Volunteer Positions

National Pinball Museum (NPM) was established to move the pinball experience beyond collectors and enthusiasts to allow the general public to enjoy the rich art and history of this true American pastime for generations to come. We are working toward this goal by providing cultural, educational and entertaining programs in a fun, accessible, family-friendly space that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. NPM has an immediate and ongoing need for volunteers to support our work.

PDF of All the Volunteer Positions Available >>

Complete the Volunteer Application Form >>

Docents at NPM help create engaging and memorable learning experiences for our visitors by hosting guided tours of exhibits, as well as special demonstrations.  Docents not only work to bring the 140-year history of pinball to life for visitors, but also aide in the presentation of historical facts about pinball to enrich our exhibits and educational programs, maintaining appearance of exhibit spaces, assisting visitors, and performing other duties as assigned.

Expectations
We ask volunteers to make a minimum six-month commitment to the Museum.  During that time, you will be required to volunteer a minimum of eight hours each month, and can complete your hours during any shift that works with your schedule and availability: Thursdays or Fridays, 2 – 7 pm; Saturdays, 10 am – 7 pm; and Sundays, 12 – 5 pm. You must work two or more hours for each shift you select, and will be required to attend one Docent meeting every quarter.

Benefits
As a volunteer, you will not receive a salary or stipend; however, you will receive several volunteer appreciation gifts including NPM’s quarterly newsletter TILT, invitations to special events at NPM, discounts on admissions, workshops and merchandise, and one hour of play time in our Pinhead Gallery for every two hours of volunteer service at the Museum. More importantly, you will play a key role in preserving pinball as a permanent record of American history.

Training
Docents are required to complete a cumulative 8-hour orientation that includes script and exhibit training, and shadowing other Docents and the Museum’s Curator on guided tours.  Customer service training will also be provided.

Requirements
You must be flexible, dependable, must be able to stand for duration of their shift, lift up to 50 lbs and interested in working with diverse groups of people. Volunteers must pass a background screening. Previous work or volunteer experience at a cultural organization is desired but not mandatory.

Maintenance Volunteersat NPM help create memorable experiences for our patrons by maintaining the games, exhibits and facilities within the Museum. Maintenance volunteers help clean playfields, plastics, etc. in the pinball games. Volunteers may be called upon to help clean and maintain exhibits as well as other Museum items.

Expectations
We ask Maintenance volunteers to make a minimum six-month commitment to the Museum.  During that time, you will be required to volunteer a minimum of eight hours each month, and can complete your hours during any shift that works with your schedule and availability: Mondays 10 – 5 pm; Tuesdays 10 am – 3 pm; Thursdays 10 am – 1 pm; Fridays, 12 – 1:30 pm; Saturdays, 10 am – 2 pm; and Sundays, 12 – 3 pm. You must work two or more hours for each shift you select, and will be required to attend one Maintenance meeting every quarter.

Benefits
As a volunteer, you will not receive a salary or stipend; however, you will receive several volunteer appreciation gifts including NPM’s quarterly newsletter TILT, invitations to special events at NPM, discounts on admissions, workshops and merchandise, and one hour of play time in our Pinhead Gallery for every two hours of volunteer service at the Museum. More importantly, you will play a key role in preserving pinball as a permanent record of American history.

Training
Docents are required to complete three two-hour orientation sessions that include training in cleaning pinball machines, including the playfield, plastics, rubbers and balls. Volunteers will also be instructed on the proper method of maintaining exhibits and customer service training may be provided.

Requirements
You must be flexible, dependable, efficient, able to follow directions, able to lift at least 50 lbs, and interested in working with diverse groups of people. Volunteers must pass a background screening. Previous work or volunteer experience at a cultural organization is desired but not mandatory.

Technicians at NPM provide installation, routine maintenance and technical troubleshooting for pinball machines. They may also be called upon to move and set up pinball machines and exhibits and provide on-site supervision and technical assistance for private parties, special events and tournaments. There are three levels of Technician volunteers:

• Beginners - works only on electro-mechanical games.
• Intermediates - do some work on solid state games
• Experienced - able to work on either

Expectations
We ask Technicians to make a minimum six-month commitment to the Museum.  During that time, you will be required to volunteer a minimum of eight hours each month, and can complete your hours during any shift that works with your schedule and availability: Mondays 10 – 5 pm; Tuesdays 10 am – 3 pm; Thursdays or Fridays, 2 – 7 pm; Saturdays, 10 am – 7 pm; and Sundays, 12 – 5 pm. You must work two or more hours for each shift you select, and will be required to attend one Technician meeting every quarter.

Benefits
As a volunteer, you will not receive a salary or stipend; however, you will receive several volunteer appreciation gifts including NPM’s quarterly newsletter TILT, invitations to special events at NPM, discounts on admissions, workshops and merchandise, and one hour of play time in our Pinhead Gallery for every two hours of volunteer service at the Museum. More importantly, you will play a key role in preserving pinball as a permanent record of American history.

Training
Technicians are required to complete a cumulative 10-hour orientation whose itinerary will depend on entering skill level. It may include introduction to internal workings of the machines, how to care for them, or instruction from a technician professional.

Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, be flexible, dependable, patient, willing to get dirty and interested in working with diverse groups of people. Technicians must have a background in the workings of a pinball machine. Volunteers must pass a background screening. Previous work or volunteer experience at a cultural organization is desired but not mandatory.

NPM Administrative Support volunteers will provide administrative support needed to execute administrative, financial and communications and marketing functions. 

Expectations
We ask Support Staff to make a minimum six-month commitment to the Museum.  During that time, you will be required to volunteer a minimum of eight hours each month, and can complete your hours during any shift that works with your schedule and availability. Shifts range Monday and Tuesday 10 am – 4 pm, Thursday and Friday 12 - 7 pm. You must work two or more hours for each shift you select, and will be required to attend one volunteer meeting every quarter.

Rewards
As a volunteer, you will not receive a salary or stipend; however, you will receive several volunteer appreciation gifts including NPM’s quarterly newsletter TILT, invitations to special events at NPM, discounts on admissions, workshops and merchandise, andone hour of play time in our Pinhead Gallery for every two hours of volunteer service at the Museum. More importantly, you will play a key role in preserving pinball as a permanent record of American history.

Training
Support Staff are required to complete training course that will include but not limited to script and exhibition training.  Possible customer service training may also be needed.

Requirements
You must be flexible, dependable and with people of all age groups and backgrounds, willing to learn and dependable. Volunteers must pass a background screening. Previous work or volunteer experience at a cultural organization is desired but not mandatory.

To apply, fill out our online application here and return your completed application by mail or email to:

Kyle Lawson
National Pinball Museum
608 Water Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

(443) 438-1241
[email protected]