Offering a Wide Variety of Volunteer Opportunities
Throughout Reno County, people of all ages are needed to volunteer for non-profit and governmental organizations. The services they provide are important. The list is long and the opportunities are varied. Some volunteers choose to have a set schedule, others prefer to be on-call for special projects and still some choose seasonal opportunities. The staff at The Volunteer Center is happy to help you find a volunteer position that fits your time available and area of interest.
The Cosmosphere is dedicated to educating the general public about space exploration and the history of the space race. They have limited funds for staffing volunteers are utilized to assist and help our employees with their daily tasks. The Cosmosphere also brings in tourists outside of Reno County which helps boost the local economy. Volunteers must volunteer 20 hours per year to be considered "active". Benefits of volunteering at the Cosmosphere include an invitation to volunteer-only events including an annual service awards breakfast, special guest speakers, a discount on all purchases in the gift store, and free admission to all Cosmosphere venues.
Tour Docent-Volunteers will be a docent in the Hall of Space. The docent's personality and presentation set the tone for the visitor's experience at the Cosmosphere. The job of the docent in the Hall of Space is twofold; giving scheduled group tours and being available to answer visitors' questions about the exhibits. The majority of the tours are given to school groups, ranging in age from preschool through high school students. A docent needs to be comfortable with groups of students and, at times, assertive in keeping the group together. Some tours are also given to some adult groups. Tour groups are generally limited to 30. When not giving tours, the docent is requested to remain in the Hall of Space and be available to answer questions and visit with people touring our facility. It is also the responsibility of the docent to help maintain the security of the Hall of Space and be alert in preventing any vandalism. Docents are asked to choose one morning (9:00 a.m. - noon) or one afternoon (noon - 3:00 p.m.) each week to be in the Hall of Space. If a volunteer wishes to be called as a substitute rather than have a regularly scheduled day, this is also an option. It is necessary that the docent be prompt and reliable in reporting for tours. Docents are requested to wear red blazers, vests or shirts, and name tags that are provided by the Cosmosphere. Docents will shadow and be trained by other docents before doing tours on their own. Docents must be 18 years of age, friendly, patient, and enjoy working with children. Docents need a strong voice and must be able to easily climb stairs. An interest in learning the necessary information about the Hall of Space Museum exhibit is required. Training begins in coordination with the Cosmosphere staff and the volunteer.
Visitor Guide-Volunteers answer visitors' questions about the Cosmosphere, the programs, show times, prices, and general information about the Cosmosphere. They also refer people who have appointments with staff members to report to the administrative offices' reception area upstairs, assist Cosmosphere staff by assembling fliers, mailings, or other tasks on an occasional basis, occasionally leave the desk to assist visitors to other areas of the Cosmosphere and keep brochures stocked at the desk. Volunteers should be friendly and have an outgoing personality with an interest in dealing with the public. Volunteer needs to be familiar with all Cosmosphere programs and shows in order to answer questions about show content, prices, etc. or be willing to learn the information. Volunteers are needed during Cosmosphere open hours. Volunteers should be 18 years of age or older. Volunteers are needed during the Cosmosphere's open business hours and are flexible about shift times.
CosmoKids Area-Volunteers will assist patrons of the CosmosKids area. This STEM area is for children to learn about space and science, and includes building, rocket launching, and exploring activities. Volunteers will be at the desk located in the CosmoKids area and will hand out kits of activities or answer questions as needed. Volunteers are good with children, pleasant, and able to communicate well. Volunteers should be 16 years of age or older. Volunteers are needed during the Cosmosphere's open business hours and are flexible about shift times.
Dillon Nature Center is an urban sanctuary spanning 100 acres. Visitors can have many outdoor experiences such as the three miles of National Recreation trails, fishing on the stocked upper pond, canoeing, bird watching, and exploring plants and wildlife on the grounds. Visitors can also explore the Visitor's Center with the Closer Look at Nature exhibit and find some unique treasures at the Wild Things gift shop. Dillon Nature Center also provides educational tours to many schools and other groups.
Tour Guide-Dillon Nature Center conducts school programs for approximately 20,000 school children. Since the DNC is a non-profit organization, they do not have funding for paid docent positions. They rely on community volunteers to help educate youth about the environment and how to keep our community clean and vibrant. Volunteers will be trained to lead school children on nature walks. Volunteers must love the outdoors, be capable of walking up to a mile, have a good rapport with children, and a willingness to learn about environmental topics. Volunteers are needed during open hours from September through May on an as-needed basis to give tours.
Playscape Volunteer-Playscape volunteers provide a safe environment for children in our community to experience outdoor play. Volunteers will clean and maintain the Jim Smith Family Playscape, sweep and shovel sand, replace art items in bins, move small logs or rocks as needed, and pick up trash. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or with an adult if younger, be able to stand, bend over, sweep, lift, and move small logs, and be able to withstand hot temperatures. Volunteers are needed for at least one hour each week.
