Volunteering

Membership Volunteer

Our Membership Department is looking for a volunteer to come in 1 or 2 days per month (approximately 7 hours total per month) and stuff envelopes for our monthly mailing. This job will need to be done Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM.

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Mariners’ Museum Gift Shop Volunteer

The Mariners’ Museum Gift Shop is looking for volunteers. They will work directly under the supervision of the Shop Merchandiser as well as other Visitor Services staff members.

• Attention to detail
• Excellent customer service skills
• Interest in retail, merchandising, or other customer service fields

Duties:

• Pricing new merchandise that arrives
• Keeping our displays beautiful, clean and organized
• Handing out glasses at our 3D Theater
• Gift wrapping purchases for guests during the holiday season
• Providing excellent customer service to our guests

Work Schedule:

4 to 5 hours per day, one day per week. The hours and days are negotiable.

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Lectures Volunteer

Work Location: Education Department

Job Description: The Mariners’ Museum is seeking volunteers to help assist with the Museum’s monthly lectures.

Duties can include:

• Assisting with check-in registration of museum members
• Politely directing or escorting visitors to their seats
• Must be aware of, and follow the proper procedures for assisting visitors with disabilities
• Assisting with setup and/or break down of lecture space

Work Status: 2-3 hours per month

Expected Project Duration: Indefinite

Appropriate Educational Requirement: None

Required Skills: Good oral communications, personable

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Education Volunteer

Work Location: Education Department

Job Description: The Mariners’ Museum is seeking volunteers to assist the Education department in providing an engaging and innovating experience for students, families and the general public.

Duties can including but are not limited to:

• Research
• Lead school age educational programs at the museum
• Prepare program related materials
• Work with the Manager of Visitor Engagement to present general museum and gallery specific tours
• Assist with other general museum programming such as workshops and gallery openings
• Staff education stations such as the LEGO® table
• Assist with activities for special events such as Battle of Hampton Roads weekend

Expected Project Duration: Indefinite

Hours: Flexible

Appropriate Educational Requirement: High school or college studies

Required Skills: Attention to detail; comfortable talking to and interacting with people; eagerness to learn;

Direct Supervisor: Manager, Student Programs and/or Manager of Visitor Engagement

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Noland Trail Volunteer

Work Location: The Noland trail at The Mariners’ Park

Job Description: Individual volunteer work on the Noland Trail is critical for the safety and condition of the trail for all to enjoy. All tasks are performed outside in all weather conditions under supervision of the Noland Trail Technician. Generally, these volunteers come from CNU with little to no experience, but all are welcome.

Volunteering Details:

• Volunteer opportunities will only be offered to individuals that have completed a background check and an application through the Mariner’s Museum Volunteer Service Coordinator.
• Hours of operation for volunteer services will fall between 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM and/or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday – Friday. Volunteers must enter the Business entrance and sign in with Security.
  NOTE: No volunteer services during lunch break, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
• Must be able to work a minimum of a two (2) hour shift.
• Communication is key to the success of the program. If unable to fulfill the shift commitment, the volunteer MUST notify the grounds department via office phone (757) 591-7737 or email dkennedy@MarinersMuseum.org (Park Operations Manager) or lyost@MarinersMuseum.org (Noland Trail Technician) prior to the scheduled time to count as an approved absence.
• Volunteers are allowed only three (3) unapproved absences. If they exceed the allotted amount they will be terminated from the volunteer program.
• Time off for academics will always be allowed. We do however ask that the Grounds Department be notified as soon as possible.
• Inclement weather will dictate if the volunteer is needed for that day of service. If you are at work and inclement weather prevents you from finishing your scheduled time, they will be sent home and receive credit for the original scheduled hours. If you are not needed due to inclement weather and do not show up for the scheduled hours, you will not be credited for those hours.
• All safety equipment, task specific tools and task operating instructions will be issued to the volunteer on the day of service. Upon completion of task, all issued items will be cleaned and returned. Vehicle use will be limited and proof of valid driver’s license is mandatory.
• Volunteers will need to dress for the weather on the day of service. All clothing must be acceptable within the public eye, NO PROFANITY or obscene/graphic pictures will be tolerated. Work/hiking boot and sneakers are the only acceptable footwear. NO open toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops, etc will be worn while working.
• Cell phone use needs to be kept at a minimum while at work. Cannot use a music device with an external speaker for all to hear.
• All assigned tasks will be fully explained and reviewed before assignment. Safety is paramount, and QUALITY of work is preferred over QUANTITY of work.
• Please refrain from any disrespectful language or topics of discussions while volunteering. You represent the Mariner’s Museum Grounds Department and yourself to our guests.
• We are most grateful for any generous donation of eager volunteer assistance to allow us to complete our required Museum Park and Noland Trail maintenance services.

Expected Project Duration: Indefinite

Hours: Monday – Friday, between 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM and/or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Appropriate Educational Requirement: No experience necessary

Required Skills: Able to work a minimum of a two (2) hour shift

Direct Supervisor: Park Operations Manager or Noland Trail Technician

To apply, use the online application form below.

