Description

Museum guides at both museums tell the story of local hard rock mining using the museums' artifacts and act as hosts. Assay offices, where miners learned what their find was worth, were vital to mining communities. 

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Speak to a wide range of ages, including families and seniors
• Prepare museum for opening and closing, including light cleaning
• Possibly research mining topics for exhibition development and/or artifact cataloguing
• Lead occasional group tours requested ahead of time
• Yard care/pulling weeds, as needed (at AOM)

Requirements and Qualifications

• Must be at least 15 years old (volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts)
• Passionate about local history
• At the AOM:  Prepare museum for opening or closing, including light cleaning
• Knowledge or interest in mining, geology, metallurgy, or related field
• Customer service experience and a desire to work with the public
• Comfortable speaking to a wide range of ages and audiences
• Computer, tablet, or a smart phone are required for scheduling and recording volunteer hours and for easier communication with staff and volunteer colleaguesComputer, tablet, or a smart phone are required for scheduling and recording volunteer hours and for easier communication with staff and volunteer colleagues
• Must have personal transportation, keeping in mind that the RTD bus route stops near the Nederland Mining Museum
• Pass background check

We ask volunteers to commit to an introductory training that is virtual for about 3 hours and then about the same amount of in-person training. After that, there may be a yearly 1-2 hour training as a refresher. 

Annual Volunteer Commitment:

Assay Office Museum

We ask that each volunteer staff the Assay Office Museum (open May through October, on the third Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) at least three shifts per year. 

Nederland Mining Museum

We ask that each volunteer volunteer at the museum at least two half day shifts per month during the museum’s season (June-October).

Waiver of Liability

In return for receiving permission from Boulder County Parks and Open Space (“BCPOS”) to allow me to volunteer for BCPOS and after due consideration of my age, health, physical condition, and ability, and the inherent risks and personal risks involved in this activity, I voluntarily agree to assume all risks of loss that arise out of my participation and agree to waive any and all claims against Boulder County and other parties described below.

I hereby release, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Boulder County, the Board of County Commissioners and any of their respective employees, agents and representatives, person or property, whether anticipated or unanticipated, from liability for any injury, loss or damage resulting from my participation in any activities contemplated by this agreement, whether such damage, loss, or injury results from the negligence of Boulder County, the Board of County Commissioners, and any of the agents, representatives, officers, employees, successors, assigns, administrators, and executors.

I realize that working on this program/project may involve risks and hazards, including the risk of injury. I am aware of the risks and hazards inherent in participating and do hereby assume sole responsibility for all such risks and waive all claims against Boulder County and their respective agents, representatives, officers, employees, successors, assigns and insurers.

I grant Boulder County permission to use my likeness in photograph(s) or video, in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, including public website publication, and social media channels, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by Boulder County, in perpetuity, and for other use by the County. I will make no monetary claim or other claim against Boulder County for the use of my likeness in the photograph(s)/video. I understand that the nature of digital media on the Internet makes duplication difficult to control and that Boulder County is not responsible for any unauthorized use by third parties of the content and images published on its public website.

I authorize Boulder County to obtain medical attention for me in case of emergency if unable to reach the physician stated below, and I release Boulder County for such medical attention.

I certify that my vehicle will have insurance coverage as required by Colorado law in connection with my activities on Boulder County property.

I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of Boulder County while participating on this program/project. I hereby acknowledge that I have read, understood and voluntarily agreed to the foregoing waiver and release agreement.