The Hudson River Maritime Museum seeks Volunteer Museum Educator, Admissions Clerk, & Education Intern. See below for detailed descriptions of each position.
To Apply for the Volunteer Positions
Please go to www.hrmm.org/volunteer to download an application form or apply online, or pick one up from the museum. Office hours: 9:00 – 5:00 Monday through Friday, and 11:00 – 5:00 on the weekends.
E-mail your completed form (a Microsoft Word Document) to: volunteer@hrmm.org
OR
Apply online at www.hrmm.org/volunteer
OR
Mail or return in person to:
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing
Kingston, NY 12401
About HRMM
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the interpretation and preservation of the maritime heritage of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. For more information, visit www.hrmm.org.
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Volunteer Museum Educator Job Description
Time Frame: April through December
Paid Position: No
Hours: flexible, 4-16 hours per week, Monday through Friday
The Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) in Kingston, NY is seeking active, outgoing, and friendly volunteers with a passion for history and informal teaching to serve as volunteer Museum Educators for tours, workshops, and activities for school field trips and family programs. Volunteers are especially needed for the peak field trip season, which lasts from mid-April to July.
As a Museum Educator, you are the main line of communication between the public (especially school children) and the history that HRMM conveys. You don’t just give tours; you engage, ask questions, and teach students and the general public about the history of the Hudson River.
Museum Educators are vital to HRMM’s mission of education and preservation. You will provide guided tours of the museum and the new Kingston Home Port and Education Center exhibits, as well as facilitate and lead activities and workshops for students. As volunteers, you give freely of your time to assist area students in learning more about the history of the Hudson River and have fun visiting the museum.
Requirements
The ideal volunteer Museum Educator will have had past experience working with children, an interest in regional and local history, be comfortable speaking in front of the public, and have a flexible, open schedule.
A teaching degree and/or prior teaching experience is a plus, but not required. You should be able to work alone or together with other tour leaders should the need arise.
You should have an academic interest or background in historical study and be able to convey information in an approachable and easily understood manner.
Adult and school tours are scheduled Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm. Tours generally last between 2-4 hours, depending on the group (school groups have longer tours).
Please have at least one day per week available for tours. Tours are reservation-only and therefore there may not be a regular weekly schedule of tours, depending upon the days you are available.
Working with children ranging in age from first grade to high school is a part of this volunteer position, so please do not apply if you are only interested in working with adults.
Responsibilities
You are responsible for learning the historical content and following any instructions related to tour structure and/or theme.
Although scheduling is flexible, you are expected to show up for scheduled school and group tours at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time of the group. Advance written notice is required for cancellations.
You are also responsible for the safety of children on tours and the safety of museum artifacts. Museum Educators report directly to the Education Director.
You are not responsible for handling money or addressing concerns from the public not related to tours.
Training
Full training is provided by the Education Director, including training on historical topics as well as tips for giving tours, engaging the public, and historical interpretation for groups of all ages. Tours are based on academic historical research, including primary sources, and training will reflect that.
You must attend at least two training sessions (introduction and in-depth) at the museum to qualify for tours. Practicing tours is also an option for those who feel they need it.
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Volunteer Admissions Clerk Job Description
Time Frame: Year-round, starting in May
Paid Position: No
Hours: flexible, minimum 3.25 hour weekly shift, weekend and some evening hours available but not required
The Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) is seeking friendly, outgoing, personable people with good customer service skills to serve as volunteer Admissions Clerks in the museum gift shop.
As an Admissions Clerk, you are an essential facilitator between visitors and the museum, ensuring that visitors and the general public have an enjoyable, engaging, and memorable experience while at the museum. You will sell admissions tickets and gift shop merchandise, track visitation, and answer visitor questions. As a volunteer, you give freely of your time to support the museum and facilitate enjoyable visitor experiences.
Requirements
The ideal volunteer Admissions Clerk will have past retail experience including running a cash register and dealing with the general public in an appropriate manner. The ability to work with others is important as busy shifts may have two clerks scheduled at once. Previous retail experience is a plus, but is not required as training is provided.
The museum is open 11 am to 5 pm every day, May through the end of October, with additional hours likely during the winter months (2016 will be the first year HRMM is open year-round).
The day can be broken into two shifts: 10:45 am to 2 pm, and 2 pm to 5:15 pm (3.25 hours each), or you may also work the full 6.5 hour day.
Volunteers who can commit to at least one weekly shift for the whole season are preferred. At least one clerk will be in the gift shop at all times. At least one museum staff member will be in the building to supervise and assist at all times.
Responsibilities
Morning clerks are responsible for opening the museum (turning on lights, counting out the register drawer). Afternoon clerks are responsible for closing the museum (turning off lights, closing out the register drawer).
Admissions clerks are not responsible for balancing the cash register or for dealing with difficult customers. Clerks report directly to the Business Manager and/or the Volunteer Coordinator, who will assist you whenever necessary.
Although scheduling is flexible, you are expected to show up for scheduled shifts on time and ready to work. Advance written notice is requested for scheduled time off or cancellations of scheduled shifts.
Training
Full training is provided by the Business Manager on a rolling basis, including opening and closing procedures, use of the cash register, tracking visitation, and customer service training.
You must attend at least two training sessions (intro and hands-on) at the museum. New volunteers may be paired with seasoned volunteers at first. The Business Manager and/or Volunteer Coordinator will be present each day should problems arise.
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Job Description — Museum Education Intern
Part-time, 8-20 hours per week
Interns are encouraged to seek college credit for this real-world experience. Internship is unpaid.
Reports to: Education Director, Education Coordinator
Works closely with: Curator, Volunteers
About Us: The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to interpreting and preserving the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. The museum was founded in 1980 and is located in the Historic Rondout Waterfront District in Kingston, NY. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.
You Will:
1. Assist with school tours and group tours of the museum, including leading tours and/or hands-on activities for school field trips
2. Assist with in-school programs, including primary source analysis
3. Assist Education Director in developing new programming, including on-site, online, and in-school programs
4. Research historical topics relevant to new and existing programs
5. Assist with volunteer tour guide training and tour research and development
6. Assist with public programs and events, including manning information booth(s), set-up and tear-down, and leading children’s activities
Opportunities:
1. Work closely with professional museum staff
2. Work directly with elementary school students and teachers on school tours
3. Help develop innovative education programs
4. Develop pre- and post-visit materials and lesson plans
5. Develop online resources for teachers, students, and the general public
Leave With:
1. Experience teaching children and adults of all ages
2. Experience with historical research
3. New contacts in the education and museum fields
4. A portfolio of completed projects
Requirements:
Ideal candidates will have an interest in museums and/or education as a career. Candidates proficient in research, writing, and public speaking preferred. Prior experience with elementary aged students a plus, but not required. Internships are supervised but ideal candidates will be independent and self-starting.
Internships must last at least one academic semester, working at least one day per week. Extending internships beyond one semester and working on multiple projects is encouraged. Hours are flexible, but ideal candidates will be available between 9 am and 3 pm at least two weekdays per week.
The position is unpaid.
To Apply for the internship:
Send your cover letter and resume to education@hrmm.org or mail to:
Sarah Wassberg
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing
Kingston, NY 12401
