WELCOME TO THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Volunteers play a crucial role in the daily operations of the Columbia River Maritime Museum,
whether it's providing one hour a month or twenty.
We have both front-facing and behind-the-scenes opportunities for volunteers to get involved
with the museum however they are interested.
Volunteers at CRMM can attend behind-the-scenes tours, participate in off-site field trips, and chat with special speakers at the museum.
Past events have included a behind-the-scenes tour of museum collections as well as field trips to
Fort Clatsop at Lewis and Clark National Park, the Knappton Cove Heritage Center, Seaside Aquarium, Tongue Point Job Corps,
and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the daily operations of the Columbia River Maritime Museum,
whether it's providing one hour a month or twenty.
We have both front-facing and behind-the-scenes opportunities for volunteers to get involved
with the museum however they are interested.
Volunteers at CRMM can attend behind-the-scenes tours, participate in off-site field trips, and chat with special speakers at the museum.
Past events have included a behind-the-scenes tour of museum collections as well as field trips to
Fort Clatsop at Lewis and Clark National Park, the Knappton Cove Heritage Center, Seaside Aquarium, Tongue Point Job Corps,
and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Curatorial Archives Volunteer:
Curatorial volunteers conduct ongoing projects such as data entry, object numbering, object rehousing, document filing, collections inventory, etc. The curatorial department will assign appropriate projects based on personal interests and skill sets, and then train to carry out each project according to Museum standards. Volunteers must be comfortable working independently with a high level of detail and accuracy.
CRMM Docent:
Volunteers serve as docents throughout the Museum leading guided tours through the galleries or delivering abbreviated history to guests.
Docents must be comfortable with public speaking and frequent questions, delivering engaging talks to groups of all ages and backgrounds. Personal research is required as all docents will be expected to have working knowledge of the Museum exhibits and maritime history in Astoria. Docents must also complete a 4 week CRMM Docent Training with the Education Department.
Boat Pond Volunteer:
Volunteers are responsible for greeting visitors and lending self-sailing and remote-control boats for use on the pond. Volunteers should be comfortable communicating with guests and providing a history of the Astoria Train Depot when asked. Volunteers may be asked to help with the remote-control sailboat fleet maintenance.
Museum Store Volunteer:
Volunteers assist in the operation of the Museum Store. Volunteers will assist with suggestions to sell merchandise to guests, keep merchandise stocked in/on the display shelves in the Museum store, maintain the cleanliness and overall organization of the store, and operate the cash register. Volunteers serve as greeters for special events such as cruise ships and receptions and also provide assistance to Visitor Services as requested.
Lightship Columbia Docent:
The lightship docents serve on board to greet visitors and interpret the history of the lightship. Docents ensure that visitors have museum boarding passes, exercise proper safety measures, and treat the lightship as an artifact. Docents must be friendly, engaging, and comfortable working independently with frequent questions. Docents must be capable of handling emergencies in a responsible manner.
Museum Office Volunteer:
The office volunteers may assist with answering phones, organizing files, conducting research and collaborating on larger museum events. Volunteers must have working knowledge of the general Museum operations and department roles. Volunteers should be detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in a quiet office setting with confidential information.
Currently approximately 50 volunteers are involved in ensuring the Museum runs smoothly and each visitor has a positive experience.
In 2022, CRMM volunteers donated 3,329 hours to the museum and its mission!
Interested in Volunteering at the Museum?
In order to become at Volunteer at CRMM, we require the following for any position:
* Must be 18 years of age or older
* Must be able to pass a criminal background check
In order to become at Volunteer at CRMM, we require the following for any position:
* Must be 18 years of age or older
* Must be able to pass a criminal background check
Questions about Volunteering at the Museum?
Ask for the Volunteer Coordinator at (503) 325-2323 or email [email protected]