WELCOME TO THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Volunteers play a crucial role in the daily operations of Columbia River Maritime Museum,
whether it's providing two hours 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 behind-the-scenes tours of museum collections and exhibits as well as field trips to USCG Florence Finch and Eagle, Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery, Fort Clatsop, Northwest Carriage Museum, and Port of Longview.
Volunteers play a crucial role in the daily operations of Columbia River Maritime Museum,
whether it's providing two hours 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 behind-the-scenes tours of museum collections and exhibits as well as field trips to USCG Florence Finch and Eagle, Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery, Fort Clatsop, Northwest Carriage Museum, and Port of Longview.
VOLUNTEER BENEFITS
Volunteers donating at least two (2) hours per month OR twenty-four (24) hours per year have Active Volunteer status and qualify for an Individual Volunteer Membership. This membership covers the individual volunteer; volunteers who would like a higher level of membership can use the value of the Individual Volunteer Membership ($50) as a credit toward a higher level and pay the difference.
Active status volunteers receive:
* an additional 10% discount in the Museum Store (for a total of 20% with current membership)
* Recognition in the museum's QuarterDeck magazine
* Special invitations to monthly enrichment events, including behind-the-scenes tours, guest speakers, and offside field trips
* Annual Volunteer Appreciate Night, typically during the summer, to acknowledge volunteers' accomplishments as a larger group
Volunteers who contribute at least 24 hours per year are given “active status” and will receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store.
Volunteers who do not donate at least 24 hours of their time in a year will not have active status
and will not receive the 10% discount in the Museum Store unless they are already CRMM members.
Active volunteers (10% discount) who have a current CRMM membership (10% discount) will be receiving a 20% discount in the Museum Store.
Once a volunteer has reached this threshold, any existing CRMM membership they have will be extended until December 31 of that year. We will be asking active volunteers in December if they would like to use their $50 membership credit toward an Individual (Ensign) Volunteer Membership or apply it to a higher membership level.
This benefit must be activated by the volunteer.
If you are a volunteer with active status, CRMM staff will reach out asking what your preference is.
Volunteers donating at least two (2) hours per month OR twenty-four (24) hours per year have Active Volunteer status and qualify for an Individual Volunteer Membership. This membership covers the individual volunteer; volunteers who would like a higher level of membership can use the value of the Individual Volunteer Membership ($50) as a credit toward a higher level and pay the difference.
Active status volunteers receive:
* an additional 10% discount in the Museum Store (for a total of 20% with current membership)
* Recognition in the museum's QuarterDeck magazine
* Special invitations to monthly enrichment events, including behind-the-scenes tours, guest speakers, and offside field trips
* Annual Volunteer Appreciate Night, typically during the summer, to acknowledge volunteers' accomplishments as a larger group
Volunteers who contribute at least 24 hours per year are given “active status” and will receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store.
Volunteers who do not donate at least 24 hours of their time in a year will not have active status
and will not receive the 10% discount in the Museum Store unless they are already CRMM members.
Active volunteers (10% discount) who have a current CRMM membership (10% discount) will be receiving a 20% discount in the Museum Store.
Once a volunteer has reached this threshold, any existing CRMM membership they have will be extended until December 31 of that year. We will be asking active volunteers in December if they would like to use their $50 membership credit toward an Individual (Ensign) Volunteer Membership or apply it to a higher membership level.
This benefit must be activated by the volunteer.
If you are a volunteer with active status, CRMM staff will reach out asking what your preference is.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Curatorial Archives or Collections:
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.
Please note that space in the Curatorial Department is currently limited
Gallery Docent:
Gallery docents share their knowledge about a specific gallery or exhibit in the museum.
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.
Cruise Ship Greeter:
Visitors from seasonal cruise ships are essential supporters of CRMM. Cruise ship greeters ensure these visits go smoothly by assisting with welcoming, wayfinding, and orienting our guests to the museum. Note that these roles operate on a seasonal basis.
Boat Pond:
Volunteers are responsible for greeting visitors and lending self-sailing and radio-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 are asked to assist with the responsible use and upkeep of the sailboat fleet. Note that these roles operate on a seasonal basis.
Guest & Retail Services:
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 will be trained by CRMM staff on what to do in case of emergency on board the Lightship.
Lightship Columbia Engine Room Docent:
Engine room docents assist with interpreting the history of Lightship Columbia by offering tours of the engine room spaces, typically from
1:00-2:00 PM as availability allows. Docents should be comfortable navigating a tight space with no windows.
Training is available seasonally to support docents in presenting technical information in an engaging and informative way.
CRMM Office:
Office volunteers typically assist with museum mailings and data entry. The office volunteers may assist with 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.
Lobby Docent:
Lobby docents educate CRMM's visitors about the Columbia River and the various exhibits at the lobby map. Docents must be comfortable with engaging with visitors and answering frequent questions. Personal research is required as all docents will be expected to have working knowledge of the Museum exhibits and maritime history in Astoria
Currently more than 60 volunteers are involved in ensuring the Museum runs smoothly and each visitor has a positive experience.
Volunteers in 2025 donated more than 5,300 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; note that CRMM does not conduct credit checks
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; note that CRMM does not conduct credit checks
Questions about Volunteering at the Museum?
Ask for the Volunteer Coordinator at (503) 325-2323 or email [email protected]
