Position Summary

• Help ensure the safety and enjoyment of guests as they explore Midway
• Patrol all areas of the ship to serve guest safety needs throughout Midway, as well as at special events and military ceremonies
• Provide basic first aid for guests and Midway staff (training provided)
• Respond to all emergency situations, medical or other
• Monitor the entrance and all exits helping guests – from toddlers to veterans – enter and leave Midway safely
• Monitor the loading zone and parking areas ensuring the safety of our guests on and around Navy Pier

Minimum Requirements

All Safety Volunteers are required to be familiar with the Safety Team Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Emergency Action Plan, including the locations of the first aid kits and AEDs.

• Must be 18 years of age or older and computer literate
• Physically fit; able to climb up and down the ship’s ladders & walk and stand for extended periods of time
• Able to commit 20 hours per month (flexible schedule)
• Personal traits of timeliness, reliability, customer service, and diplomacy
• Ability to remain calm in an emergency
• Prior experience in customer service, military, nursing, Firefighting, EMT, paramedic, law enforcement is helpful but not required

Duties & Commitment 

A commitment of 20 or more hours per month is required. Safety volunteer shifts can be any day of the week. Typical shifts are 5 hours: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm – or – 12:30 – 5:30 pm. Safety team members are assigned a post at the start of the shift and are expected to assist guests and patrol for potential hazards and respond, as trained, to emergency situations.

Position Summary

We are looking for volunteers who enjoy people and enjoy crafts. Previous knot-tying or macramé experience is preferred, but we are willing to train. Midway has a very popular exhibit where volunteers demonstrate rudimentary knot tying skills. They also make and give knotted items, such as, Turks-head bracelets, lanyards, and monkey fists for a suggested donation that supports our scholarship program. The total donations collected for the year 2015 was more than $100,000 from more than 17,000 knotted items. The donations go to scholarships for local students pursuing higher education.

Minimum Requirements

Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to learn and demonstrate knot tying and a basic understanding of the museum’s layout and history.

Commitment

10 hours per month. Flexible shifts between 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

Position Summary

This opportunity involves World War II veterans who share personal stories with Midway guests. Midway visitors are eager to meet veterans with first-hand experience.

Duties & Commitment

Conversational/freestyle discussion; additional visual aids may be used by the guest speaker to enhance their personal stories. Volunteers are asked to participate for one or more 2-hour shifts per month on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Position Summary

Assist youth program team to host groups during evenings or early am hours. This position is meant to provide educational support rather than caregiving.

Minimum Requirements

Prospective volunteers must be friendly, articulate, have the ability to climb ship’s ladders, and be at least 18 years of age. Criminal history security check is required.

Training Provided. Museum tour and on-the-job training is provided to become familiar with the ship and its history.

Duties & Commitment

Supervise groups and help facilitate activities, such as tours and presentations. At least one shift per month. Evening shifts are 3 – 11 pm, Morning 6 – 10 am, or full overnight. There are 45 events per year.

Position Summary

This position interfaces with the public and provides a personal touch to Midway’s self-guided audio tour of the museum. Being a docent is probably one of the most rewarding experiences a volunteer can encounter as you witness positive reactions of visitors to informative and personal presentations.

Minimum Requirements

Strong interpersonal skills with a preferred background in public speaking and/or education and with the ability to communicate information clearly and concisely are important qualifications for this position. Personal traits of timeliness, reliability and diplomacy are expected. Prior military service is a plus, but not essential. Prospective volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, able to climb ship’s ladders and stand/walk for periods of up to 4 hours.

Training Provided. A 7-week, 40 plus-hour training curriculum (6 hours each session), using a standardized outline covering all aspects of ship familiarization, exhibits, history and interpersonal skills. After completing classroom study, 20 hours of “on the job” training with a seasoned docent is required before successfully completing a walk-through with a docent leader.

Duties & Commitment

As a docent graduate, you will give brief talks to groups at various locations throughout the ship. All activities are under the direction of the Chief Docent and daily operations are delegated to a Docent of the Watch who makes various daily shift assignments.

After completion of the above requirements and receiving a “yellow hat,” a minimum of 20 hours per month is required. Scheduling is flexible with shifts available 7 days a week; shifts are 4 hours each in the am or pm with occasional frequent opportunities to assist at private evening events.