Volunteer/Internship Opportunities at
The Northwest African American Museum

The Northwest African American Museum will open its doors in March 2008 with exhibits and programming exploring the art, history and culture of African Americans in the Pacific Northwest. The long-term success of the Museum requires the support of its surrounding community. One way to provide this support is to serve as a Museum Volunteer. We invite you to review the Job Descriptions below and submit a Volunteer Application. We hope you will join us as we embark on this extraordinary journey.

Application Process

Please download the application and email to llehman@naamnw.org

You may also fax it to: 206-518-5665

Or mail to : Northwest African American Museum ATTN:

Lani Lehman 2300 S Massachusetts St Seattle, WA 98144

Applications may be sent in any time. If you would like a Volunteer Application sent to you or need additional information, please call 206-518-6000 EXT 108.

Volunteer Application (Microsoft Word Document)

Volunteer Application (Adobe Reader PDF)
 

Job Descriptions

Visitor Services Volunteers
As the first point of contact with the public, Visitor Services Volunteers are the face of the Museum and must work to create a welcoming and accessible environment. They will greet visitors, answer questions, collect admission fees, sell memberships, answer the phone and orient visitors to the Museum's layout and resources. These volunteers may be called upon to escort school groups to/from NAAM’s classrooms, galleries or waiting areas. A series of short training sessions are required, covering such topics as customer service, facilities layout, operating procedures and the basics of museum education.
Required Skills Initiative-taking and proactive, strong customer service skills, comfortable using communication technology (i.e. telephone, computer, and walkie talkie).
 

Clerical Support Volunteers
Clerical Support Volunteers will assist with the Museum’s day-to-day operations. Tasks will include copying, collating, filing, helping with large scale mailings, providing telephone or other clerical support.
Required Skills Detail oriented, self-driven and comfortable using communication technology (i.e. telephone, computer, and walkie talkie). This volunteer position may work with confidential records and requires discretion.
 

Collections Volunteers
Working under the supervision of the Education Director, Collections Volunteers will help with the movement, handling and documentation of objects in the Museum’s care. Tasks may include cataloging objects in the collection, producing condition reports, photographing objects for NAAM’s computer-based catalog system, monitoring objects on display, basic research and data entry.
Required Skills Detail oriented, self-driven and comfortable using communication technology (i.e. telephone, computer, and walkie talkie).
 

Docents
Docents will assist with the implementation of the Museum’s educational programming as formulated by the Education Director. Docents will conduct regularly scheduled tours for Museum visitors and assist the Education Director with activities in the NAAM Classroom and Multimedia Learning Room. All docents will be required to attend a series of training session before they begin work at the Museum. Training will consist of in-depth discussions of the Museum’s collections, touring techniques, communication methods, age-appropriate concepts for touring, and questioning strategies. Docents who have completed this training will lead tours through the Museum’s galleries for school age as well as adult groups. Certain Docents will also be asked to serve as aides for the Museum’s other educational offerings, under the supervision of the Education Director. Specifically, these docents will act as program aides, help with hands-on projects, supervise students, and exercise their skills as teachers and program leaders. As representatives of the Northwest African American Museum, Docents are expected to project a positive image of the Museum and its collections.
Required Skills The ability to communicate effectively with others; a warm and friendly attitude; the ability to commit to the time and effort required; and a sincere interest in furthering the vision of the Education Department and the mission of the Museum.
 

Interns
NAAM has a limited number of internships available for high school and college students. Selection for these positions is highly competitive and interns will be expected to have sincere interest in furthering the mission of the Museum. Interns may be called upon to work in a number of Museum areas including exhibit development, exhibit fabrication, research, collections management and education. All persons interested in an internship at NAAM should fill out a Volunteer Application and return with a current resume and two references.
Required Skills Initiative-taking and proactive, attention to detail, ability to multitask, comfortable using communication technology (i.e. telephone, computer, and walkie talkie).
 

Volunteer Benefits

• Unlimited free admission to the Museum
• Behind-the-scenes access to the Museum
• Continuing Education Opportunities specifically for volunteers
• Recognition at Annual Awards Ceremony
• Meet others with an interest and love of African American art, history and culture