Volunteer with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino

Are you interested in sharing the rich and diverse history of the U.S. Latino experience? If so, we invite you to join our volunteer cohort! Help us support educational programs by engaging in hands-on activities and tours that connect with the Molina Family Latino Gallery content. You'll get to enjoy fun, educational, and participatory experiences while positively impacting our community.

The Molina Family Latino Gallery of the National Museum of the American Latino opened in June 2022. The gallery explores the diverse stories of Latinos in the United States-past, present, and future-through dynamic, multidisciplinary exhibitions and programming. The inaugural exhibition, Presente! A Latino History of the United States, tells our national history from the perspectives of the diverse Latinas/os who lived it. This exhibition uncovers hidden and forgotten stories, connects visitors to Latino culture, and lays the foundation for understanding how Latinas/os inform and shape U.S. history.

VOLUNTEER MAIN DUTIES:

• Support facilitating activities at the GM Learning Lounge. Volunteers will assist with hands-on activities that engage visitors to make connections about the exhibition content, people, and places. Activity themes are related to history, arts, and culture, as well as science and technology.

• Facilitate the Active Learning Carts. Volunteers will facilitate short (no more than 15 minutes) hands-on activities or demonstrations outside the gallery in the museum as part of school programs.

• Offer highlight tours of the Molina Family Latino Gallery of up to 45 minutes. 

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Have a strong interest in U.S. Latino history and a love for learning.

• Enjoy sharing the richly diverse history of the U.S. Latino experience with visitors of different age groups, backgrounds, and learning styles.

• Previous experience working with intergenerational families and school groups is recommended but not required.

• Comfortable facilitating hands-on activities or demonstrations for visitors of multiple ages.

• Ability to speak in public and talk to groups of 15-25 people.

• Have the ability to work in teams and provide excellent customer service.

• Fluency in Spanish is recommended but not required.

• Fluency in American Sign Language, helpful but not required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a federal background check.

• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

• Basic computer skills and access to a device with an Internet connection to participate in virtual trainings and enrichment opportunities.

SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS:

• Two (3.5 hours) shifts a month. 

• Applicant must commit to a minimum of volunteering for one year.

• Volunteer shifts (Weekdays or Weekends): 10 am-1:30 pm or 1 pm-4:30 pm. 

HOW DO I APPLY?

The application deadline is Friday, February 16th, 2024. 

Interested candidates must create an account and apply through the Smithsonian volunteer management system Vsys. Click on the "sign up" button to create an account and complete the entire application. https://vol.si.edu/pages/tool/any.vol.joblookup:FS6EBP88NRKXL2G3

Upcoming Information Sessions:

Online Information Session

Wednesday, January 31st, 2024

7pm-8pm (EST)

https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcuqqqTsoH925s0RHrqP03qWlgsOUXGoL

In-Person Information Session

Saturday, February 3rd, 2024

10:30am-11:30am

GM Learning Lounge, Molina Family Latino Gallery

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/information-session-volunteer-program-tickets-801981597547?aff=oddtdtcreator

For questions, please contact us, at NMALvolunteer@si.edu.