Donate Your Time
Volunteers are essential to the on-going success of the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Last year, volunteers worked more than 39,000 hours in support of the museum’s construction and exhibit building programs, collections management, aircraft operations, museum administration and the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life—and while most of them are adults, we also have a number of young people who donate time to the museum. Keep in mind, though, that volunteer applicants under the age of 18 must volunteer together with a parent or guardian.
Here’s how the volunteer application process works:
-
- Fill out the application below and express your preference of duties.
-
- The fastest track to becoming a volunteer is to select one of the Current Positions Available below.
-
- You can apply for any other Museum Volunteer Position if you prefer and you will be placed on a waiting list until one of those positions become available.
-
- When completing the Volunteer Application Form please be brief and indicate your experience as it relates to the specific job you you’ve selected.
Volunteer Opportunities
Current Positions Available
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS/COLLEGE ENGINEERING PROGRAMS – Develop, test, and maintain interactive exhibits that excite and educate the museum visitors in experiencing WWII technologies in specially designed simulators using modern technologies. A wide variety of mechanical, engineering, and computer skills are used in developing these simulators. Specific skills desired or willingness to learn include simulation software, microprocessors, CAD, scanning and 3D printing. Work in a creative, problem solving, learning environment that is unlike most any other aircraft museum. Assist in guiding engineering and computer science students learning how to transition into industry.
FRONT DESK – Oversees daily museum operations in Admissions, ie; open and closes terminals, takes care of the bank and keeps cash drawers full and balanced, checks in guests, sells guided tours, gift shop memorabilia, creates monthly schedule for volunteers working admissions, schedules group tours, events (large and small), makes intercom announcements regarding tour times, provides information requested by phone inquiries and for the general public. Greet customers, either validating prepaid tickets or selling new tickets, discussing topics about the museum pertaining to their interests and completing various administrative jobs as needed. This position will be interfacing with the public and will require a positive attitude and the ability to focus when working with groups of people.
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, GIFT SHOP AND SALES – Performs retail related tasks such as stocking, assembling retail displays, and back-office tasks. Create aviation art for sale from historical airplane parts, aluminum, Plexiglas and other materials.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR – Works on activities to support the volunteer process, maintains associated data and forms, interacts with project or program leaders in the volunteer application and intake process, and recruits’ volunteers for events and activities. Computer and Microsoft Office familiarity and the desire to work with people are required.
FACILITIES AND GROUNDS – We are expanding this group and need volunteers to help with all aspects of maintenance, repair, and operation of the museum buildings grounds. Typical duties include cleaning, servicing of facilities equipment, minor building repairs, mowing, weeding, and scooping and plowing snow.
EVENT OPERATIONS – We need additional staffing for event planning, event setup and preparation, supporting the event while it is in progress, and in returning the museum to operational status. Requirements for this position include the ability to work during the week, basic experience with planning and communication, the ability to perform physical labor and to be customer focused. The museum usually hosts 30 – 40 events a year.
EVENT PARKING – Many events require parking assistance to guide customers to the assigned parking locations. This position will help plan and support this event related parking. Requirements for this position include the ability to work during the week when events occur and to have the physical capability necessary to work outside, on your feet to assist event guests parking their cars.
DOCENTS – Acts as a museum host and interacts with visitors throughout their stay at the museum. Conducts guided tours that provide historical context for museum visitors. Monitors museum galleries to ensure the security of aircraft and exhibits, and the general safety of museum guests. Docents are required to participate in an on-going training program where they acquire detailed and accurate knowledge of the museum’s mission, story line, artifacts and aircraft.
Museum Volunteer Positions
AIRCRAFT RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE – Performs maintenance and restoration to aircraft as assigned. Duties to include performing normal maintenance to operational aircraft and activities required to restore aircraft. A&P license highly recommended.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS – Researches and creates communications for use in public relations, advertising, marketing, social media, graphics design, and publications. The team also works to build relationships with community groups and public interest organizations, and it provides support to media interested in developing stories about the museum.
