Volunteering AT DALNAVERT
Dalnavert Museum runs on the dedication of its volunteers. Our volunteers are the force driving our success. Without our committed community members, this historic home and community resource wouldn't exist. Keep reading to find out what volunteer opportunities are currently on offer at the museum.
The minimum age to volunteer is 14 with a parent. Certain roles may have an increased minimum age.
For more information, email your questions to volunteerservices@dalnavertmuseum.ca or give us a phone call at 204-943-2835 during our open hours.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Front Desk and Museum Tour Guide
At this time, we are only seeking volunteers for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for 10am-1pm, 12pm-4pm, or 10am-4pm shifts. (Please indicate your preference when you apply.)
About the Role
As a tour guide, you will be lead tours through Dalnavert, a small Victorian mansion. Over the course of our 45-60 minute guided tour, bring Dalnavert's history to life for visitors from all over the world. While not on tours, you will work the front desk. Front desk duties include greeting museum visitors, checking in guests for tours, answering the phone, handling cash and debit/credit transactions using a POS system, and taking gift shop sales. The Front Desk/Tour Guide role is also an opportunity to forge life-long friendships with your fellow volunteers.
Please note that due to the nature of the historic house and its architecture, volunteers with limited mobility may not be able to be tour guides. The tour covers three floors of the house and the upper floors of the house are only accessible by stairs. All tour guides must be able to use these stairs to deliver tours. Please see our website for more accessibility notes. Do not hesitate to reach out with accessibility-related questions if you are interested in volunteering. We will do our best to accommodate you, but may have to suggest another role if you cannot do stairs.
To apply, email volunteerservices@dalnavertmuseum.ca before July 1.
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Skills required:
Comfortable interacting with visitors
Able to speak clearly and confidently to individuals and small groups
Able to follow directions
Willingness to learn
Oral communication (English)
Basic knowledge of Canadian currency (bills and coins) and basic math skills to give accurate change
Able to work as part of a team and independently
Able to navigate the three floors of the historic house on foot (the upper floors are only accessible by stairs)
Able to represent the Museum a with friendly, informative, and positive attitude
Familiarity with principles of Truth and Reconciliation
We communicate with volunteers via email and track volunteers using Better Impact. Basic computer skills and email access are required to volunteer.
Minimum age = 15 (with parent's permission)
The following skills and qualifications are not required, but are an asset:
An interest in history, arts, or culture
French, ASL or any additional languages
Customer service experience
Cash handling and familiarity with POS systems
Retail experience
Experience working with diverse groups
Experience presenting information to the public
We will train volunteers in many of these skills.
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Volunteers are expected to sign up for a regular 3-, 4-, or 6-hour shift once a week through the end of August 2026. (Volunteers will have the option of staying on into the fall/winter if their schedule allows.)
Summer (June-August) shifts are either 10am-4pm (with 30 minute lunch break), 10am-1pm, or 12pm-4pm. (September-May shifts are Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-4pm only.)
At this time, we are only seeking volunteers for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays for 10am-1pm, 12pm-4pm, or 10am-4pm shifts. (Please indicate your preference when you apply.)
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All volunteers receive a discount in the Museum gift shop, an invite to the annual volunteer party, and complimentary parking while volunteering as available.
Accessibility requests and questions relating to volunteering should be directed to volunteerservices@dalnavertmuseum.ca or 204-943-2835.