Job Opportunities & Volunteer Opportunities

Job Opportunities:

Museum Interpreter

The City of Kennesaw is now accepting applications for the part-time position of Interpreter for the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.
The Interpreter will aide in providing educational programs, outreach initiatives, living history, and guided tours for a wide variety of audiences. Experience working with early childhood or elementary aged programs is a plus. The incumbent must be willing to work a thirty hour flexible schedule which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays. An Associate Degree or one to two years of museum/ cultural or classroom teaching experience is required. A complete job description is available on the City of Kennesaw website at www.kennesaw-ga.gov along with instructions as to how to apply.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Support and donations from the community have helped the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History become a Smithsonian-affiliated, world-class facility. The Museum now seeks volunteers to help maintain the Museum's commitment to providing an exciting and impressive experience to visitors. Volunteers are integral to the continued success of the Museum and provide a valuable service, not only to the Museum, but to the entire community.

Opportunities for volunteers, ages 18 and up, include:

Curatorial
Volunteers provide assistance in the maintenance of the Museum’s three permanent collections: The Great Locomotive Chase; Railroads: Lifelines of the Civil War; and Glover Machine Works: Casting a New South.

Library and Archives
Volunteers help preserve and conserve the Museum’s archival collection by processing and cataloging archival materials (documents, maps, photographs, books, magazines) according to collections standards. Volunteers will be trained in the appropriate handling of archival materials.

Education
Volunteers lead individual and group tours of the Museum, providing interpretation of the three permanent collections, and, when appropriate, of visiting exhibitions. Volunteers may also assist visitors and provide private tours during special events.

Administration
Volunteers prepare bulk mailings, answer phone requests, and assist with research, among other projects for the Museum.

Housekeeping
Volunteers assist staff in the care and maintenance of the building and grounds of the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.  Duties may include helping repair and maintain the building, yard, and exhibits, including the Glover Factory and the General.  Skills in electrical work, carpentry, and mechanical work are a plus.

Special Events
Volunteers assist in a variety of areas during Museum-sponsored events throughout the year, such as exhibit openings, lectures, fundraising events, etc.

Volunteer Benefits

In addition to the satisfaction of working at a world-class Museum and meeting people who share a love of history and the community, volunteers will receive a FREE annual family membership to the Museum that includes:

• Unlimited free admission for one year for two adults and all dependent minor children (under age 18) when accompanied by Member parent.
• 10% discount on Museum shop purchases.
  
• Invitation to exclusive Members Only events, including exhibition previews.
• Priority notice and seating for all lectures and community programs.
• Subscription to museum newsletter.
• Opportunities to participate in continuing education trips and lectures.

Please contact Ms. Cindy Dadyala, Membership and Volunteer Coordinator, at (770) 427-2117, extension 3182 for more information about volunteer opportunities at the Southern Museum.

Download the volunteer application

College Internship Opportunities:

The Southern Museum offers credited internships to college students exploring the museum field as a potential career opportunity or to satisfy college field placement requirements. Internships are a structured work experience allowing students to relate theory to practice while interacting within a professional museum environment.

Museum staff members provide interns with helpful feedback, academic credit evaluation, and may serve as liaisons with the students’ academic advisors. A session designed to prepare students for conducting their own professional career search is included as part of the internship. College students gain exposure to overall museum operations while concentrating on an individual project within a specific museum department determined upon academic background and area of interest. Participating museum departments include:

Education
Design/ implementation of museum interpretive programs and learning initiatives

Library and Archives
Processing/ cataloging documents, maps, photographs and manuscripts

Curatorial
Exhibition design/ installation and collections management of artifacts

Internship Program Details

• Internships require a minimum of 160 hours and need to be completed during the allotted academic semester (spring, fall, or summer).
• Internships are competitive and require an application process.
• All internships are unpaid and must be pre-arranged.
• Internships are conducted on-site at the Southern Museum. Travel to and from the museum or any housing accommodations are the responsibility of the student.
• All college students are eligible for the internship (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral).
• Students are responsible for paperwork, approvals, and deadlines required by their institution for academic credit.
• Students are accountable for working with museum staff in devising a schedule which will allow them to complete the internship hours required by their school. (Please note that there is limited availability for hours on weekends depending upon the museum department and internship project).

Please contact Dr. Richard Banz, Director of Education & Public Programs, at (770) 427-2117, extension 3177 for more information or questions concerning college internship opportunities at the Southern Museum.

Download the college internship application