WE NEED  VOLUNTEERS FOR OUR 3RD GRADE HISTORY FAIR!

Our annual 3rd Grade History Fair brings 3rd Grade students from across Sweetwater County for a fun and history filled day of hands-on activities. We need LOTS of hands to make this popular event a success. The 2022 History Fair will take place from May 10-13. No previous experience is required to be a volunteer, just availability and willingness to help teach 3rd graders. We will train any interested person. Volunteers typically work a morning or afternoon shift, the more days the better but we appreciate any amount of shifts.

If you are available and willing to help please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-872-6435

The museum is always looking for volunteers to help us improve our offerings. There are positions for all levels and types of interests. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. Listed below are job descriptions for various volunteer roles. If, however, you have other interests or roles you would like to offer,  please feel free to contact us.

If you would like to volunteer please contact our Public Engagement Coordinator at 307-872-6435, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or stop by. 

Volunteers submit an application and have a short discussion interview with our Public Engagement Coordinator. We encourage potential volunteers to also submit any resumes, portfolios, or other items they feel share their skills.

Volunteer roles described below (click the role or scroll to the appropriate description):

If there is a role you are interested in that you do not see listed please contact us and we will see if we have a role for you.

Foreign Language Translator Volunteer

Genealogy Aid

Fiber Arts Interpreter (demonstrator) Volunteer

Gardening and Grounds Volunteer

3rd Grade History Fair Volunteer

Education Docent (Tour Guide)

Cataloging Volunteer

Archival Indexing Volunteer (Data entry)

Oral History Interviewer

Oral History Transcriber

Community Outreach Volunteer (Classrooms)

Events Aide

Visitor Services Aide (Front End)

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Foreign Language Translator

Role of a Foreign Language Translator Volunteer:

The Sweetwater County Historical Museum houses a variety of documents in foreign languages. Foreign Language Translator Volunteers help the museum by simply transcribing the information from various languages into English. Generally these are ledgers or similar documents, leading the Museum to believe basic/elementary language skills are sufficient.

The Museum’s most needed languages are:

• Croatian
• Italian
• Finnish
• Chinese (dialect unknown)
• Slovenian

PERFECT FOR:

• Those looking to use or practice their basic translation skills

Duties and Responsibilities

A Foreign Language Translator Volunteer will:

• Help the Curator translate historic documents written in foreign languages.
• Transcribe the contents of foreign language documents into English

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for,
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

Training:

• This role gets little to no extra training, generally these volunteers have existing language skills

Qualifications:

• Basic/elementary language skills (or above) in: Croatian, Italian, Finnish, Chinese (dialect unknown), or Slovenian.
• 12 years or older. Volunteers under 18 require adult permission.
• Behind the scenes museum experience
• Access to specialized genealogy research sources
• Direct contact with the Museum’s Curator

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Genealogy Aid

Role of a Genealogy Aid Volunteer:

Genealogical requests are some of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum’s most common research requests. The data and records for these kinds of requests are also constantly growing ranging from obituaries to census data. Genealogy Aids help maintain these records and perform some of the basic research steps for genealogy related requests. Genealogy Aids usually work periodically for short periods of time as tasks build up.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those interested or skilled in genealogy research
• Those looking for a minimal but long term time commitment.

Duties and Responsibilities

A Genealogy Aid will:

• Help the Curator research genealogy related requests using the Museum’s resources.
• Help maintain the Museum’s genealogical records including updating the obituary records

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for, usually not more than a few hours a month
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

Training:

• Genealogy Aids are given specific training related to genealogy research

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for genealogy (though no prior skills required)
• 12 years or older. Volunteers under 18 require adult permission.
• Able to work with computer software including Ancestry and/or Family Search
• Ability to sort by alphabetical and chronological orders
• No prior research skills necessary WE WILL TRAIN YOU!

 

Benefits:

• Volunteer ID (should be worn while on shift)
• Behind the scenes museum experience
• Access to specialized genealogy research sources
• Direct contact with the Museum’s Curator

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Fiber Arts Interpreter (demonstrator)

Role of a Fiber Arts Interpreter:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Museum a Fiber Arts Interpreter volunteer will help with demonstrating basic wool and fiber arts techniques. Demonstration roles can range from simply showing the technique to visitors to presenting in costume or role.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those interested in handicrafts and handicraft history
• Those looking to practice communication and handicraft skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

A Fiber Arts Interpreter will:

• Greet visitors and demonstrate basic fiber art techniques.
• Demonstrate/practice hand carding and basic drop spinning.
• If interested some Interpreters may demonstrate in costume or in a role

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for.
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies.
• Represent the museum in a professional manner.

