custodian

security officer

guest service agent

barista

senior cook

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

Though this job gives you a decent benefits, there is no room for advancement at least you won't get one for a long time. It's very rare that you will get a raise and if you do it's very little. Everyone else in the museum pretty much makes more money than you which is unfair in every way considering custodians are more important than most when it comes to being essential. You do get discounts which is nice if you want to buy something or eat and of course getting to go to various places like the zoo and other museums for free is a plus. You get a family package as well for the museum you're working at which allows you up to seven people to come in with you but the downside is they have to pay to get into the IMAX or planetarium while you don't. If you're part-time however, that whole package is different. People don't stay long and the ones that do barely work because being paid so low and mistreated by the higher-ups doesn't give them much motivation to be the best they can be. Though the job is considerably easy, it can still be tiring especially when you have people that call off, then you're doing the work of three.

Working in a place that brings joy to children was fantastic, but the management lacked action and compassion.

My supervisor met with me after I'd worked there a year (the first year of the pandemic) and told me how grateful they were to have me, that they were going to train me on new things, how valuable an addition to the team I was, etc. 

In the months leading up to this conversation, my team's workload had dramatically increased due to a combination of COVID policies and technical problems, an issue compounded by the departure of one of my coworkers who was not replaced. Our compensation did not increase during this time, and all requests to correct key issues that created the problems were ignored by management. 

In this meeting, I asked to work four days a week instead of five and confided in my supervisor that I had been burning out. On the heels of being told how valuable I was, I was threatened with termination if I changed my availability. My supervisor told me that "it was good that I recognized that I was burning out, because not everyone does," and that they liked having me around but that I was replaceable if I could not handle the full time position. I quit shortly after. 

I would just stay away from this department all together. Since they hired a new manager in 2024 everything has significantly gone downhill. No benefits offered besides a 401k, managers can't properly order things in time so you're left with trying to improvise last minute. Manager picks favorites and if she doesn't like you you're likely not going to be employed much longer. They will make you drive to the facility only to send you home early over something dumb. The turnover has been so high in the past year with several employees bringing issues to the HR department, a department that ultimately gas lights the little guys when there are concerning issues. They are also hurting for funds and cutting costs like thanksgiving turkeys, employee meals, and even selling banquet food from the night before in the cafe. The museum was great during the first two years but eventually no one heard the cries of the people so we all left. Unless management is replaced it's not worth wasting your time on. 

The management at this job has ruined the experience of working for such a wonderful institution. Company culture completely changed upon hiring a new manager. Under this management they only cared about making money even though the museum is a non-profit. Working at the museum was once a fantastic place with a lively staff. Upon the change in management, the staff has constantly been under appreciated, under compensated, and simply not taken care of. When submitting my two weeks notice I was immediately not given any shifts and removed from payroll, making it very difficult to make enough money to pay rent. I strongly suggest avoiding working for this company, or at least in the Guest Services department, you will not make enough money to support yourself and you will constantly feel that you are not cared about. Hopefully the company culture will change, but with this current management, I doubt that anything will change for the better.

Working here was great because I felt like I was learning something new every single day. The job wasn't that hard, and once you pick it up, the busy days aren't that bad. You have the opportunity to watch the new movies, go on excavations sponsored by the museum, and see the new exhibits first. I liked to take my breaks on the Sky Terrace, looking at the city, and let me just say: best break room EVER. The management was great because they actually care about you, they're very understanding and treat you amazing. The hardest part of working there would be dealing with angry customers, which is not that hard if you know how to handle the situation. The most enjoyable part for me was how friendly everyone working there was, I made some great friends there.

I volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and it is a great experience. The Museum has been a great place for me to gain connections and to learn new things. A typical day for me consists of welcoming guests to the exhibit or helping guests in the exhibit. I have learned many new things, including new advances in medicine and how to become a better people person. The volunteer management staff is the best, always being welcoming and helpful. The culture of the museum is one of inclusiveness, always welcoming others and teaching new topics to people of all different backgrounds. The hardest part of the job is having to go home. I always want to stay a little later in order to help others and learn new things. The best part of the job is being able to feel satisfied that you helped others grow in their understanding of the natural world.

The museum is a wonderful place as a whole to support and work, but management in certain departments ranges from problematic to just mean. Innovation is not encouraged in forward facing roles and giving people above you in the hierarchy suggestions on new things to try is often taken as insubordination. The amount of drama, rumors/gossip and disrespect (both subtle and direct) really ruined what was initially a job I loved working at. I’ve spoken with a lot of former employees, both within my department and others, and my experience seems to be a fairly common one. 

I do miss the perks of working here-great overtime opportunities, holiday pay, best benefits package, free entry to other scfd buildings-but at the end of the day this job can drain your mental health. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Entertaining the community with scientific discoveries.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Really long hours and too much work without enough staff to do it.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Great if you have a good supervisor. Miserable if you have a bad supervisor.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
No two days are the same. Working with the public means every day is different.

I absolutely loved working at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It was an incredible experience that I would make my lifetime career if I had the means. I was only a volunteer but I would recommend working there part-time, full-time, or volunteering to anyone. It was an excellent work place. My coworkers were so nice and it was always like we were more like a family. My bosses are wonderful too! They always considered me and my time and they were always making sure I was comfortable and happy.

Working at the museum has been a super fun experience full of wonderful people that i've had the great honor of working with and consider good friends. However, if you have a terrible manager, you are going to be miserable; Which is what I have experienced in the Food Service department. The managers are complete bullies from my experience and many others, as the executive chef has made many talented individuals in this industry quit due to poor leadership. Avoid burnout by avoiding this department, unless you enjoy being degraded. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Custodian 9 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Security officer 14 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Guest service agent 13 salaries reported	$21.54 per hour
Barista 6 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Senior cook 8 salaries reported	$24.00 per hour

Working at DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE: Company Overview and Reviews

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

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