Volunteer Opportunites

Greeter Volunteers

Greeters are the face of San Diego History Center. They interact with visitors by acting as ambassadors of the museum.

Duties

  • Welcome guests in a friendly and professional manner
  • Engage visitors in conversations about the exhibits where appropriate
  • Answer guests’ questions
  • Enhance visitors’ experience at the museum

Requirements

  • Friendly, approachable disposition
  • Periods of standing required, with options for seating to rest in between
  • No prior knowledge is required as full training will be provide

Museum Docents
San Diego History Center is currently accepting applications for a new class of docents at SDHC’s two museums: San Diego History Center in Balboa Park and the Serra Museum in Presidio Park. Docents form an essential part of the History Center’s Education Department. They share the history of the region with visitors of all ages, including guests from around the world. They facilitate interactive tours for school groups in order to spark students’ imaginations and stimulate their curiosity. By making history come alive, SDHC docents play a vital role in offering visitors a memorable and unique experience at our museums. Full 

Public Program Volunteers
Our Public Programs Department provides opportunities to help our members and the general public learn more about our exhibitions and collections through engaging lectures, panel discussions, films, bus trips, dinners, musical performances, and more. Volunteers in this department gain hands-on experience coordinating various aspects of the programs, including researching program ideas, scouting out talent, completing contracts, acquiring licenses and equipment rentals, program set up, running the program, and program tear down, with the assistance and supervision of the Public Programs Manager. Opportunities also abound to be a member of our Speakers Bureau giving presentations on a variety of topics to civic groups, senior centers, and adult continuing education centers across the County. Full training is provided.

Administrative Volunteers

Clerical Assistants

Project Volunteers help with special projects on an as-needed basis. Duties may include stuffing envelopes, organizing files, assisting the staff with preparatory work for meetings, and other tasks. Projects are periodic; therefore there is no minimum time commitment for volunteers.

Photo Volunteers

Digital Image Assistant/Cataloguer
The Digital Image Assistant/Cataloguer works closely with the staff of the Photograph Collection to digitize prints, negatives and slides for our digital database. We ask that volunteers commit to at least 3-4 hours per week between the hours of 9:30am – 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The images that have been scanned are then catalogued in our computer database, PastPerfect. Photoshop, and some cataloging experience, is preferred, but we will train especially motivated volunteers. Legible, neat handwriting is essential, as is attention to detail and good typing skills.

Research Library Volunteers

Research Library General Volunteers
Research Library volunteers work closely with Research Library staff to process our vast archival collections. Duties include sorting and processing of collections, data entry, and other tasks as needed. Training is provided. College credit is available for interns who work at least 8 hours per week. Volunteering takes place between 9 am- 4 pm on Tuesday-Saturday. Please note: There are no volunteer opportunities in the research library at this time.

To apply, please send your cover letter, resume and completed volunteer application to:

Volunteer Program Coordinator
San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-6203 ext. 108

or email to volunteers@sandiegohistory.org

Download volunteer application form