Volunteer & Internship Opportunities

Share our mission & make a difference as a Schiele Volunteer or Intern!

Schiele volunteers and interns play an essential role in sharing our exhibits, resources, and educational programming with the public. We are always looking out for dynamic and passionate people to help promote our mission of inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world.

Volunteering

The Schiele is currently accepting volunteer applications for Summer Camp volunteers only. Please check back for more opportunities in the near future.

Build relationships, assist with exciting programming, and have FUN this summer as a volunteer at The Schiele’s Summer Camp. Open to teens and adults. Choose mornings (8 AM – 12 PM) or afternoons (1 PM – 5 PM) during summer months.

  • All volunteers are subject to a background check in order to qualify.
  • Volunteers under the age of 18 will be required to provide 2 letters of recommendation along with their application, and will need written consent from a parent or guardian.
apply to volunteer

Internships

Summer Internship applications are now closed. Watch for fall internship applications to open soon!

The Schiele’s internship program provides students with educational opportunities in the area of museum practice, research, and programming. Through guided work and research, Schiele interns participate in a structured learning experience using the museum’s resources. An internship at The Schiele is under the direct supervision of Schiele staff and may apply toward academic credit. Most interns work 15 to 25 hours a week and some choose to find a part-time job to help support their stay. Interns at the Schiele Museum of Natural History will support day to day operations that will vary based on your specific internship pathway. 

All internships are to be completed in person. No virtual internships are available at this time.

Institutional Summary

The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located in Gastonia, NC and serves nearly 200,000 visitors in the Charlotte-Metro region annually. We are proud affiliates of the Smithsonian and ASTC. The Schiele Museum offers a wide variety of experiences from summer camps, science labs, Catawba Indian village, farm, digital planetarium, and more! The Schiele Museum of Natural History is committed to inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world through exceptional educational programs, exhibits, and research. We serve a varied audience including students on field trips, family outings, community partners through outreach, adult-only programs and workshops, families via summer day camps and organized youth organizations through camp-ins.

Duration

Part time and full time internships are offered at the Schiele Museum of Natural History. Part time opportunities are available in the summer, though preference will be given to full time applicants.

Full-time: 32 hours per week

Part-time: 12 hours per week 

Spring Internships

January – April (apply by November 30)

Summer Internships

May – August (apply by March 31)

Fall Internships

September – December (apply by August 31)

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years old and currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a higher education facility, such as a community college, state college or university, or private university
  • Ability to follow all Schiele Museum protocols, including COVID practices
  • Ability and willingness to try new experiences within the museum
  • Strong ability to work independently after sufficient training and experience
  • Comfortable speaking in public and engaging with guests
  • Strong communication skills
  • Must carry a positive attitude
  • Need to be willing to work weekends, holidays and occasional evenings

Compensation

  • This is an unpaid internship. No monetary compensation is available.
  • Housing is available on-site, on a limited number, first-come, first-served basis for all interns across several departments at the Schiele Museum of Natural History.
  • One-year membership to Schiele Museum and ASTC Travel Passport Program
  • We support academic credit at your institution of choice
  • Networking – making connections with other individuals in the museum
  • Plenty of opportunities to customize your internship experience with special projects tailored to your interests.
  • Food and transportation are not provided.

Types of Internships

Click on the internship for its specific overview, criteria & person of contact.

Agricultural Science

Anthropology and Cultural History Education

Childhood Education

Educational Animal Programs

Environmental Science

General Education 

Museum Live Animal Husbandry

Outreach Education

Planetarium Astronomy

Planetarium Early Childhood Education

Planetarium Meteorology 

Volunteer Management

Searching for a paid position? Find job opportunities at The Schiele.

The Schiele Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/H

Offers of employment are contingent upon candidates meeting the essential functions of the position and passing a controlled substance evaluation prior to the employment. For some positions, physicals, driver checks, and polygraph evaluations are required. The Schiele Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Placement is based on ability and qualifications without regard to age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or disability. The museum ensures fair treatment in recruitment, selection, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, and access to all museum sponsored programs.