoods? ROMWalks offers free and paid historical, artistic, and architectural tours between May and September rain or shine! Learn about their 2023 schedule.
Please note: New volunteers must be comfortable with public speaking and be able to lead a 2-hour walk. Join this amazing team of volunteers today, training will be provided.
ROMBus volunteers produce and deliver day trips around Toronto and the GTA to places and communities of cultural and historical interest, such as the Toronto Islands and Murals of Islington. Learn about their 2023 trips.
These bus trips are led by a special guide, including ROM and University of Toronto experts, and include a lunch. Join ROMBus today! Training will be provided.
Interested in travelling the world? The ROMTravel team of volunteers plan and arrange international trips in coordination with travel agencies. Learn about their upcoming 2023 and 2024 trips.
Join ROMTravel for a chance at planning these amazing trips. Training will be provided.
Receptionists in the DMV volunteer centre play an important role in supporting and assisting volunteers, staff, and members of the public. They respond to telephone inquiries, perform office duties, and maintain the centre and library.
We encourage new volunteers to join this amazing team, as it is a great opportunity to meet other DMV volunteers and staff. Training will be provided.
The DMV has many behind-the-scenes committees, including:
- Volunteer Records
- Treasury
- Social Committee
- Communications
- System Services
- Newsletter
- Awards
ROMKids Camp
One of the city’s most creative and diverse camps for over 85 years, we offer an exciting array of fun, activity-based programs inspired by the collections and research of our world-class museum. ROM’s fascinating galleries, authentic artifacts and outstanding professional staff guarantee that our camp experience will be hard to beat.
ROMKids uses hands-on learning to highlight our amazing collection and cutting-edge research, takes a multi-disciplinary approach to programming, and works to connect children and their families to the exciting life-long learning available through our camps like Summer Club, March Break Camp and Saturday Club, as well as our early learners program ROMKids Jr. Our programs seek enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers who love sharing the Museum with children and families.
Through this experience volunteers are exposed to many subject areas and experts, allowing them to learn about the various careers available in science, history, education, art, and museums.
About ROMkids Camp
Volunteers act as assistants to the course instructors. Some of the ways they help are by:
- preparing material for activities
- facilitating children's activities
- helping with clean-up after activities
- assisting in escorting children through the Museum and on field trips
- providing supervision during breaks
- support the learning of children ages 2 to 16
- learn more about Saturday Club, PA Day Camp, & ROMKids Jr!
During the 2023/2024 programming season, our 250+ volunteers contributed over 18,000 hours+!
If you are responsible, enthusiastic and enjoy working with children, then we want you! See below for current opportunities!
ROM Camp for the 2024/2025 school year
Saturday Club (Fall, Winter, Spring), PA Day Camp, March Break Camp application.
Virtual orientation/information session for Fall programs takes place on Thursday, October 17th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Link and more information to be sent out via email.
Holiday Camp 2025
TBA.
Summer Club 2025
Please check in April/May 2025.
- ROMKids volunteer positions are ideal for high school and post/secondary students, as well as those interested in a museum, science, art, history, or education-based career.
- If you are interested in doing your co-op, placement, or internship with ROMKids please email studio@rom.on.ca directly.
- Contact: Email (preferred): studio@rom.on.ca Phone: 416 586 8043
- Email us to join our mailing list and get the latest updates on our volunteering opportunities!
Visitors from around the world flock to our three permanent, interactive galleries at the ROM. Our hands-on galleries depend on a team of over 200 dedicated volunteers who engage visitors in various ways. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for people who enjoy working with children in a fun and immersive environment.
Galleries
The Schad Gallery engages with visitors with a “hands-on” approach using museum specimens to talk about the diversity of life on the planet and the challenges facing its conservation. These conversations happen in Earth Rangers Studio – where volunteers and staff welcome learners to explore topics such as biodiversity, migration, coral reefs, and beyond.
For more information, visit the Schad Gallery web page.
Volunteer facilitators engage with visitors (mainly families and school groups) using activity stations, interactive components and museum objects. From the beehive to the touch tables, this environment offers a range of opportunities for volunteers to explore museum education principles in real-time, grow interpersonal skills, and learn science communication.
For further information, visit the Hands-on Biodiversity web page.
The WonderWorks Gallery is an open play-based learning space where children and families engage with a variety of play spaces, including puzzles, a story nook, and interactive opportunities that foster imagination and creativity. From building a dinosaur to creating a flower out of magnets, our volunteer facilitators engage with families through play, storytelling, and encouraging visitors to make connections with others in the space.
For additional information, visit the WonderWorks webpage.
About Hands-on Galleries
- Work alongside other volunteers and staff as a team, ensuring the gallery meets its goal of providing fun, hands-on learning experiences.
- Engage directly with the public with learning tools, i.e. discovery boxes, activities, play stations, storytelling, and specimens.
- Welcome school groups, visitors, and families of varying interests and abilities through excellent customer service
- Engage with visitors in lively, often busy environments.
- Learn new things on-the-go through experiential learning and open-ended play.
- Applicants must be 18 or older and have a High School Diploma. University Degree, or working on a university degree, is considered an asset
- Able to make a consistent commitment of one four-hour shift every week for one year including the summer months and holidays
- Previous experience working with children is essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience working in a crowded and noisy environment
- Proficiency in English; bilingualism is an asset
- Able to work well as part of a team under the direction and supervision of staff
- Enthusiasm for educational museum work, experiential education and volunteering with children
The Youth Cabinet is a multicultural youth cabinet, composed of 10-15 members with representation from Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth are welcome to apply! The YC uses an Indigenous framework with a for-youth-by-youth philosophy to provide members with the tools they need to build leadership skills, explore their community, and tell their stories. With the support of local Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and artists, YC members work towards a culminating youth-centred project that cultivates their communication, leadership, and technical skills. Learn more about the past YC projects here: www.rom.on.ca/en/learning/rom-youth-cabinet
For more information about joining, please contact: Leslie McCue, Indigenous Museum Educator & YC Facilitator, lmccue@rom.on.ca.
About Youth Cabinet
January/February to June/July with possible succession plan and/or extensions for longer terms to build continuity and a long-term working relationship with the ROM. YC members are expected to attend weekly In-person meetings that are approximately 1-2 hours in length but will not exceed 4 hours. Additional tasks/meetings may be taken on by members, when working towards projects/large events, at their convenience.
Youth Cabinet’s role will be to develop projects/events that empower youth who may visit the ROM. In addition, the Youth Cabinet may be invited to share their input with other ROM departments.
- Youth ages 15-21
- Motivated and passionate about working as a team
- Interested in art, culture, and nature
- A drive for creating change and helping community
- A rewarding and fulfilling experience, opportunities for intellectual and personal enrichment, and community involvement
- Access to virtual behind-the-scenes opportunities at the ROM
- Education/employment letter of support
- Volunteer hours, if needed