Training:

• Visitor Services Aides will receive all training on site as necessary, no formal training sessions are needed, but staff will train the volunteers on the appropriate tools and technique.

Qualifications:

• Interest in communicating with people from all walks of life and all over the world.
• Interest in fiber arts and/or fiber art history.
• Willingness to learn basic technique including hand carding and drop spinning. Pre-existing knowledge is a plus but not necessary. We will train you; we are not expecting perfection either!
• Willingly follows professional museum practices. Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations.
• At least 12 years of age. Persons under 18 require parental consent.
• Willingness to adhere to work appropriate dress code: Casual dress is acceptable, outfits with offensive words, slogans, or symbols are not.

Benefits:

• Fiber Arts Interpreter Nametag, should be worn while on shift
• Training, tools, and costumes (if applicable) will be provided by, and belong to, the Museum.

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Gardening and Grounds Volunteer

 

Role of a Gardening and Grounds Volunteer:

The Sweetwater County Historical Museum maintains minor landscaping including native plant beds. During the growing season our plants need frequent care and specific tasks such as watering, weeding, potential transplanting etc. In season volunteers may also participate in landscaping the grounds and landscape maintenance such as replacing bricks. Out of season interested volunteers can assist with salting, shoveling snow and other maintenance tasks, or work on other volunteer projects.

PERFECT FOR:

• Gardening enthusiasts
• Those who wish to work outdoors or with minimal contact with others

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

A Gardening and Grounds Volunteer will:

• Help the staff maintain the grounds, particularly the native plant beds in front of the building
• Follow all appropriate procedures for maintaining plants
• Participate in landscaping projects

 

Commitment:

• Will attend any shift they sign up for and complete their assigned tasks
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

 

Training:

• The appropriate volunteer will likely have some interest and knowledge in basic gardening. However, specific training and guidance will be given for every task, which will be unique to each task and volunteer.

 

Qualifications:

 

• Enthusiasm for gardening
• Detailed-oriented
• Prepared to work outside in hot weather
• Able to work independently, with minimal guidance

 

Benefits:

• Minor gardening freedom and access to museum gardening resources

Volunteer Staff Job Description-3^rd Grade History Fair Volunteer

Role of an 3^rd Grade History Fair Volunteer:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, an volunteer at the 3^rd Grade History Fair will help with the presentation of a specific activity during the program. Each volunteer signs up for a 3 hours shift during the fair. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary before training.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those with inconsistent or flexible schedules looking to learn more about history
• Those who enjoy teaching
• Those who enjoy working with children

 

Duties and Responsibilities

A 3^rd Grade History Fair Volunteer will:

• Help present the 3^rd Grade History Fair activities (volunteers will receive guidance on how to present the activities)
• Maintain their station for at least one shift during the event, if not more.

 

Commitment:

• Attend and work any 3 hour shift they sign up for (the 2022 History Fair is May 10-13)
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

 

Training:

• 3^rd Grade History Fair Volunteers attend one 30-60 minute training session. Several training sessions are offered throughout the spring. Check our Calendar of Events (under the "Explore" tab) or Facebook for dates and times.

 

Qualifications:

• Interest in county history, museums or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of 3^rd grade historic concepts (training will cover this information)
• Willingly follows professional museum practices
• Volunteers for the 3rd Grade History Fair should be at least 18 years of age.
• Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations
• Interest in working with children.
• NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY PRIOR TO TRAINING.

 

Benefits:

• 3^rd Grade History Fair ID (should be worn while on shift)
• Behind the scenes museum experience
• Volunteer assists in teaching a new generation the value of Sweetwater County history

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Education Docent

Role of an Education Docent:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, an Education Docent volunteer will conduct scheduled tours of the museum and surrounding community to visitors of varied age groups including: students ranging from elementary school to college, adults, and mixed groups.

Docent pairs are allowed and encouraged for those who work best with a partner.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those with inconsistent or flexible schedules looking to learn more about history

 

Duties and Responsibilities

An Education Docent will:

• Give prescheduled tours of the museum and sites in the community of special interest.

