HRNM Volunteer Opportunities

Title: Museum Greeter

Commitment: Two shifts (+) per month requested

Supervisor: Volunteer Coordinator

Objective: 

Museum Greeters welcome and orient visitors to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM). Greeters increase accessibility of the site’s exhibits and programs through sharing information, making connections, and answering questions. The greeter also performs administrative and security functions by keeping attendance and monitoring the galleries. The greeter’s efforts promote awareness, appreciation, and preservation of U.S. Naval History.

Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of exhibits, programs, events, staff, facilities, and daily schedules at HRNM as well as Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin to share with visitors as appropriate.
• Develop a brief welcome to introduce visitors to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum that is adaptable to diverse audiences.

• Gauge and adapt to visitors’ interests and needs (e.g. by adjusting conversation length, content, or style) to ensure a positive experience.

• Ensure the safety and security of guests and exhibits by modeling and informing visitors of expectations, monitoring the gallery cameras, and reporting concerns to museum staff.
• Keep an accurate attendance count; record attendance, temperature, and humidity hourly in the log book. 
• Answer the front desk phone line; respond to questions and transfer calls as appropriate.
• Monitor and restock publications, brochures, and postcards at the museum entrance.
• Participate in occasional workshops, lectures, and field trips offered by the museum.
• Act as a mentor for new greeters as requested by the volunteer coordinator.
• Schedule shifts in advance and record hours after each assignment.

Requirements

Guides must be able to

• Speak clearly and comfortably with diverse individuals in large and small groups.
• Sit/stand for extended periods.
• Maintain a neat and professional appearance.
• Abide by all museum policies and procedures.

Training, Support, and Benefits

• Volunteer handbook; access to research library and digital resources
• One-on-one training and shadowing with staff and veteran greeters
• Ongoing training, feedback, and professional development opportunities
• Free admission to many area museums.

Scheduling

Greeters are scheduled for 3.5-hour shifts M-Sa and a 5-hour shift on Sundays by request for special tours and events. A minimum of two shifts per month is requested.

Title: Museum Docent

Commitment: Two shifts (+) per month requested
Supervisor: Volunteer Coordinator

Objective

Docents interpret the museum’s exhibits to the general public and organized tour groups. Docents increase accessibility of U.S. Naval History though giving tours, sharing information, making connections, and answering questions in a friendly and engaging manner. Docents advance HRNM’s mission by promoting public awareness, appreciation, and preservation of U.S. Naval History. 

Responsibilities

• Learn the content of the museum’s exhibits and gallery programs through training and ongoing professional development.
• Develop an educational and interactive guided tour suitable for diverse audiences based on the tour guide manual and observations of veteran docents.
• Gauge and adapt to visitors’ interests and needs (e.g. by adjusting tour length, content, or style) to ensure a positive educational experience.
• Ensure the safety and security of guests and exhibits by modeling and informing visitors of best practices and notifying staff of accidents or concerns.
• Maintain knowledge of publications, programs, events, staff, facilities, and daily schedules at HRNM as well as Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin to share with visitors as appropriate.  
• Serve as a museum ambassador in the community by maintaining awareness of HRNM’s programs and initiatives and promoting as appropriate.
• Participate in occasional workshops, lectures, and field trips offered by the museum as well as independent reading and study to improve knowledge and interpretation.
• Act as a mentor for new docents as requested by the volunteer coordinator.
• Schedule shifts in advance and record hours after each assignment.

Requirements

Guides must be able to

• Speak clearly and comfortably with diverse individuals in large and small groups.
• Move through the galleries and sit/stand for extended periods.

• Maintain a clean and professional appearance.
• Abide by all museum policies and procedures.

Training, Support, and Benefits

• Volunteer handbook and docent manual; access to research library and digital resources
• One-on-one training and shadowing with staff and veteran docents
• Ongoing training, feedback, and professional development opportunities
• Free admission to many area museums

Scheduling

Docents are scheduled for 3.5-hour shifts M-Sa and a 5-hour shift on Sundays by request for special tours and events. A minimum of two shifts per month is requested.

Position Title: Museum Studies Intern

Company/Organization: Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM)

Anticipated Start Date: Spring/Summer/Fall (12 week cycles)

Application Deadlines: Spring: Feb 1^st, Summer: May 1^st, Fall: Sept 1^st     

Hours per week: 10-20

Supervisor: Volunteer Coordinator

Wage:  Unpaid Internship

Benefit to Intern: The Museum Studies Intern, under the direction of professional staff, will complete a measurable, hands-on project focused on a specific area of museum studies that aligns with their academic and career goals. The intern will also gain exposure to many facets of museum work including education, volunteers, events, operations, exhibits, collections, and/or strategic communications. Students may earn academic credit if the option is supported by their institution.

Work Conditions: Office/museum environment. Some projects may be conducted remotely/electronically. Evenings, weekend, and holiday work may be required.

Position Description

The Museum Studies Intern will:

• Learn the content of the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits (training provided).
• Work with museum staff to research, develop, implement, and evaluate new and ongoing projects.
• Work with museum staff to review past and current programs and identify areas for improvement and increased efficiency.
• Work with museum staff to identify new methods and technologies to enhance mission success.
• Maintain a log of activities and accomplishments and submit weekly updates to the volunteer coordinator and/or supervisor.
• Abide by all museum policies and procedures.
• Record hours of duty after each work period.

Qualifications:

Major: Museum Studies or related (History, Social Science, Education, Art/Design, Communications, etc.)

GPA: 3.0+

Level: Junior/Senior/Graduate

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A passion for museum work and desire to pursue a museum-related career as demonstrated by relevant coursework.
• Experience in traditional and digital research methods.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as evidenced through a writing sample (cover letter) and personal interview.

Application Procedure:

Complete online application (application requires upload of resume and unofficial transcripts) at http://bttr.im/0k234.  Submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the role to Ms. Darcy Sink, volunteer coordinator, Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Direct application inquiries to the same: 757-322-2992, darcy.sink@navy.mil.

Special event volunteers help at our signature Education events such as CPO Heritage in October and Lego Shipbuilding in February. 

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Darcy Sink for further details 757-322-2992.