SAMbassador Volunteer Program

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

SAMbassadors greet and welcome museum visitors, helping them in locating activities and facilities throughout SAM's downtown location, assisting with way-finding, providing general information about the museum's art collection and exhibitions, and encouraging positive visitor interactions.

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION

Volunteer Programs/SAM downtown, SAM Collections & Installations Galleries

TIME COMMITMENT

Weekly or bi-weekly, 3-hr shifts for a minimum of one year

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Greet and welcome visitors to the museum galleries

- Answer questions and direct visitors throughout the museum

- Provide accurate information about facilities, museum programs and exhibitions

- Educate visitors about museum environment and etiquette

- Work cooperatively with on-site staff and other front-line volunteers

- Attend continuing education sessions

- Refer maintenance, safety or security concerns to appropriate staff as needed

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

- Ability to provide excellent customer service to all museum visitors

- Ability to communicate professionally and effectively to visitors, staff, and volunteers

- Must be able to commit to a regular schedule (weekly or bi-weekly 3-hr long shifts) for a minimum of one year

- Ability to ask for help and accept supervision and evaluation of your work

- Abide by the Standards for Museum Volunteers as outlined in the SAM Volunteers Association (SAMVA) Volunteer Handbook

TRAINING PROVIDED

- Training sessions about the museum, safety and security procedures, customer service, etc. are required and provided by the museum

- General SAM Volunteer orientation is required and provided by the Volunteer Programs Department

- Participation in SAMVA Exhibition Information Training Sessions is required and provided by the museum

- Regular attendance at a minimum of four continuing education sessions is required; options include curator gallery talks, other training or adult education programs offered by SAM, library resources on collection and past education program recordings

- Participation in other continuing education sessions, study groups, book clubs, field trips and administrative meetings are available to all SAM volunteers, as desired