 

Commitment:

• Give a minimum of one tour per year
• Attend at least one docent training every two years
• Give tours when scheduled to do so

 

Training:

• Complete all Docent Training sessions (1 hour session) Please check our Calendar of Events (under the "Explore" tab) or our Facebook for dates and times.
• Satisfactorily present a tour to a staff member
• Successfully pass Docent Training test with an 70% or better
• Attend a minimum of one Docent Training session every 2 years

 

Qualifications:

• Interest in county history, museums or equivalent
• Interest in working with students grades K-12
• Proficient in speaking and reading English or Spanish fluently
• Effectively communicates with a group
• Willingly follows professional museum practices
• At least 17 years of age. Persons under 18 require parental consent
• Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations
• Willingness to adhere to docent dress code; Business Casual

 

Benefits:

• Education Docent Nametag (should be worn during tours)
• Access to specialized museum research tools, on request

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Cataloging Volunteer

Role of a Cataloging Volunteer:

We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer who would like a hands-on experience with the historic artifacts from our permanent collections. As a cataloging volunteer, you will assist the Curator in catalog our accessions (also known as donations) into our collections. Cataloging Volunteers will learn and follow the cataloging process, which involves the following steps: writing physical descriptions; writing condition reports; physically numbering the objects; and housing and storing the objects.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those with long term interest in working with the Museum
• Those who enjoy antiques and historic items
• Those who are used to repetitive tasks and data entry.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

A Cataloging Volunteer will:

• Help the Curator catalog the museum collections including documenting and storing objects
• Follow all appropriate procedures for handling museum objects (covered by training)

 

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner
• Long term commitment to the working with the museum

 

Training:

• Cataloging volunteers are given specific training for each collection they will work with.

 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for history
• Detailed-oriented
• Willingness to learn and use proper artifact-handling procedures
• Able to work independently and collaboratively

 

Benefits:

• Volunteer ID (should be worn while on shift)
• Behind the scenes museum experience

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Archival Indexing Volunteer

Role of an Archival Indexing Volunteer:

The Sweetwater County Historical Museum has many documents in our archives that need to be indexed. Indexing is the process of creating a searchable document for a series of documents. Creating an index makes it easier for public researchers to browse our archives to locate related information and allows the Museum staff to easily look over an archival collection without having to physically dig through it. Archival Indexing Volunteers will help create these searchable tools.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those who like seeing completed projects grow over time
• Those who are used to repetitive tasks and data entry.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

An Archival Indexing Volunteer will:

• Help the Curator create indexes for specific collections in the Archives.
• Follow all appropriate procedures for handling museum objects (covered by training)

 

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

 

Training:

• Archival Indexing Volunteers are given specific training for each collection they will work with.

 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for history
• Detailed-oriented
• Able to work with Microsoft Excel
• Willingness to learn and use proper artifact-handling procedures
• Able to work independently

 

Benefits:

• Volunteer ID (should be worn while on shift)
• Behind the scenes museum experience

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Oral History Interviewer

Role of an Oral History Interviewer:

Everyone has a story to tell and those stories should be recorded and documented for future generations. As an Oral History Interviewer, you will be interviewing and documenting community members' stories with audio-visual equipment and using oral history best practices. Oral history training will be provided by Sweetwater County Historical Museum staff. Training will cover both sides of the oral history process: interviewing and transcribing. Interviewing will be the main focus of this volunteer position and an understanding both sides of the process is important to the overall oral history process.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those who enjoy learning about others lives
• Those who can keep a conversation on track.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

An Oral History Interviewer will:

• Interview individuals to preserve their stories for future generations.
• Follow all appropriate procedures for giving oral history interviewers (covered by training)
• Go to external sites, homes, or other locations to meet interviewees.

 

Commitment:

• Schedule interviews and give any interview they have scheduled
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

 

Training:

• Oral History Interviewers undergo a specific training session on both interviewing and transcribing oral histories. Please check our Calendar of Events and Facebook for dates and times.

 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for history
• Detail-oriented
• Outgoing personality
• Willingness to learn about the oral history process and handling necessary equipment
• Able to work independently and collaboratively

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Oral History Transcriber

Role of an Oral History Transcriber:

Everyone has a story to tell and those stories should be recorded and documented for future generations. As an Oral History Transcriber, you will be transcribing oral history recordings into a written document, using oral history best practices. Oral history training will be provided by Sweetwater County Historical Museum staff. Training will cover both side of the oral history process: interviewing and transcribing. Transcribing will be the main focus of this volunteer position and an understanding of both sides of the process is important to the overall oral history process.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those who enjoy learning about others lives
• Those who enjoy mundane tasks with little supervision.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

An Oral History Transcriber will:

• Transcribe oral histories to preserve their stories for future generations.
• Follow all appropriate procedures for transcribing oral history interviewers (covered by training)

 

Commitment:

• Attend shifts and transcribe oral histories during any shift they agree to
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

 

Training:

• Oral History Transcribers undergo a specific training session on both interviewing and transcribing oral histories. Please check our Calendar of Events and Facebook for dates and times.

