Great Valley Museum & Planetarium

The Great Valley Museum opens minds, touches hearts, and inspires action towards discovering, appreciating, and preserving our natural heritage and environment.  Science literacy and the unique Central Valley are promoted by engaging students, educators and the community through onsite and outreach programs.  The museum serves as a resource to Modesto Junior College and local educational institutions.  The GVM is located on the first floor of the Science Community Center on the west campus of Modesto Junior College.  We offer school group tours that cover the natural history and various habitats of the Central Valley of California.

The Great Valley Museum financially sustains it-self through admissions, tours, outreach & onsite programs and donations.  Additional funding and support provided by the MJC Community Lifelong Learning Development department, Yosemite Community College District, Modesto Junior College and Modesto Junior College Foundation.

Join the Museum Team

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.

Student Employment

The Great Valley Museum is always looking current, self-motivating MJC students wanting an enriching and unique job opportunity on campus.  To apply for student employment, please submit a resume, cover letter and class schedule in pdf format to gvm@mjc.edu.  Be sure to write "Museum Assistant Application" in the subject line.

• Federal Work Study and CalWorks student are encouraged to apply.
• 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.

Traveling Teacher (Outreach) Employment

The Great Valley Museum Traveling Teacher Program is a long-established educational outreach program.  Our part-time teachers are sent to elementary schools throughout Stanislaus and adjacent counties to present science and natural history education 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.  To apply for traveling teacher employment, please submit your resume, days and times of the week you are available to chunge@mjc.edu.  Be sure to write "Traveling Teacher Application" in the subject line.

• 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.
• Assignments vary from month to month and there is no guaranteed set number of programs or salary.
• Traveling Teachers are a stipend position and receive no benefits.

Volunteer Opportunities

Did you know the Great Valley Museum cannot operate without the support of amazing docents 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 has options during general public hours but docents can be utilized any day of the week.  Our docents work individually or in groups performing a variety of duties throughout the museum.  A Live Scan (fingerprinted/background check) is required and is the responsibility of the volunteer.  Volunteers receive an initial one free year individual museum membership upon completion of their live-scan.

Our docents are asked to volunteer a minimum of once a month.  The two main areas in which our docents assist us are those who work in the gallery learning our exhibits and sharing that knowledge with public visitors and those who conduct group tours for schools and other groups.  If you are interested in becoming a docent and would like to learn know, please reach out to the GVM Director at 209-548-5773 to discuss a general overview of our volunteer program. 

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