Nonprofit
Spy Museum Docent (Tour Guide)
Details
Description
The International SPY Museum’s Webster Docent Corps seeks its next cohort. Volunteer docents will guide visitors through a highlights tour of the Museum’s permanent exhibits, providing an orientation to the Museum’s galleries and sharing knowledge on the largest collection of espionage artifacts on display.
Key Responsibilities
- Greet and lead groups solo through the Museum on a unique highlight tour
- Orient guests to the building including the location of bathrooms and exits
- Respond to guest questions
Skills and Attributes
- Ability to deliver engaging, accurate, and neutral content about intelligence and espionage
- Quick on their feet and can remember tour routes, stories, and details without the use of notes
- Confident, clear, and expressive public speaker who connects with audiences of all ages and backgrounds
- Team player who thrives on collaboration and is comfortable receiving feedback
- Ability to represent the Museum in a positive and professional manner
- Personable, enthusiastic, friendly, responsible, and reliable
- Comfortable working with large crowds and a diverse range of people
- Ability and willingness to move around the galleries for extended periods of time
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age
- Minimum commitment of one (1) year
- Complete a Spy Museum background check
- Available to volunteer for at least two, 4-hour shifts a month beginning in May 2027
- Shifts are currently planned for mid-day on Wednesdays through Mondays; additional weekdays or afternoon tours may be added
- Attend volunteer orientation on Friday, January 22, 2027, from 1:00–3:00 PM
- Complete Museum docent training
- Training program will meet on Fridays from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm January 29, 2027 through April 16, 2027 (excluding March 26).
- Some sessions will be remote; others will be in-person at the museum
- Attendance is mandatory
- Docents will be expected to complete roughly 3 hours of work between trainings including reading and watching content materials and preparing tour projects.
- Docent training will culminate in an approval tour in April/May; only docents who pass the approval tour will be allowed to give tours to the public.
- If the training times are not possible for you, please reach out to be placed on a waiting list for future training opportunities on different days/times.
Full Training Schedule
Friday, January 22, 2027: Volunteer Orientation* — In-Person
- Extended session for orientation: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Friday, January 29, 2027: In-Person
Friday, February 5, 2027: Remote
Friday, February 12, 2027: Remote
Friday, February 19, 2027: In-Person
Friday, February 26, 2027: In-Person
Friday, March 5, 2027: Remote
Friday, March 12, 2027: Remote
Friday, March 19, 2027: In-Person
- No training on Friday, March 26
Friday, April 2, 2027: In-Person
Friday, April 9, 2027: In-Person
Friday, April 16, 2027: Remote
Friday, April 23, 2027: In-Person (optional practice session)
Volunteer Benefits
- Access to special lectures, events, and training related to the Museum
- Museum store discounts
- Two complimentary tickets to the Museum
- Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event
Interested?
Please fill out the application below and submit it no later than November 2, 2026. Spaces are limited, and early applications are encouraged. Interviews will be on a rolling basis as applications are received. Decisions will be made by Monday, December 14, 2026.