 

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for history
• Detail-oriented
• Willingness to learn about the oral history process and handling necessary equipment
• Able to work independently

 

Benefits:

• Volunteer ID (should be worn while on shift)
• Behind the scenes museum experience

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Community Outreach Volunteer

Role of a Community Outreach Volunteer:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, a Community Outreach Volunteer will present predesigned programs for groups in a classroom setting. The content of the program will change depending on the age of the class.

Pairs are allowed and encouraged for those who work best with a partner.

PERFECT FOR:

• Retired teachers, or others with an informal education interest
• Those with schedules with openings during the school day
• Those who appreciate working with children

 

Duties and Responsibilities

An Community Outreach Volunteer will:

• Give presentations to preschool and elementary level classes

 

Commitment:

• Give a minimum of one program per year
• Attend at least one training every two years
• Give programs when scheduled to do so

 

Training:

• Complete all Training sessions (1 hour session)
• Satisfactorily present a program to a staff member
• Attend a minimum of one Training session every 2 years

 

Qualifications:

• Interest in county history, museums or equivalent
• Interest in working with students grades K-12
• Proficient in speaking and reading English or Spanish fluently
• Effectively communicates with a group
• Willingly follows professional museum practices
• At least 18 years old
• Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations
• Willingness to adhere to dress code: Casual Dress.

 

Benefits:

• Education Docent Nametag (should be worn during presentations)
• Access to specialized museum research tools, on request

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Events Aide

Role of an Events Aide:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, an Events Aide volunteer will help with the preparation of supplies, setup, or takedown for the museum’s various events. Events aides are given assignments as needed, according to their availability.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those with inconsistent or flexible schedules looking to learn more about history
• Preteens

Duties and Responsibilities

An Events Aide will:

• Help prepare supplies for upcoming events (cutting shapes, sorting supplies etc)
• Assist in the setup or takedown before and after events (setting up chairs/tables, sweeping etc)
• Interested Events Aides are encouraged to attend, or assist at, any of the museum’s events

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies
• Represent the museum in a professional manner

Training:

• Events aides will receive all training on site as necessary, no formal training sessions are necessary

Qualifications:

• Interest in county history, museums or equivalent
• Ability to use a scissors, gluestick, and other basic craft supplies with limited supervision
• Willingly follows professional museum practices
• At least 12 years of age. Persons under 18 require parental consent
• Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations
• Willingness to adhere to docent dress code; Casual dress is acceptable, outfits with offensive words, slogans, or symbols are not. Speak with the Public Engagement Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns on dress code.

Benefits:

• Events Aide Nametag, should be worn while on shift
• Behind the scenes museum experience

 

Volunteer Staff Job Description-Visitor Services Aide

Role of a Visitor Services Aide:

To help fulfill the mission and goals of the Sweetwater County Historical Museum, a Front End Aide volunteer will help with greeting and directing visitors, basic office work, and running the gift shop as needed. Front End Aides are given assignments as needed, according to their availability.

PERFECT FOR:

• Those with regular or inconsistent availability who like to work with people.
• Those looking to increase their experience in customer service.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

A Visitor Services Aide will:

• Greet visitors, orient them to the museum, answer questions about local attractions.
• Assist the museum staff as needed with office work such as filing.
• Help in the gift shop including running the cash register, stocking, facing, etc.

 

Commitment:

• Attend and work any shift they sign up for.
• Fill out a volunteer application and adhere to all volunteer policies.
• Represent the museum in a professional manner.

 

Training:

• Visitor Services Aides will receive all training on site as necessary, no formal volunteer training sessions are necessary but staff will train on cash register, etc.

 

Qualifications:

• Interest in communicating with people from all walks of life and all over the world.
• Interest in county history, museums or equivalent.
• Ability to run basic office equipment and computerized cash register/responsibly handle cash transactions and count change.
• Willingly follows professional museum practices. Must accept supervision and be willing to adapt to changing situations.
• At least 16 years of age. Persons under 18 require parental consent.
• Willingness to adhere to docent dress code: Casual dress is acceptable, outfits with offensive words, slogans, or symbols are not.

 

Benefits:

• Visitor Services Aide Nametag, should be worn while on shift
• Customer service and behind the scenes museum experience