Volunteer at the Esperance Museum

Why Volunteer?

• Learn about the unique history and culture of Esperance.
• Meet people in our community as well as visitors to Esperance and share our history and culture with them.
• Keep active and engaged as a part of our community.
• Develop customer service skills, team work, communication and other workplace skills.
• Get involved with the Museum and its activities.
• Opportunity to enhance your understanding of our unique Museum collection.
• Help to develop the Museum visitor experience.
• Satisfaction of contributing your skills towards promoting the historic hub of Esperance.

What we need from you

We have a number of roles within the Museum that require a range of skills and experience. Overall we are looking for people who can contribute the following attributes:

• Friendly welcoming manner and interest in meeting new people.
• Keen interest in the Museum and local history.
• Willing to volunteer on an individual basis and as part of a team.
• Have a co-operative approach to working with staff and other volunteers.
• Have a clear understanding of the rights and responsibilities of volunteers.
• Be Honest and reliable.
• Willingness and ability to attend training and meetings.
• Willingness to have a Police Clearance.
• Have a clear understanding of the importance of feedback and how this information assists in improvements to services.
• Be comfortable with standing or sitting for periods of time as well as being comfortable in both busier and slower periods of time.
• Comply with the Shire of Esperance Policies, Management Practices and Procedures as required.

What we can provide you

While we ask for some key qualities in our volunteers, we provide training and ongoing support for all of our volunteers. Our training covers (but is not limited to):

• Induction including OSH and workplace orientation.
• Opportunity to work on interesting, unique projects.
• Supportive and friendly atmosphere.
• On the job training through shadowing a current volunteer.
• Peer support.
• Regular update and input meetings.
• OSH personal safety equipment and training.
• Equality standards.

What we ask of you:

Occupational Health and Safety

• While volunteering, take reasonable care for the health and safety of all persons who are at your place of work and who may be affected by your acts or omission whilst volunteering.
• Follow all OSH policies, procedures and practices.
• Be a team player and maintain a realistic level of workplace harmony.
• Follow policies, procedures and practices that do not discriminate against individuals in employment or education on the basis of race or ethnicity, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual preference, disability, age and religious or political affiliation.
• Observe National Privacy Principles and Privacy legislation.

Always be supportive of management policies and procedures as well as Council’s Code of Conduct.

Customer Service

• Maintain good relations with the general public and promote Council's operations in a professional manner at all times.
• Provide friendly, helpful and professional interaction with suppliers of goods and services, volunteer groups, other Council departments.
• Exercise a high level of interpersonal skills in dealing with the public and others.

Volunteer Positions

• Front of House - a key role that provides a warm and friendly welcome for visitors. Help to open and close the Museum each day we are open.
• General Volunteer - a ‘behind the scenes’ role providing assistance towards the development and implementation of exhibitions, public programs and other Museum related activities.
• Archives Volunteer - a ‘behind the scenes’ role ensuring the Archives Collection is maintained in good order through the conservation, preservation, accessioning and cataloguing of the collection.
• Objects Volunteer - a ‘behind the scenes’ role to ensure the Museum Collection is maintained in good order through the conservation, preservation, accessioning and cataloguing of the collection.
• Research Volunteer - a ‘behind the scenes’ role to undertake the basic research to answer general enquiries from the public as well as undertake the research and collection of material to improve the historical information available for public access.
• Volunteer Archivist - a primary role ensuring that the Museum Archive Collection is maintained in good order through the preservation, conservation and development of the Collection.
• Volunteer Curator - a primary role ensuring that the Museum Collection is maintained in good order through the preservation, conservation and development of the Collection.