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Naval History and Heritage Command

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum

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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum! Brighten your day and share the history of the Seabees!

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum’s Volunteer Program is made up of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who provide excellent customer service, care about history, and want to provide the public with a great visitor experience. We are seeking committed people with a passion for history; who enjoy interacting with the public; and providing the most up-to-date information available about the Museum’s collections and programs. Museum volunteers help visitors get the most out of their experience by welcoming and assisting visitors throughout public areas; answering questions, and directing visitors to programs, events, and exhibitions.

Volunteering is a unique form of philanthropy: a gift of time and expertise to the museum. Volunteering provides a means to bond over shared interests, and participate in group tours, lectures, receptions and exhibits. There are a number of ways to give of your time to help the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum. 

What type of opportunities are available?  

Guest Services

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for volunteers to assist greet visitors to the museum and provide a basic orientation. Guest Services volunteers serve as the first contact that the public has with the museum. They provide guidance and interpretation of the layout and basic content within the museum. Training will be provided on museum content, and resources are available to assist in answering questions. Volunteers will also be responsible for answering the main phone line and directing/forwarding calls as appropriate.

Museum Interpretive Guide (Tour Guide)

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for volunteers to provide tours to groups of 10 or more. Guides will become deeply familiar with the museum content and be able to provide accurate and informative tours as well as answer visitor questions along the tour. Training will be provided both face-to-face and with documentary supplements to study. Updates will be given on a regular basis as items transition onto and off of the floor.

Education Assistant

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for volunteers to assist the Education Department in delivering public education programs. The volunteer will work closely with the Education Specialist with hands-on assistance for educational programs for children and adults. The Education Assistant will be a part of the Education team, serving to assist with delivery of programs to K-12 audiences, as well as adult learners. Education Assistants will engage in public education programming and learn how to create programming for different targeted audiences. Individuals should be interested in public history, museum studies, or education. Scheduling will vary based on response to requests for K-12 education programs and assistance with regularly scheduled family programs as well as quarterly and one-off adult education programs is always appreciated.

Education Assistant – Intern Position

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for an intern to assist the Education Department in developing public education programs. This intern will be working closely with the Education Specialist on creating new dynamic programs for children and adults. The intern will be mentored by the Education Specialist in the trade of public education programming and interns will learn how to create programming for different targeted audiences. The intern will be able to conduct several public programs during their internship. The individual should be interested in public history, museology, or education. Scheduling can be flexible and the museum is willing to work with the individual or individual’s current school schedule and/or work schedule. If you are interested in this type of position and enjoy creating programs for a broad audience, then this internship is for you.

Curator Technician – Intern Position

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for an intern to assist with exhibit prop identification, cataloging, and storage. The intern will perform the following duties: weed through exhibit props, identity object and era, label the object, catalog prop information into an Excel spreadsheet, house the prop, and shelve it in storage. This process is very similar to how the museum catalogs artifacts. The individual will work under the guidance of the Exhibit Curator. Once they understand the project, they will mainly work independently. Individual must be able to lift 25 lbs. and climb a ladder. Knowledge of Excel is a plus. The schedule can be flexible and the museum is willing to work with the individual or individual’s current school schedule and/or work schedule. If you are interested in this type of position and enjoy being in a museum environment, then this internship is for you.

Museum Collections Intern

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for an intern to assist the curator staff in the inventory of museum objects. The intern will work closely with other museum staff and volunteers and learn the process for inventory control of the museum collection. The intern will learn proper procedures for handling artifacts, as well as the process for associated records. The museum is looking for an individual who is detailed oriented and open to learning about the process of museums behind the scenes. The intern should be prepared to get hands-on experience and should be ready to move objects weighing 50 lbs. The intern will work closely with the curator staff throughout this process. The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is flexible and willing to work with the intern’s schedule. If you are interested in collection management, history, and preserving artifacts for future generations to enjoy then this volunteer opportunity is for you.

Archival Assistant – Intern Position

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is looking for an intern to process personal collections. The intern will go through unprocessed boxes and folders, process them into archival safe material, write finding aids, digitize selected pieces, and write copy for use in a digital exhibit. In addition the intern will help write and put together presentations for the collection for digital and physical use. The archive is looking for an individual who is detail oriented and can update and catch errors in sensitive collections. The individual must keep track where they are in the process and be able to communicate to supervisor the status of their progression. The intern will work with the Archivist for guidance and possibly collaboratively as the project progresses.  The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum is flexible and willing to work with the intern’s schedule. If you are interested in archiving, history, and providing a valuable resource to professionals and patrons of the archive and museum then this volunteer opportunity is for you.

 

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We want to provide the visitors with the best experience possible and you can help us out by volunteering! Strong communication skills are required and volunteers need to be available to work a 3-hour shift weekly, be a team player, as well as to be able to work independently.  If you enjoy engaging people and using your skills to facilitate positive experiences, then we want you to join our team!

What are the requirements to participate? 

  • Must be at least 16 years of age. Written parental consent is required for all unmarried volunteers under 18 years of age.
  • Must pass a criminal history background check.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our Education Specialist at (805) 982-6189 or email NHHC_USNSMVisit@navy.mil to request an application packet. You will need to complete and submit:

*The Seabee Museum is located outside the Sunkist gate at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, and does not require access to the base.

Published: Sat Oct 22 13:48:48 EDT 2022