Museum Visitor Service Volunteers

Reports to National Park Service Staff

Our Opportunity:

Museum Visitor Service Volunteers support Gateway Arch National Park by assisting in the creation of a welcoming, informative, and visitor-centered environment for visitors and staff. The primary tasks of a Museum Visitor Service Volunteer are to be a friendly face for visitors when they enter the Park and offer valuable information to make their experience the most enjoyable. Volunteers may be asked to occasionally assist in educational programming or provide hands-on interpretation for visitors using touch table displays in the museum galleries.

How does this position make an impact?

Gateway Arch National Park strives to provide the best customer service to each visitor at the museum. This volunteer position allows the park to provide more opportunities to enhance positive visitor experiences.

This role is suitable for those with:

• Excellent communication skills
• A desire to interact with the public and learn more about the National Park Service
• Enthusiasm, friendliness, and a positive attitude
• Respect for confidentiality of the Gateway Arch National Park’s volunteers, partners, members, and donors
• Willingness to take initiative, and voice ideas

Commitment:

We suggest a minimum of 4 hours per month for a 6-month period, more encouraged. Shorter-term summer involvement may also be available pending needs, training, and approval.

Site:

Volunteers are on a rotating schedule inside the Museum at the Gateway Arch including the Tucker Theatre desk, the Information desk at the entrance of the museum, and throughout the six museum galleries. Parking is available a few blocks away at the Kiener West Garage at 604 Pine Street. Accommodations may be available upon request.

Roles and Responsibilities:

18 or older (younger applicants with parental/guardian approval may be considered). As representatives of The National Park Service and Gateway Arch Park Foundation, volunteers must adhere to the policies, procedures, and code of conduct as outlined in the volunteer handbook provided prior to or during training.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to forty (40) pounds

Hours/Days of Operations:

Museum Visitor Service Volunteers will be onsite 7 days a week. Daily shifts include a morning shift from 9 am - 1 pm and an afternoon shift from 1 pm to 5 pm. Volunteers register for their shifts and manage their schedules using our online system, VolunteerHub, archpark.volunteerhub.com.

Training and Supervision:

• Volunteers must attend orientation onsite or virtually. Orientation is approximately 1 hour long and held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm.
• Each volunteer will be asked to participate in self-guided training and complete a brief quiz afterward to prepare the volunteer to confidently interact with visitors using information presented in the museum.
• Additional training may be provided upon request.

Support:

Training for this position will be provided. Gateway Arch National Park and Gateway Arch Park Foundation staff will be available for questions and assistance as needed.

Management:

The volunteer program is co-managed by Gateway Arch National Park and Gateway Arch Park Foundation. Together, our program seeks to build a diverse core of park stewards and to enhance the experiences of both volunteers and visitors.

Volunteer Perks:

• Contribute to a national monument, The Gateway Arch National Park!
• Annual general membership to Gateway Arch Park Foundation (40+ hours)
• Annual volunteer recognition event
• Free parking if needed during volunteer hours

Next Steps:

If you are interested in this position and feel it is a good fit, please contact the Volunteer Manager at grace.teofilo@archpark.org or call 314-881-8881 to schedule an interview.

Thank you for wanting to be a part of our team. We could not serve the community of St. Louis without you!

About the Gateway Arch National Park

The Gateway Arch National Park (GANP) is a part of the National Park Service with a mission to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/jeff.

About Gateway Arch Park Foundation

The Gateway Arch Park Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to ensure that the Gateway Arch, its grounds, neighboring public space, and attractions are a vital, active, welcoming, well-supported resource to the community and nation for generations to come. The Foundation is part of an alliance that helps meet this mission, which includes the National Park Service, Bi-State Development, Great Rivers Greenway, Jefferson National Parks Association, and the City of St. Louis. For more information, visit www.ArchPark.org.