Groundsperson-Volunteers water flowers in Playscape and the terraces, and pull weeds. Must be at least 16 years old and able to roll and unroll and move watering hoses, have the ability to stand for one hour, bend over, and be able to withstand hot temperatures. Previous gardening experience is helpful by not required. Volunteers are needed at any time during open hours.
Yardwork- volunteers will be watering, weeding, mowing, moving irrigation rainbirds, trimming trails, picking up litter and bagging trash from various areas in the park, tilling, leaf grinding, and other outdoor projects. Volunteers must be dependable, able to handle temperature extremes, able to bend and stand for an hour, and able to move a watering hose. Previous gardening experience is helpful. Volunteers are needed at any time during open hours.
Registration-Volunteers register donors, check off appointments, write in the walk-in donors, make appointments for the next blood drive, and guide donors to the next step of donation.
Escort/Canteen-Volunteers assist donors after donation as needed, as well as serve donors a meal and monitor them after giving a blood donation.
Information Desk-Volunteers are needed to help at the information desk located at the front counter of the hospital. Volunteers will greet visitors, answer the telephone, and look up patient information in the computer. Volunteers must be 18 years of age. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m.-1:00p.m., and 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. (Shift times are negotiable if needed.)
ICU and Same Day Surgery Waiting Rooms-Volunteers and substitute volunteers are also needed at the ICU waiting room and same day surgery waiting room to help monitor the sign-in of family visitors, visit with families when needed, notify staff when people have arrived, etc. as needed by HRMC during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m.-1:00p.m. or 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
Gift Shop-Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 9a.m.-12:30p.m., or 12:30p.m.-4:00p.m., or Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30p.m.-4:00p.m. Volunteers will greet customers, and help them purchase items. Volunteers will use a cash register to do so. (Shift times can be negotiated if needed.)
Gift Shop-Greet zoo visitors and provide information about the zoo in general. Sell train tickets, assist customers in the gift shop, run the cash register, bag purchases, explain products to people and keep an eye on every one in the shop. Will also receive membership dues, animal adoption funds and other donations. Volunteer must be 16 years of age.
Train Engineer-Greet zoo visitors, provide them with general information, direct them to the gift shop to purchase tickets for the train ride, and operate the 16 gauge train for the Prairie Thunder Railroad. Volunteer must be comfortable and competent operating a gas engine train, and have a valid driver's license. Volunteer must be 21 and commit to 6 months.
Animal Care Attendant-Assist the keepers with daily animal husbandry and special projects as needed. This position does not include direct animal contact or unsupervised work in animal areas. Examples of duties are doing animal laundry, washing dishes, preparing diets, cleaning public areas, service areas and animal enclosures. Volunteer will be mostly outside in the elements. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and commit to volunteering for at least 6 months.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Intake Volunteer-Volunteers will complete administrative work including answering and returning phone calls about rehabilitation center animals, assist guests bringing in animals for rehabilitation, ensure paperwork is filled out and potentially assist staff in intake exam and set up. Volunteer will work with staff until they are able to work independently. Volunteers must be calm under pressure, have basic phone and reading skills, be able to follow instructions, and interact well with people. A commitment of 6 months or more is needed to volunteer.
Grounds-Volunteers are needed to help maintain and enhance the grounds at the zoo. This could be weeding, watering, planting, leaf removal and more. These volunteers help make the guest's experience at the zoo a great one by contributing to the beauty of the grounds.
Special project volunteers are needed to help with one time projects including bulk mailings and community events. Special projects can include children's carnivals and events, mailings, helping with fundraisers for non-profits, working events during Third Thursday in downtown Hutchinson, assisting with 5K runs, working athletic events at Hutchinson Community College, helping with Halloween and Christmas events, and much more!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Reno County are seeking individuals and families to be matched with at-risk girls or boys between the ages of 5 and 17 to serve as positive influences in their lives. Volunteers must make a one-year commitment and meet with their little brother/sister once a week for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Visits can take place in the community, or school based matches can be made. Qualifications include the ability to successfully complete the application process which includes a background check.
Friends in Action matches caring volunteers with seniors aged 65 and over to help them remain independent, improve their social and emotional well-being, and provide companionship. Friends in Action is a program of The Volunteer Center. We match volunteers and their senior friends after a thorough screening process. Volunteers and their seniors meet once a week. Volunteers will complete an orientation and must pass a background check.
Substitute clerks are needed to fill in Monday through Friday afternoons from 12:45 p.m.-approximately 4 p.m. Substitute clerks will be contacted when needed. Volunteers will work with two to three other volunteers stocking shelves and filling food orders. Volunteers will need to be able to stand for up to 4 hours, be able to bend and lift, and be able to get along with others.