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.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Front Desk and Museum Tour Guide
Please note: At this time, we are only seeking volunteers for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for the 12pm-4pm shift (with an option to transition to a 10am-1pm or 10am-4pm shift once summer hours begin in June). Applications for this round of recruitment will be considered until March 25th, 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities
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 upper floors of the house are only accessible by stairs, and so, 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.
-
Required skills:
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)
Able to work as part of a team and independently
Basic knowledge of Canadian currency (bills and coins) and basic math skills to give accurate change
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
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.
-
All shifts are in-person, on-site at 61 Carlton St. Tours take place across three-floors; the upper floors of the house are only accessible by stairs. There are opportunities for guides to sit on tours; all front desk duties can be completed while seated or standing.
-
Volunteers receive:
Discount in Museum gift shop
Invitation to annual volunteer party
Complimentary parking while volunteering
Dalnavert staff will also provide a letter of reference (after a minimum of three months or 50 hours, whichever is lesser) and sign off on volunteer hours.
Time Committment
Volunteers are expected to sign up for a regular 4 hour shift once a week or every other week for a minimum commitment of three months. Shifts are Wednesday-Sunday, 12pm-4pm in the spring, fall, and winter. In the summer (June-August), shifts are either 10am-4pm (with 30 minute lunch break), 10am-1pm, or 12pm-4pm.
At this time, we are only seeking volunteers for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for the 12pm-4pm shift (with an option to transition to a 10am-1pm or 10am-4pm shift once summer hours begin in June).
APplication instructions
To apply, please fill in the printable form (word document) linked below and email it to volunteerservices@dalnavertmuseum.ca. Applications for this round of recruitment will be considered until March 25th, 2026.
Accessibility requests and questions relating to volunteering should be directed to volunteerservices@dalnavertmuseum.ca or 204-943-2835.