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Noland Trail Bridges Volunteer

Work Location: The Noland trail at The Mariners’ Park

Job Description: Ideally, we are looking for two or three retired person(s), to volunteer time and provide the labor to assist with refurbishing the 14 larger numbered wooden bridges along the Noland Trail. They will be supervised by a volunteer Lead Carpenter person.

Duties would include:

• Providing volunteer labor as scheduled, at least twice per month, by a volunteer Lead Carpenter; for carpentry-type work on larger numbered bridges.
• All volunteer labor hours will be scheduled and weather-specific.
• Volunteer day labor activities would include loading tools, equipment, materials, and supplies as designated by Lead person.
• Bridge refurbishing would require old and damaged boards to be unscrewed or pried up if nailed. Decisions would be made whether to flip the board or replace with new lumber.
• Trail Guest safety and safe passage must be a continual priority whenever volunteer service works on Trail bridge refurbishing.
• Only lumber to be used that day of volunteer service would be transported to the site and all debris would be removed the same day.
• All vehicles, tools, equipment, and supplies will be secured at the end of each day of service.
• If volunteer worker would be assigned to drive; a valid driver’s license would be required and status change would need to be reported.
• All accidents or injuries would need to be immediately reported to the Noland Trail Technician and the Security Office.
• All changed in status of voluntary service will be communicated to the Volunteer Lead Carpenter as soon as possible.

Expected Project Duration: Indefinite

Hours: Monday – Friday, between 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Appropriate Educational Requirement: No experience necessary

Required Skills: Able to work a minimum of a two (2) hour shift

Direct Supervisor: Volunteer Lead Carpenter

To apply, use the online application form below.

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Digital Services Department Volunteers

The digital services department is looking for volunteers and interns that can assist in one or more of the following areas. Qualified candidates will be detail-oriented, organized, and accustomed to working independently in an environment that handles focused and repetitive tasks which requires a logical balance of efficiency and accuracy.

Marketing Photography and In Studio Photography

Assist museum photographer in composing scenes during photography shoots of models indoors or outdoors. Great interpersonal skills when communicating with others. Assist with product photography set up in studio. Should have basic understanding of manual camera settings: ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Able to photograph quality compositions. The hours vary depending on the needs. Maintain professional appearance and demeanor.

Event Photography

Qualified candidate should able to take pictures in both a simple and abstract fashion and can move around individuals to create different picture scenes. Capture scene of event outdoors and indoors. Take specific event pictures based on a shot list. Have the ability to create different picture ideas on the spot. The hours vary depending on the needs of the event. Being a committed and energizing individual is essential for this position. Maintain professional appearance and demeanor.

• Applicants must supply their own professional digital camera equipment
• Knowledge of Adobe products and Lightroom for image post processing
• Upload images to the museum’s asset management system and apply keywords and appropriate metadata
• Must be flexible with schedule. This volunteer position supports events, marketing, and project photography as well as processing images.
• Appropriate Educational Requirement: Current/Recent college graduate or young professional looking to build his/her portfolio.
• Required Skills: 1 year experience in personal or work related photography or college students who have completed 2 photography specific courses or are currently enrolled in their 2nd photography course are also eligible.

Digitization

Qualified candidate will assist museum staff in digitizing negatives. This position requires a high level of detail on focused and repetitive tasks. This position will work closely under the a lead photographer to accomplish their daily work.

• Have the ability to learn the basics of high end digitizing equipment
• Be able to transcribe metadata written on native sleeves
• Have an aptitude for looking up, matching and reconciling data

Research & Cataloging

Qualified candidate will assist museum staff in cataloging digitized collection and institutional item. They will assist with consolidating digital assets, identify them based on data in our Collections Management System, and load them into the museums asset management system. This position requires a high level of detail on focused and repetitive tasks.

• Have an aptitude for looking up, matching and reconciling data
• Have the ability learn the basics of Collection Management Systems and Asset Management Systems
• Have strong research skills and the ability to produce consistent work

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.

Interpretation and Community Outreach Volunteer

Work Location: Interpretation Department

Job Description:
Interpretation Department is responsible for connecting visitors to the museum’s collection through storytelling, programs and exhibitions. The Mariners’ Museum is seeking volunteers to assist the Interpretation department in providing an engaging and innovating experience for teachers, students, scouts families and the general public.

Duties can including but are not limited to: Research Program development Creating educational resources for teacher professional development Working with groups of various ages and abilities Work with the Manager, Visitor Engagement and Manager, Interpretation and Community Outreach to present museum and gallery specific tours and programs Assist with other general museum programming such as Handling History, workshops and gallery openings Staff education stations such as the LEGOS and Spice tables Assist with activities for special events such as Gallery Crawl and Celebrate the Park.

Expected Project Duration: Indefinite

Start Date: Flexible

Hours: Flexible

Appropriate Educational Requirement: High School or College such as Museum studies, Education, History and/or other related fields

Required Skills: Attention to detail; can work independently, comfortable talking to and interacting with people; eagerness to learn

Direct Supervisor: Manager, Interpretation and Community Outreach

To apply:

Contact Beth Heaton, bheaton@MarinersMuseum.org.