HCSCC Volunteer Opportunities

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County would not be able to function without the generosity of our many volunteers. Our volunteers help staff our admissions desk, run our gift shop, give church tours, and assist with some of our largest events, like Pangea.

How to Apply

 Please submit a simple resume with work experience and relevant coursework and volunteer work with contact information for three references (professors who know your work ethic and academic work are good) and a letter of interest sharing what skills and traits you bring to the organization and what you hope to learn from the internship. Submit them to kevin.wander@hcsmuseum.org 

​If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Kevin Wander at kevin.wander@hcsmuseum.org.  

Minimum requirements for all HCSCC volunteers include:

• Be ready to learn
• Possess a gracious and friendly attitude
• Be able to volunteer at least 4 hours per week, minimum
• Must be able to move around the building and church at a walking pace
• Must be able to sustain a clear and understandable speaking voice

Volunteer Positions

Hopperstad Stave Church Replica Docent

Supervisor: Visitor Services

Objective: Interpret, lead tours, and provide necessary security for the Stave Church.

Responsibilities:

1. Greet visitors
2. Provide information about the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica
3. Answer questions about the Hjemkomst Viking Ship and temporary exhibits
4. Lead tours for the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica

Qualifications:

1. Ready to learn
2. Gracious and friendly attitude
3. Able to vary approach when presenting material
4. Able to volunteer  4 hours per week, minimum

Physical Qualifications:

1. Must be able to move about the building and church at a walking pace
2. Must be able to sustain a clear and understandable speaking voice

HCSCC’s Responsibilities to You:

1. Provide ample information on the history, construction, and building of the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica
2. Provide one 15 minute coffee break during your 4-hour shift
3. Provide provisions: chair, bug spray, umbrella, and reading material
4. Provide pleasant and open communication with museum staff

 
Admission Desk Cashier

Supervisor: Director of Museum Operations

Objective: Admission Desk Cashiers are responsible for assisting in the daily operation of the HCSCC Admission desk. This includes processing visitor admission and answering general questions about the museum and its exhibits.

Responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of this position is to provide guests with a positive initial experience at HCSCC. This experience is created by aiding guests with accurate exhibit and event information and assisting them in purchasing museum admission of memberships. This position is expected to work closely with all volunteers and staff of HCSCC in maintaining a superior level of guest service.  

1. Warmly greet visitors.
2. Perform museum admission sales using a tablet based system.
3. Answer basic guest questions about the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica, temporary exhibits, and upcoming events.
4. Assist in the operations of the HCSCC Admission Desk including mailings, filing, and other duties as assigned.
5. Communicate effectively with fellow co-workers and guests.
6. Accept cash, check, or credit card payments and give change with accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications:

1. Ability to develop a growing knowledge of Square Point-of-Sale program and iPad
2. Skill to handle cash responsibly and accurately
3. Gracious and friendly attitude
4. Able to volunteer 4 hours per week, minimum

Physical Qualifications:

1. Must be able to sustain a clear and understandable speaking voice

HCSCC’s Responsibilities to You:

1. Provide ample information on the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica, temporary exhibits, and upcoming events
2. Provide one 15-minute coffee break during your 4-hour shift
3. Provide provisions: chair, bug spray, umbrella, and reading material
4. Provide pleasant and open communication with museum staff

 
Gift Shop Cashier

Supervisor: Visitor Services Manager 

Objective: Gift Shop Cashiers are responsible for assisting in the daily operation of the HCSCC Heritage Gift Shop. This includes processing visitor admission and gift shop sales, answering general questions about the museum and its exhibits face-to-face or over the phone.

Responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of this position is to provide guests with a positive shopping experience at HCSCC. This experience is created by aiding guests with accurate product information and assisting them in purchasing these items. This position is expected to work closely with all volunteers and staff of HCSCC in maintaining a superior level of guest service. 

