Model Railroad Museum Garden Railroad Volunteer

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Garden Railroad Volunteers are in charge of preparing and running the San Diego Model Railroad Museum Garden layout including running trains and helping with any scavenger hunt questions. This is a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in history, model trains or gardening and will be under the direction of the Volunteer and Experience Coordinator.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Prep display areas around museum for opening and close

Clean and maintain the wheels and tracks of the layout and the equipment in preparation for museum guests

Interact with guests and assist with interactive elements of the garden

Water and maintain centennial garden railway, plants and structures

Understand safety policies and actively promote safe practices

Garden Railroad Volunteers receive free admission to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, a discount in the gift shop, earn free passes to hand out to friends and family (1 pass for every 25 hours of service with an annual max of 5 passes), and an invitation to the museum's annual appreciation event.

Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes

Getting Started: All volunteers interested in becoming a Garden Railroad Volunteer must complete the San Diego Model Railroad Museum's application form.

Time Commitment: Volunteer docents must train for 5 shifts then must commit to a minimum of 2 shifts per month for a minimum of 6 months. Shifts take place from 10:00am - 4:15pm, including breaks. The museum is currently open Thursday - Sunday with the potential to open additional days.

Required Skills/Experience:

An interest in garden railroads / model railroads

Ability to work well and communicate with others; Positive attitude & team player

Customer Service - an interest in interacting with families and museum guests.

Reliable, dependable, responsible, trustworthy

Physical Requirements: Ability to physically walk and stand the majority of each shift. Ability to bend, squat and lift up to 15-20 pounds. Ability to reach trains in various areas of the layout if the trains stall. Note: SDMRM is happy to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with physical limitations.

About the San Diego Model Railroad Museum

The mission of the San Diego Model Railroad Museum is to research, collect, preserve and present the heritage of American railroading using educational programs, displays, toy trains, and scale models of California railroads.