VOLUNTEER
The Nevada State Railroad Museum depends on the energy and dedication of volunteers to provide the services necessary to make a visit to the museum a memorable and educational experience.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Nevada State Railroad Museum offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that you can participate in to support the preservation of Nevada’s railroad history. Museum volunteers serve as trusted ambassadors that provide access and knowledge to our guests. From assisting guests with a smile in the museum store to creating a bridge between curiosity and action for guests as a docent, your time results in a lasting impact.
As a museum volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to have hands-on experience with historic railroad equipment, learn new skills, expand your historical knowledge, contribute to meaningful programs for guests of all ages, and develop relationships with other museum volunteers.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:
MUSEUM DOCENT
Purpose: To provide guests with a pleasant impression of the museum by providing oral information regarding the equipment and exhibits located in the Jacobsen Interpretive Center (JIC) and Annex. Museum docents also protect artifacts from theft or damage and ensure that all visitors maintain safe behavior.
MUSEUM STORE
Purpose: To provide guests to the museum store with a pleasant purchasing experience, provide product information, and assist the Museum Store Manager with stocking, cleaning, and other tasks as needed.
TRAIN CREW
Purpose: Volunteers on train crew are responsible for operating and demonstrating various pieces of historical railroad equipment from the Museum’s collection in a secure environment. The training for these roles is specialized and distinctive.
DEPOT AGENT
Purpose: To provide museum guests interested in train rides with a pleasant impression, answer questions, and issue ride tickets using a point-of-sale system for train or motor car rides on weekends, holidays, and during special events.
VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING PROCESS
Those interested in volunteering at the Nevada State Railroad Museum are encouraged to fill out the new volunteer application form here. Once the form is received and approved by museum staff, the museum will contact you to schedule a time to pick up the required new volunteer paperwork. Upon return of the paperwork, new volunteers will receive role-specific training from staff or experienced volunteers. Training will include shadowing an experienced museum volunteer to learn daily procedures and guest-service expectations. Once comfortable, new volunteers will then be able to begin covering shifts.
New volunteers interested in train crew are also required to complete a safety test and attend the museum’s annual safety meeting held in the spring.
If you have questions about volunteering at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, please contact:
Museum Attendant II, Ryan Korson at 775-687-6953 ext. 233 or send an email to rkorson@nevadaculture.org