CURATOR – Members of this group are responsible for the museum’s displays and the artifacts that go into them as well as the graphics that tell the museum’s story. Specific tasks include design and development of graphics, design and implementation of displays, historical research on stories and artifacts. Team members interface with potential artifact donors about the acceptability of proposed donations, receive donations, and catalog artifacts in our computer database. They also ensure the proper storage of artifacts, and under the curator’s direction, develop and improve museum exhibits and displays. Team members are required, with curator assistance, to identify artifacts, properly catalog them, use safe and appropriate procedures and materials to store them.
DEVELOPMENT – Works closely with the Museum’s Development Committee to increase public awareness and maximize investment in the museum’s Capital Campaign other development projects.
DOCENTS – Acts as a museum host and tour guide, providing historical context to the museum experience. Responsible for basic-level security of the museum and coordinates initial emergency response as needed. Detailed and accurate knowledge of the museum’s mission, storyline, historical collection and aircraft is essential. Active participation in a formal training program is required.
EVENTS – Interface with the customer by telephone, email, text and in person meetings as the primary point of contact for renting the Museum or WestPac facility. Plan the event, solicit for required volunteers to support the event. Communicate upcoming event dates/times and requirements to appropriate Museum volunteer teams. Plan the event parking for volunteers, vendors, and guests. Prior to, during and after the event, interface with customer representatives, rental sources, and Museum volunteer teams.
FACILITIES, GROUNDS AND PURCHASING – The Facilities, Grounds and Purchasing Section is responsible for operating and maintaining all museum buildings and grounds, to include maintenance repair work, servicing building and support equipment and cleaning of facilities and exhibits. This section also supplies Purchasing support for ordering and buying items needed for the museum.
FRONT DESK – Oversees daily museum operations in Admissions, ie; open and closes terminals, takes care of the bank and keeps cash drawers full and balanced, checks in guests, sells guided tours, gift shop memorabilia, creates monthly schedule for volunteers working admissions, schedules group tours, events (large and small), makes intercom announcements regarding tour times, provides information requested by phone inquiries and for the general public. Greet customers, either validating prepaid tickets or selling new tickets, discussing topics about the museum pertaining to their interests and completing various administrative jobs as needed. This position will be interfacing with the public and will require a positive attitude and the ability to focus when working with groups of people.
LIBRARY – Catalog donated papers, magazines, technical manuals, books, and videos, using a software tool to catalog in Dewey Decimal Classification. Other tasks include researching rare books, organizing shelves and storage, organizing books to sell, and performing an annual inventory.
OPERATIONS – Assists in operational activities requiring aircraft and display movement, heavy equipment operation, aircraft maintenance etc.
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, GIFT SHOP AND SALES – Performs retail related tasks such as stocking, assembling retail displays, and back-office tasks. Create aviation art for sale from historical airplane parts, aluminum, Plexiglas and other materials.
SECURITY – Conducts physical security audits of Museum; monitor and administer security systems such as cameras and site access; liaison and coordinates with VIP visitors regarding site visits or activities; maintains security-related documents, incident reports, and associated emergency planning; facilitates security and safety-related volunteer training.
STATIC DISPLAYS, MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION AND EXHIBIT DESIGN – Restores aircraft and vehicles to museum quality. Build display boxes, stands and museum-related items under direction of the curator; maintain museum facilities and airport environment. This includes working with metal, wood, Plexiglas, paint and the associated tools and equipment.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION – Works on activities to support the volunteer process, maintains associated data and forms, interacts with project or program leaders in the volunteer application and intake process, and recruits’ volunteers for events and activities. Computer and Microsoft Office familiarity and the desire to work with people are required.
WEBSITE – Works on updating museum websites and social media.
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS/COLLEGE ENGINEERING PROGRAMS – Develop, test, and maintain interactive exhibits that excite and educate the museum visitors in experiencing WWII technologies in specially designed simulators using modern technologies. A wide variety of mechanical, engineering, and computer skills are used in developing these simulators. Work in a creative, problem solving, learning environment that is unlike most any other aircraft museum. Assist in guiding engineering and computer science students learning how to transition into industry
DISPLAY DEMONSTRATOR – Provide instructors for the various simulators at the Museum, including the Link Trainer, the Link Mod, the N3N biplane and, in the future, some exciting new interactive exhibits which are currently in development. Although volunteers in this section are not required to be a pilot, a basic knowledge of aircraft terminology, flight controls, and the ability to communicate the joy of flight to our guests make these exhibits some of the most popular in the entire Museum.