OUR CULTURE
Midway volunteers are essential to the everyday operations of the museum and are often the highlight of the ship experience for our visitors! Share in the passion of having fun, while building a greater sense of community through service.
Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life to join Midway’s Team!
Join us as an individual for an on-going assignment, with a variety of options to choose from, or, participate as a group for a one-day project.
We are currently accepting volunteer applications; however, please keep in mind that the museum is adapting to new operations in the era of Covid 19. Job descriptions, screening and placement will vary from our norm. Rest assured, we will keep you informed each step of the way, and your safety will be paramount.
Scroll down to review our current volunteer opportunities from Safety to Ship Restoration; there is something for everyone.
Midway volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, willing to participate with a regular commitment for a minimum of six months and have a healthy team spirit attitude!
Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to consider a one-day service project, see below for more information.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Position Summary
Writing for magazine archiving project. Volunteers are needed to summarize articles on Naval and Marine history. The United States Naval Institute and the USS Midway Museum have a joint project to provide a digitized index to the USNI’s Proceedings magazine, which has been published since 1874. The goal of the project is to provide summaries of each of the main articles from more than 1,300 issues in an internet accessible database.
Minimum Requirements
Must have typing skills, be computer literate, and have interest in naval history, research, reading, and writing.
Duties & Commitment
A minimum of ten (10) hours per month for a minimum of four (4) consecutive months is required. There is flexibility to work from home or in the Midway library, which is accessible only via the ship’s ladders.
Position Summary
This position offers a unique opportunity to assist teachers in preparing students for U.S. Citizenship and English as a Second Language!
- Use tutoring techniques, tutor guide and provide practice for students learning civics and the English language
- Conduct mock interviews in preparation for a formal immigration interview
- Work in partnership with a classroom teacher to engage in language drills and casual conversation for students to practice their language skills
- Provide students with assurance and confidence during classroom interaction
- Working off ship in the community on behalf of Midway
Volunteers will work in partnership with the staff of community-based organizations, and will use resources and training developed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the Midway, and will be entitled to all benefits of the Midway volunteer program.
Minimum Requirements
Must have good interpersonal skills be personable and patient. Training is provided, but experience teaching or in a classroom setting is a plus.
Duties & Commitment
A commitment of one class period per week, at the same classroom for a period of one school semester and completion of Midway and partner organization application, including Live Scan and TB test.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Midway welcomes groups of 10-20 to come aboard for group volunteer projects. From military, corporate, social, educational and other organizations, we invite you to participate for a one-time project on board. These projects will give your team the opportunity to spend time aboard, learn about the history of Midway, and help keep our ship clean for the museum guests coming from all over the world. Join in the spirit of service to inspire future generations.
Please note, group projects last approximately 3 hours, and early mornings are preferred. Advance arrangements are required. Participants may tour museum at their own pace following the project. For more information, contact our Volunteer Department at (619) 398-8289 or groups@midway.org.
HEAR FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Facts
Midway’s Volunteer Knot Tying Team has used 180+ miles of cord since the program began in 2007.
Military experience is not required to be a Midway volunteer. Midway’s culture includes having FUN!
Each month, 750 active volunteers contribute to Midway’s mission in various departments and roles.
Volunteers proudly drive the Midway’s operational success daily, keeping the Midway Magic alive!
