Volunteers

San Diego Automotive Museum Volunteer Program

The San Diego Automotive Museum staff is a very harmonious team of motivated and positive people, comprised of a small core of paid employees and a large group of wonderful volunteers. We are looking for more amazing people – like you – to join our volunteer team, share our passion for cars, educate, entertain, and interact with our guests, and so much more.

We ask our volunteers to have a healthy team spirit, enjoy working with the public, be at least 16 years of age, and be willing to participate with a regular commitment. If this is you, then please join our team!                           

Sorry, our volunteer positions are not designed to meet community service requirements.  The Museum does not participate in Visa Acquisitions.  

 

Docent

All San Diego Automotive Volunteers must complete 20 hours as a museum docent before training in other departments. This does not apply to Party in the Park volunteers.

Our museum docents are volunteers who serve as guides and ambassadors for guests that visit the museum. Our docents welcome everyone in a personal and professional manner, engage visitors in conversation about the vehicles and items in our collection, answer questions about our historical museum, and enhance the guests' overall experience.

  • This is an ongoing position.
  • Docents work each day the museum is open (Tuesday-Sunday) morning and afternoon shifts; you can commit to a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Training is provided.

Tour Docent

Tour docents provide guided tours of the museum, including schools and colleges, tourist groups, sponsors and donors, and more. These volunteers receive additional training in the art of handling larger groups, plus spend time in San Diego Automotive Museum classes learning about the social and technological past, present, and future of the automobile.

  • This is an ongoing position.
  • Schedule is organized by the museum staff, as needed.
  • Training is provided.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age 
  • Pre-requisite: Minimum 20 hours as a docent volunteer.

Detailer

A detailer volunteer gets up close and personal with our vehicles and exhibits like no one else. After undergoing specialized training in vehicle detailing, this select team of volunteers keeps what the public comes to see in pristine condition.

  • This is an ongoing position.
  • Detailers work on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Training is provided.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
  • Pre-requisite: Minimum 20 hours as a docent volunteer.

Library:

The San Diego Automotive Museum is home to an extensive research library, comprised of an outstanding collection of books, repair manuals, and other publications. This is a reading/research library, books are not checked out. The library staff is all volunteers.

  • These are ongoing positions.
  • Library volunteers work each day the museum is open (Tuesday-Sunday) morning and afternoon shifts. Library volunteers must commit to 1 shift per week in the library. 

   Library Desk Volunteer

  • Greet guests as they enter
  • Watch the library and its guests
  • Access library database to search book locations for guests
  • Make sure no books leave the library
  • Training is provided
  • Must be at least 16 years of age

   Librarian

  • Scan books ISBN numbers
  • Organize books by Dewey decimal number and author
  • Find any stray books that are outside of their section
  • Training is provided.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Additional training is required

Restoration Center

The museum maintains a storage center in National City to repair and maintain our off-exhibit vehicle collection. Our storage center volunteers have a varied level of experience, from expert mechanics to those with little or no experience – all with a true willingness to learn and apply labor and organization to a project.

  • This is an ongoing position.
  • Restoration center volunteers work on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Training is provided.
  • Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
  • Pre-requisite: Minimum 20 hours as a docent volunteer.

Staff Assistance

There are several areas where volunteers assist our administration team with specific tasks.

  • These can be ongoing projects or one-time assignments.

Outside Promotion Volunteer

Our team promotes the museum to the San Diego community at local events, including shows, clubs, cruises, and parades. Volunteers play a big part in this process and are a great help in promoting the museum, sharing our mission, arranging for donations of vehicles and artifacts, and recruiting other volunteers.

  • Outside events are often coordinated through the museum staff.
  • Volunteers who qualify may sign up as opportunities become available.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age (with parental consent) 
  • Pre-requisite: Minimum 20 hours as a docent volunteer.

How to Apply

If you are interested in any of these amazing opportunities, click below to fill out an application online, or contact us to request an application.

Apply here!

We hope to see you soon!