Position: Sailors Speak Program Discussion Leader (Temporary Contract Position)

The USS Constitution Museum is seeking 7 motivated and passionate Discussion Leaders for a new project, Sailors Speak: The Impact of War on Naval Veterans, their Families, and the Country. The Sailors Speak project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, will build on the primary source resources and networks of the Museum to explore naval heritage and contemporary military service through an interdisciplinary, humanities-rich discussion program with veterans and their adult family members. Specifically, the project will focus on the War of 1812 and the post 9/11 wars. 

Responsibilities & Standards of Conduct:

The Discussion Leaders will attend a full-day preparatory training program from September 12-16, 2022, during which they will be introduced to a range of humanities sources and learn methods for creating a safe space for open dialogue and sharing among veterans. Once the preparatory training program is complete, each discussion leader will participate in one of three discussion programs between October and early November with a group of naval veterans and military family members. The goal of the discussion programs is to encourage discussion of military experiences through a broad humanities perspective.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Navy veterans, active-duty, and adult military family members are encouraged to apply.
• Preference will be given to individuals who are veterans or have worked with veterans, and those with content knowledge in one or both of the conflicts covered in this program (War of 1812 and the post 9/11 wars).
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct conversations with empathy and focus.
• Experience using Zoom and other video conferencing platforms is a plus.

Schedule: 

The full-day preparatory training program is from September 12-16, 2022.

Discussion leaders will then lead a portion of a discussion program scheduled between early October and early November 2022. There are three discussion program opportunities available:

Option 1: In person at the USS Constitution Museum on Wednesdays (between Oct 5 – Nov 9) from 1pm – 4pm

Option 2: Virtually via Zoom on Thursdays (between Oct 6 – Nov 10) from 6pm – 8pm

Option 3: In person at the USS Constitution Museum on Saturdays (Oct 15, 22, 29) from 9am – 4pm

Pay: 

$2,400 stipend

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

Consultants are required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The Museum will consider an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they are unable to get vaccinated due to a qualifying medical disability or a sincerely held religious objection. The Museum is not required to provide an accommodation or exemption from the vaccine requirement if doing so would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace or would create an undue hardship for the Museum.

How to Apply:

Qualified applicants should email a cover letter, resume, DD214 or LES (if applicable), and preferred schedule option to Kate Monea at kmonea@usscm.org. No phone calls, please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity of candidates is a top priority, including age, race, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, parental status, religion, disability, and military status.

Position: Visitor Experience Volunteer, LEGO Exhibit

Reports to: Manager of Interpretation & Visitor Services and Assistant Manager of Interpretation & Visitors Services

The USS Constitution Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution, by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the stories of “Old Ironsides” and the people associated with her. The Museum is a not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1972, welcoming over 350,000 visitors annually. The USS Constitution Museum is located in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard, just across the dock from “Old Ironsides,” which remains a commissioned naval vessel.

Visitor Experience staff members, interns and volunteers develop learning experiences for visitors of all ages, backgrounds, learning styles and abilities. Through interpretation, community outreach, special events, and visitor services, Visitor Experience staff provide a hands-on, minds-on experience that encourages visitors to make personal connections to USS Constitution’s history and the lives of the people associated with her.

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Position Summary

Visitor Experience Volunteers support the efforts of the Museum Learning Department in engaging our visitors in the history of USS Constitution. LEGO exhibit volunteers directly support the mission of the USS Constitution Museum by assisting our staff with the facilitation of the Museum’s brand-new LEGO brick building area, engaging visitors in hands-on activities, and providing information to visitors about the Museum. Additional responsibilities may be available based on interest and need.

 

Responsibilities & Standards of Conduct

• Address all visitors in a welcoming, respectful manner and proactively seek ways, both large and small, to positively influence their visit to the Museum through personal attention.
• Recognize and act on opportunities to use basic interpretive approaches to positively impact visitors’ experiences in the LEGO brick building area, including facilitating daily Challenge Card builds, free builds, and picture opportunities.
• Confidently communicate basic information on a range of topics from Constitution’s history in a way that respects the individual needs, motivations and abilities of our visitors.
• Inform visitors of Museum policies regarding, but not limited to, photography, food and/or drinks, appropriate behavior and, when possible, provide reasonable alternatives whenever possible.
• Communicate and cooperate with all staff and volunteers to create a cohesive team within Museum Learning and throughout the Museum.

 

Qualifications

• Outgoing personality and ability to proactively interact with visitors
• An interest in working with families and children
• Experience in a teaching or customer service position
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills

 

Schedule

The Museum requires that volunteers commit to at least 8 hours of volunteer work each month during our busy summer season (May– October) to remain in “active” status.  The following shifts are available to volunteer:

• Monday: 11:00 am- 1:30 pm/ 1:30 pm- 4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 11:00 am- 1:30 pm/ 1:30 pm- 4:00 pm
• Wednesday: 11:00 am- 1:30 pm/ 1:30 pm- 4:00 pm
• Thursday: 11:00 am- 1:30 pm/ 1:30 pm- 4:00 pm
• Friday: 11:00 am- 1:30 pm/ 1:30 pm- 4:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am- 2:00 pm/ 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm
• Sunday: 10:00 am- 2:00 pm/ 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm

 

Vaccination Policy:

Staff, interns, and volunteers will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The Museum will consider an exemption from the vaccine requirement if candidates are unable to get vaccinated due to a qualifying medical disability or a sincerely held religious objection. The Museum is not required to provide an accommodation or exemption from the vaccine requirement if doing so would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace or would create an undue hardship for the Museum.

 

How to Apply:

Send resume, availability, and brief statement of interest to ckauffman@usscm.org. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. EOE.