Ute Indian Museum Volunteer Opportunities

Experience one of the most complete collections of Ute Indian artifacts in the nation. Dioramas, changing exhibits, and hands-on programs bring American Indian history and culture to life.

AmeriCorps 2020/2021 Program

History Colorado is seeking applicants for the K2H Civic Futures AmeriCorps Program to help expand educational opportunities for Colorado students through the agency’s museums statewide. The K2H Americorps program supports civic learning and engagement programs in K-12 or community-based sites.

Application for AmeriCorps is open until positions are filled.

Education & Summer Camp Program Facilitator

Stipend: This is a unique and rare opportunity to work and learn under both categories of activities for AmeriCorps members - Direct Service and Capacity Building - for the Ute Indian Museum (UIM) in Montrose, Colorado. As a K2H Civic Futures Mentor, this 900 hour part time, full year volunteer positions receive a living stipend of $7,000 and an education award of ~$3,000 upon successful completion of the program.

The Education & Summer Camp Program Facilitator (ESCPM) supports the Museum’s mission by facilitating special learning experiences for campers that foster and embrace experiential learning as a way of knowing and exploring the world.

400 hours - The Ute Indian Museum offers one-week, 3-day, hands-on camps for children age 6 through 12 that run June 7 - June 30 & July 19 - August 11, 2021. The ESCPM is responsible for managing day-to-day camp activities during camp season.

500 hours - The ESCPM will also be responsible for tours to the Shavano Rock Art Site. The Shavano Valley Petroglyph site is 5.5 miles west of Montrose and the Museum. The petroglyphs show a long period of occupation starting with the Archaic hunter-gatherers (1000 BC to AD 1700), to the Historic Ute (AD 1600 to 1881). The ESCPM will lead interpretive educational tours to the sight as part of their role. Following the summer camp season, the ESCPM’s duties will revert to school tours, both virtual and in person, and will help in the development and delivery of new education programs.

This position is 900 hours, part-time, between 18-30 hours per week with required Sunday-Wednesday availability.

Responsibilities:

Lead hands-on informal programs for all camp groups
Work closely with Education Director, Summer Camp Assistant and full-time Museum staff to prepare and present programs
Maintain safety and well-being for up to 10 campers at a time
Maintain COVID regulations and safety protocol
General materials management
Design and scheduling of individual camp programs
Set up activities and clean up spaces before and after camp day
Monitor program supplies and request replenishments when needed
Facilitate afternoon or morning curbside pickup
Facilitate Shavano Tours
Work with Education Director to develop and deliver educational programing
Additional duties as assigned

Preferred Skills:

Previous experience teaching in a formal or informal education setting
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure with a positive attitude and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate with and engage campers aged K-6th
Experience delivering programs to adults and children
Interest in or experience with archaeology
Must be able to be on their feet for up to 6 hours at a time, walk distances of up to one mile over varying terrains, be able to lift 25 pounds
Ability to work outside in heat; camps and tours occur in an outdoor area and many camps spend time outdoors.

Summer Camp Program Assistant

This is a direct service AmeriCorps member role for the Ute Indian Museum (UIM) in Montrose, Colorado. As a K2H Civic Futures Coach, this 300-hour position has the opportunity to receive an education award of ~$1,300 upon successful completion of the program.

The Summer Camp Program Assistant supports the Museum’s mission by facilitating special learning experiences for campers that foster and embrace experiential learning as a way of knowing and exploring the world.

The Ute Indian Museum offers one-week, 3-day, hands-on camps for children age 6 through 12 that run June 7 - June 30 & July 19 - August 11, 2021.

This position is seasonal, 300 hour, part-time, between 18-30 hours per week with required Monday-Wednesday availability. The Summer Camp Program Assistant must be available for at least 13 weeks between May 24 and August 13 and training days.

Responsibilities:

Lead hands-on informal programs for all camp groups
Work closely with Education Director, Camp Facilitator, and full-time Museum staff to prepare and present programs
Maintain safety and well-being for up to 10 campers at a time
Maintain COVID regulations and safety protocol
General materials management
Design and scheduling of individual camp programs
Set up activities and clean up spaces before and after camp day
Monitor program supplies and request replenishments when needed
Facilitate afternoon or morning curbside pickup
Additional duties as assigned

Preferred Skills:

Previous experience teaching in a formal or informal education setting
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure with a positive attitude and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate with and engage campers aged K-6th
Must be able to be on their feet for up to 6 hours at a time, walk distances of up to one mile over varying terrains, be able to lift 25 pounds
Ability to work outside in heat; camps occur in an outdoor classroom and many camps spend time outdoors.

Kids Camps Required Dates and Times

Monday to Wednesday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
June 7-9th, 14-16th, 21-23rd, 28-30th
July 19-21st, 26-28th
August 2-4th, 9-11th

300 hour part time seasonal positons receive a $1300 education award upon successful completion of the program.

Ute Garden and Naturescape Assistant

The Ute Garden Assistant supports the Museum’s mission by facilitating special learning experiences for our Native Plant Garden and our nationally registered historic site. The restored Ute Garden provides Hands-on History locations for visitors to learn ethnobotany and provides tribal education and coursework opportunities. The Ute Garden Assistant will learn ethnobotany and grounds management skills while helping the Ute Garden to build sustainability and educational resources. This role will also assist in the development of our new Naturescape park and outdoor education center. The Ute Garden Assistant will help develop the educational literature that will be on panels throughout the park as well as help develop and deliver the education program for our historic preservation dig site.

Must enjoy outdoor work in sun and shade while learning about native plants, be able to lift at least 50 pounds, and handle a wheelbarrow. Activities include weeding native plant garden, watering and alerting staff if irrigation system is not working, general raking, cleanup of area daily, and acting as a docent for people who visit the garden. Naturescape duties will include researching archaeological theory and practice and development of the educational plan for the Naturescape park.

This position is 900 hours, part-time, between 18-30 hours per week with flexible scheduling.

Responsibilities:

Work closely with Maintenance Director, Garden team, and full-time Museum staff
Inventory plants and determine which should be replaced and which need more intensive care
Help the Ute Garden team establish and implement a care and maintenance schedule
Plant and install native plants
Help develop garden and Naturescape programing and tours
Working with our partners, help develop and write the educational panels to be found throughout the Naturescape Park
Develop educational resources to promote the garden and build sustainability
Work with garden centers to grow and order native species for the sustainability of the Ute Garden and continued propagation of native species

Preferred Skills:

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to communicate with and engage campers aged K-6th
Experience delivering programs to adults and children
Interest in or experience with archaeology
Must be able to be on their feet for up to 6 hours at a time, walk distances of up to one mile over varying terrains, be able to lift 50 pounds
Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure with a positive attitude and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to work outside in heat
900 hour part time, full year positions receive a living stipend of $7,000 and an education award of ~$3,000 upon successful completion of the program.