1. Warmly greet visitors.
2. Perform gift shop sales using a computer based system.
3. Perform museum admission sales using a tablet based system.
4. Answer basic guest questions about the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica, temporary exhibits, and upcoming events.
5. Answer guest questions about gift shop products.
6. Assist in the operations of the Heritage Gift shop including stocking shelves, dusting, vacuuming, attaching price tags to product, and checking in product.
7. Communicate effectively with fellow co-workers and guests.
8. Accept cash, check, or credit card payments and give change with accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications:

1. Ability to develop a growing knowledge of Square Point-of-Sale program, iPad and computer based point-of-sale program.
2. Skill to handle cash responsibly and accurately
3. Gracious and friendly attitude
4. Able to volunteer 4 hours per week, minimum

Physical Qualifications:

1. Must be able to sustain a clear and understandable speaking voice
2. Must be able to move about the gift shop at a walking pace

HCSCC’s Responsibilities to You:

1. Provide ample information on the Hjemkomst Viking Ship, the Hopperstad Stave Church Replica, temporary exhibits, and upcoming events
2. Provide you with ample training on the different point-of-sale systems
3. Provide one 15-minute coffee break during your 4-hour shift
4. Provide provisions: chair and reading material
5. Provide pleasant and open communication with museum staff
   
   

---

HCSCC Internships

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County welcomes talented college students who are looking for an opportunity to work in a museum setting. Interns will work directly with museum professionals in the areas of visitor services, public relations and marketing, educational programming, event planning, archival practices, and curatorial and collections practices.
​
All internships are unpaid. However, North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead students who are eligible for Work Study may use their award for internship work at HCSCC.
 
How to Apply

Please submit a simple resume with work experience and relevant coursework and volunteer work with contact information for three references (professors who know your work ethic and academic work are good) and a letter of interest sharing what skills and traits you bring to the organization and what you hope to learn from the internship. Submit them to kevin.wander@hcsmuseum.org


Minimum Requirements for all HCSCC interns include:

• Demonstrate an ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize
• Critical thinking skills and decision-making abilities
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Self-motivated, able to work independently, and work well with minimum supervision
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills

 
All interns will be cross trained in visitor service duties and expected to perform these duties as needed. 
 
Visitor Services

The Visitor Services intern’s primary responsibility is to assist in the day-to-day operation of the Heritage Gift Shop, admissions desk, and stave church. Duties include:

• Cash register operations
• Customer service
• Exhibit security
• Giving tours
• Keeping the exhibit spaces clean and comfortable for guests

 
The Visitor Services intern also assists museum staff with a variety of events, such as exhibition openings, school and group tours, festivals, and other special events. Interns interact with the public on a daily basis and are expected to provide visitors with information about museum facilities, collections, exhibitions, events, and programs.
 
This position is open to all majors and students of freshman through Senior standing. Please contact our Visitor Services Manager, Kevin Wander by phone at (218) 299-5511, ext. 6741 or by email at kevin.wander@hcsmuseum.org to inquire about the Visitor Services internship.
 
Archives

The Archives intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Archivist with the day-to-day operation of the HCSCC archives. Duties include:

• Assist with the preservation, research, and cataloging of HCSCC’s archival collections
• Become familiar with proper artifact and document handling and storage procedures
• Catalog and inventory collections
• Enhancement of archival metadata and digitization
• Work on special project assignments

 
This position is open to History and Public History majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Candidates must have a serious interest in working in archives or libraries. Please contact our archivist Mark Peihl by phone at (219) 299-5511, ext. 6734, or by email at mark.peihl@hcsmuseum.org to inquire about the Archives internship.
 
Curatorial

The Curatorial intern’s primary responsibility is to assist the Collections Manager and Registrar with the day-to-day collection management tasks. Duties include:

• Assist with the preservation, research, and cataloging of HCSCC’s history and artifact collections
• Become familiar with proper artifact handling and storage procedures
• Catalog and inventory collections
• Work on special project assignments

 
This position is open to History, Public History, and Cultural Anthropology majors only. Students must be of junior or senior standing. Previous coursework in public history, collections management, and experience in handling artifacts is preferred. Please contact our Collections Manager Lisa Vedaa by phone at (218) 299-5511, ext. 6735 or by email at lisa.vedaa@hcsmuseum.org for information about the Curatorial internship.
​