Work-Study & Internships

OMSI has a wide range of work-study and internship opportunities serving students with professional, impactful avenues to engage in experiential and community-based learning. Learn more about opportunities and requirements below!

Thank you for your interest

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OMSI is currently closed to the public. Because we do not yet have a confirmed reopen date, we are not currently accepting internship or Work-Study applications. Use the form below to submit your contact information, and we will contact you once we reopen applications. For more information, contact volunteer@omsi.edu or call 503.239.7814.

Interest Form

Current Work-study Opportunities

Were you awarded a federal work-study award in your financial aid package?

OMSI is partnered with numerous colleges and universities in the Portland metropolitan area and beyond. Check if your school is one of OMSI’s current partners! We have a wide-range of work-study opportunities serving students with professional and impactful avenues to engage in experiential and community-based learning.
 

Our Partners

  • Portland State University

  • Reed College

  • Lewis & Clark College

  • Portland Community College

  • Mount Hood Community College

  • University of Portland

 

Our work-study students engage the museum in a diverse set of ways; check out our opportunities in our seven departments which offer transformational engagement experiences to students – giving back to the community. OMSI can provide a positive and engaging avenue to your education and career development. The avenues are limitless!

 

New Applicants

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Returning Applicants

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Center for Innovation - Work-study

OMSI’s Center for Innovation (C4I) is an educational development group committed to revolutionizing science learning through new programming, experiences, and spaces that empower and engage youth through hands-on STEAM learning opportunities. 

As a work-study student in this area, you will primarily facilitate hands-on Design Challenges with visitors of all ages. You may also participate in helping to design, develop, test, and evaluate activities and experiences. This position is for the Center for Innovation (C4I) and reports to the Turbine Hall Assistant Manager.

Position Details
Citizen Science and Forum Community Engagement Student - Work-study

The Citizen Science and Forum Community Engagement Student (CSF-CES) will support the work of the Education Department in coordinating a climate change related public forum and citizen science project in partnership with community organizations. The CSF-CES position will assist with researching climate change hazards (notably extreme heat,) developing community partnerships, and planning a citizen science project and public forum. The CSF-CES has three main roles: (1) assist and work alongside staff exploring extreme heat as a climate change hazard, (2) facilitate climate change related educational activities, including a public forum and (3) recruit for and coordinate a citizen science program.  At the supervisor’s discretion, some of the student’s time may also be spent on special projects.

 

*Please note that this is a work-study and community engagement position is only available to Reed College students

Position Details
Featured Exhibit Science Educator - Work-study

The Featured Exhibit Hall displays touring exhibits on loan to OMSI for short engagements. These short-term exhibits introduce visitors to a wide range of topics, from music to mummies! The Featured Exhibit Work-Study position has three main roles: (1) facilitate visitor learning experiences with informal interactions, demonstrations, and activities, (2) assist and work alongside volunteers in the exhibit and (3) provide customer service. At the supervisor’s discretion, some of the student’s time may also be spent on special projects.

 

Below is a description of Work Study responsibilities for the upcoming exhibit, Body Worlds, on view March 7 – September 14, 2020.

Position Details
Physics Lab Educator - Work-study

The Physics Lab invites students to explore and teach physical science through hands-on interactive exhibits and demonstrations in the Physics Lab and Turbine Hall. Visitors to the Physics Lab explore concepts such as electricity, magnetism, optics, sound and more. Home to some of OMSI’s longtime favorite activities like the one-of-a-kind hand cranked Van de Graaff generator, the Physics Lab is growing to include a 3-D printer, and new activities to go along with the classics!

The Physics Lab Educator Work-Study position has two roles: (1) to facilitate visitor learning experiences with informal interactions, demonstrations, and lab activities and (2) to assist with maintenance and daily operations of the labs. 

Position Details

Current Internship Opportunities

Forget making coffee and running errands. Our internships are built with you and your professional goals in mind. Our program is competitive, but we’re eager to hear from you. Internships are unpaid and are typically a twelve-week commitment.

Hoping to get credit? Contact your advisor or department chair to inquire about your school's policy and procedures for awarding credit for internships.

Public Programs Internship

The Public Programs Intern has three main roles: (1) researching interesting and current topics in science, (2) developing creative and engaging educational programing for primarily adult audiences, and (3) facilitating guest learning experiences. 

Position Details

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Equity & Inclusion Internship

The Volunteer Engagement Specialist assists with coordination of support and implementation of policies relating to OMSI’s volunteers. They will support facilitation and evaluation of professional development trainings. 

Position Details

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The Featured Exhibit Internship

The Featured Exhibit Intern position has three main roles:
(1) facilitate visitor learning experiences with informal interactions, demonstrations, and activities, (2) assist and work alongside volunteers in the exhibit and (3) provide customer service.

OMSI's upcoming temporary exhibit is BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life. At the supervisor’s discretion, some of the intern’s time may also be spent on special projects.

Position Details

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Teen Tech Center Internship

The Teen Tech Center is a free multimedia and creative technology-focused maker space specifically for ages 13-18. Intern will provide support for teens so they can express themselves creatively and gain hands-on experience with high tech tools.

Position Details

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Physics Lab Curriculum Internship

The Physics Lab Curriculum Assistant will support in the curation of demonstrations and activities available to Physics Lab visitors—documenting inventory, curriculum, and materials for each as needed.

Position Details

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Early Childhood Education Internship

This internship reports to Museum Education staff in the Science Playground and Discovery Lab, where young children ages 0-6 learn and explore in fun, developmentally appropriate settings.

Interns assist in maintaining the physical spaces, supporting parents and children while they experience activities and exhibits, and ensuring the safety of our youngest visitors and their families. 

Position Details

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Feeling creative? Propose an internship.

How? Send a letter of interest describing your goals—including your desired time commitment and a proposed schedule—along with your resume and internship application. We will contact you from there.

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