Giving > Volunteer
Volunteer
Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization and at the heart of everything we do.
As a non-profit organization, The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum relies on our volunteers to provide a quality experience for our guests and to help with Museum operations.
Available Opportunities
Restoration - Aircraft, Vehicle, and Artifact
Assist in maintaining and potentially restoring historic aircraft and military ground vehicles. Experienced aircraft metal workers, painters, bodyworkers and novices with mechanical aptitude are ideal participants, where additional duties may include: fabrication, installation and repair of aircraft components. All volunteers must complete an initial orientation with the restoration department. Corrosion control (cleaning) is the primary task at hand for new volunteers or those without prior experience in restoration or metal work. Training in maintenance is provided.
Minimum Requirements
Restoration volunteers should possess a background in machine shop operations, aircraft construction, wood or metal fabrication, aircraft engine construction, or aircraft maintenance. Moderate physical demands. Requires the ability to climb on stands, ladders and aircraft as well as lifting up to 20 pounds.
Training Provided
All volunteers must complete an initial orientation with the restoration department.
Duties
Washing aircraft. May evolve to include fabrication, installation and repair of aircraft components, depending on skill and aptitude.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current.
Collections Management & Archive
Volunteers for collections management will inventory and manage the Museums’ collections through accession, record keeping, documenting collections and supporting materials. These volunteers may also assist with curating exhibits that include related artifacts and draft label text. The task involves the accessioning process: processing donations to the museum’s collection (artifact and/or books): cataloging items into a database, photographing and labeling items.
Minimum Requirements
Moderate physical demands. Requires the ability to climb on stands, ladders, and lifting up to 20 pounds. Volunteers should have basic organizational abilities, word processing skills, a background in collections management and best practices.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current.
Docent (Tour Guide)
Docents serve as guides, subject-matter experts and interpreters at the museum by guiding scheduled (as well as unscheduled) tours through the Museum and restoration area, and by making themselves available for occasional evening functions and special events.
Minimum Requirements
Prospective docents should possess a background in the military, education, museum sciences, public relations, or aviation. Docents will be required to complete a training program familiarizing them with our exhibits and operations. Strong interpersonal skills with a background in public speaking and/or education and the ability to communicate information clearly and concisely. Personal traits of timeliness, reliability and diplomacy are expected. Prior military service is a plus, but not essential. Prospective volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and stand/walk for periods of up to 4 hours.
Training Provided
Volunteers will be initially trained on the basics of the museum, its components, and program/operations. Additional training may be required based on the role.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current.
Education - Program Development & Support
Education volunteers assist with the development and administration of the museum's various educational programs, including contests, lectures, events, special exhibits, aviation and aerospace training, and community outreach classes as well as occasional classroom activities in the museum’s education center.
Minimum Requirements
Experience in education or aviation – including a teaching credential and current background check is strongly desired. Prospective volunteers must be friendly, outgoing, accommodating, articulate, and passionate. Prior experience as a teacher, working with youth programs, and program development is desirable.
Training Provided
Volunteers will be initially trained on the basics of the museum, its components, and program/operations.
Commitment
TBD
Facilities
Volunteers for facilities will share in the responsibility of what is required to maintain the Museum and the restoration hangar. Work alongside a facilities manager to address building systems. General crafts experience for the Volunteers is very helpful; HVAC, electrical, painting, pressure washing, floor machines and equipment preventative maintenance.
Minimum Requirements
Moderate physical demands. Requires the ability to climb on stands, ladders, and lifting up to 50 pounds. A background in maintenance, construction, or facilities management is preferred.
Training Provided
Volunteers will be initially trained on the basics of the museum and hangar facilities, its components, and program/operations.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current.
Museum Library & Archives
Improve digital search capabilities for researchers. Reading and summarizing articles in aerospace and military aviation periodicals, creating documents in support of the library team. Includes keyword search/identification. Option to work remotely from home (must have/be willing to use personal computer with Microsoft Office or Google Suite) or work on site at the FLAM Offices in Costa Mesa, pending work station availability.
Minimum Requirements
Library & Archives volunteers should be familiar with, or have a strong interest in the United States Marine Corps, aviation history, space exploration, library science, or have a research background, with writing and computer skills. Research experience is helpful. Must be fluent in English and have a strong attention to detail.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current.
Design - Exhibit, Graphic, Animation
There is a wide range of opportunities for volunteers in design, ranging from artistic renderings to the more technical mechanical drawings and CAD/CAM. Volunteers can utilize their artistic skills to develop exhibits, as well as promotional materials, social content, brochures and flyers.
Minimum Requirements
Volunteers should have experience with InDesign, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Sketchup, or related design or modeling software.
Commitment
At least 10 hours per month is necessary to start and stay current. The option to work remotely from home or work on site at the FLAM Offices in Costa Mesa, pending work station availability. (must have/be willing to use personal computer and software)
General Application
We welcome volunteers and community members from all walks of life for special projects. Projects support the restoration, archive, administrative, marketing or development areas. If you have special skills, knowledge, or experience that you would like to share in an area not outlined, please contact us to discuss opportunities.
New Volunteers
New volunteers are required to attend a volunteer orientation and additional training may be required for specific volunteer assignments.
Once an initial offer of volunteer status has been made, a background check, including criminal record history, may be conducted for those over 18 years of age. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude someone from volunteering but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability for the assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Submit an online application here on our website. Once received, applications are reviewed to see if the applicant matches a need. If it’s a promising match, the candidate is invited to an Open House where information is given, and introductions are made. Candidates who are cleared and approved are invited to train. In many cases, training is on-the-job. In others, a formal training program of a few days to several weeks is required.
Volunteers support museum operations in many ways. See our opportunities list for current volunteer opportunities. In general, volunteers are the museum’s frontline staff, while others contribute behind-the-scenes in areas like restoration, exhibits preparation, facilities, and administrative positions.
There are opportunities for single day, one-time or episodic projects. Please join our volunteer database via our website and specify your availability. Once you have joined our database, you will receive email invitations for single day activations or special projects. The volunteer application, located on our website, is generally for individuals who are available for at least 3 consecutive months of regular participation after their training, and whose skills meet the museum’s needs at the time the application is received.
Yes. Volunteering at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum provides great team-building opportunities. We welcome corporate teams, office groups, schools, military groups, service organizations, alumni groups, associations, families, fraternities/sororities, and faith-based organizations. We can accommodate groups of 5-20 people at a time depending on the needs of the museum at the time your group is available. To schedule a group project, please contact us. For best availability, contact us at least a month in advance. Please allow us at least 48 hours to reply to your message.
Most full-time volunteers wear a uniform that corresponds with the department or area in which they volunteer. Group project volunteers wear clothing they do not mind getting dirty. Closed-toe shoes with a solid grip are recommended for all volunteers. If you are volunteering at Hangar 297, we recommend wearing comfortable, weather appropriate clothing that you will not mind getting dirty.