Volunteer
Volunteers play a crucial role in fulfilling our mission and bring skill sets that are as diverse as New York City itself. Below you will find opportunities to give back by putting your talents to good use in both public-facing and office-based volunteer positions.
Courteous people with excellent communication skills are encouraged to help in our public-facing opportunities, ensuring visitors have an enriching experience at the Memorial and Museum. Office-based opportunities provide vital support to our behind-the-scenes work. Our volunteers range in age from 16 to 86 and bring a wide range of life skills to the organization. For questions about becoming a volunteer, send an e-mail to volunteer@911memorial.org.
Video: Volunteering at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Summer 2023 Opportunities
Retail Greeters
Summer retail volunteers assist staff in the Museum Store and at the Retail carts on the Memorial during this busy time. As a volunteer, you will greet visitors, provide helpful information about products, and share the stories behind them as they connect to Museum themes like recovery efforts and remembrance. We recommend summer volunteers work two four-hour shifts per week for 2-3 months. We request that our volunteers do not to miss more than two shifts in the summer.
Visitor Services
Summer visitor services volunteers assist by proactively greeting visitors and answering questions. They inform visitors about the programs and exhibitions available inside the Museum, and assist with directing visitor queues and pathways. This role is based in the Museum and on the outdoor Memorial. We recommend summer volunteers work two four-hour shifts per week for 2-3 months. We request that our volunteers do not to miss more than two shifts in the summer.
Year-Round Opportunities
Visitor Services Volunteers
Volunteers in Visitor Services enhance the visitor experience by proactively greeting and answering questions. They inform visitors about the programs and exhibitions available inside the Museum, and assist with directing visitor queues and pathways. This role is based in the Museum and on the outdoor Memorial.
Retail Greeter Volunteers
Volunteers assist at our Museum Store and outdoors on the retail-information cart on the Memorial plaza. Volunteers greet visitors and provide helpful information that enhances their visit, including information on how products link to exhibition themes in the Museum.
Museum Docents
Volunteer docents provide interpretative services to visitors through short talks at key artifacts throughout the Museum that tell the history of 9/11 and the original World Trade Center. Our extensive training totals 60 to 70 hours over a four-month period. Docent training is held once a year and we don’t currently have a session planned. Please complete an application form to be included on the waitlist.
Office-Based Positions
We do not currently have any office-based volunteer positions, but please consider a public-facing opportunity.
Requirements
Time Commitment
Volunteers generally pledge four hours a week for at least six months. Museum docents are expected to volunteer for a year, unless noted otherwise. If volunteering weekends in the Museum, the minimum time commitment is a four-hour shift every other week. Longer terms of service are encouraged and appreciated.
Eligibility
Volunteer positions are open to all individuals who meet the expectations outlined, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old and agree to a background check conducted by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Selection Process
All potential volunteers must complete an application including an informal interview, supply two verifiable references, and pass a background check. All volunteers are expected to complete training before their service begins.
For questions about becoming a volunteer, email volunteer@911memorial.org.
Become a Volunteer
Officially Recognized as an "Service Enterprise Organization" by Points of Light
A Service Enterprise is an organization that strategically leverages volunteers to achieve operational efficiency and greater social impact, according to Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, which was was founded more than 25 years ago by President George H.W. Bush. Service Enterprises are among the top 11 percent of nonprofits in the country in volunteer management and organizational performance.
Volunteer Combines Experience as a Librarian, Museum Docent
For Candace Stuart, who has worked as a volunteer in the Museum’s docent program, her curiosity about 9/11 began right after that tragic day.
Volunteer Expresses Pride in Working at Museum
After moving to New York from Columbus, Ohio, in 2011 to attend culinary school, Mark Morrow visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum shortly following its May 2014 opening.
