Volunteer
Whether you can give a few days a year or a few hours each week, your contribution will help this American estate to thrive. And few organizations offer such a wide variety of volunteer opportunities! Volunteer hours provide Maymont with the equivalent of 11 full-time staff members. They are an integral part of our organization and serve in a number of capacities. Time commitments vary; special events volunteers may work only one or two days a year, while other volunteers work several hours a month. Meet some of Maymont's volunteers.
Opportunities
Animal Keeper
The job of keeping Maymont’s animals happy and healthy is not for the faint of heart, but if you don’t mind getting a little dirty, this is a very gratifying job. Maymont is home to hundreds of animals, some of whom are orphaned or injured. Volunteers learn assist with native Virginia animals care. Please note animal keepers have very little contact with the animals themselves.
- Minimum Age: 18 years and older
- Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month for three months, shifts are 9am-12pm, Monday-Sunday
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability listen to and follow specific instructions, good communication skills, willingness to get dirty, able to bend, lift, and stand for an entire shift, comfortable with public speaking, able to care for animals without “play time” with them
- Training: Mandatory orientation held on the first Sunday of each month. Email our Volunteer Coordinator to sign up.
Farm Interpreter
Help supervise activity in the barn and provide information about the animals to the public. This is a vital position, helping to ensure the safety of both the animals and guests, as well as providing a pleasant visitor experience.
- Minimum Age: 16 years and older
- Time Commitment: At least two shifts per month for a minimum of three months. Shifts available Monday-Sunday from 1-3pm or 2-5pm.
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability to listen and follow instructions, excellent communication skills, comfortable with public speaking, outgoing and engaging personality, comfortable being around a variety of animals, ability to work independently
- Training: Mandatory orientation provided. (Any interested volunteer under the age of 18 must meet with the Volunteer Coordinator prior to orientation.)
Carriage Collections Volunteer
Maymont’s Carriage Collection includes unique commercial and special-use vehicles, including a horse-drawn hearse, several toy and children’s vehicles, and a Thalhimer delivery wagon used by the historic Richmond department store in the 1890s. Carriage horses offer rides to the public and are stars among Maymont’s animal collection. Holiday programs and other festive events would not be the same without their pretty faces and hard work, giving rides for the enjoyment of Maymont’s guests. Carriage volunteers greet guests, provide information about Maymont, help maintain the carriages, groom horses, and assist with public rides.
- Minimum Age: 18 years and older
- Time Commitment: Flexible, mainly weekends and some Tuesdays and Fridays
- Skills/Qualifications: Significant experience with horses, comfortable with public speaking, ability to listen to and follow instructions
Estate Greeter (March-October)
Maymont is a 100-acre estate featuring a Gilded Age mansion, gardens, animal habitats, and a nature center. In order to help guests navigate the numerous attractions, we are in search of outgoing, friendly, and reliable volunteers to welcome guests to the estate. Greeters will engage guests to share basic information about the layout, offerings, and respectful use of Maymont.
- Minimum Age: All ages
- Time Commitment: At least one shift per month for three months, shifts are flexible
- Skills/Qualifications: Excellent communication skills, ability to work outdoors while standing for the entire shift, outgoing, friendly, and reliable
- Training: An orientation and quiz are offered online. Upon completion, volunteers will meet the Guest Services Manager to get started.
Gardener
Like playing in the dirt? Maymont’s small team of professional horticulturists needs your help to maintain the estate’s 100 acres. Garden volunteers can be found pruning, raking, planting, shoveling and weeding their way through the day, all to make Maymont’s grounds and gardens more beautiful. No experience is necessary, we’ll teach you as you go!
- Minimum Age: 18 years or older
- Time Commitment: Shifts are available from 8:30am-12pm, 12:30-4:30pm, or 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (no weekends)
- Skills/Qualifications: Ability to perform outdoor physical labor
- Training: Volunteers will learn on the job while working side by side with our horticulturalists.
Mansion Docent Aide
Maymont Mansion volunteers are immersed in the Gilded Age. Volunteers enjoy learning, and teaching others, about Major and Mrs. Dooley, their grand home and much more. Maymont Docent Aides greet guests and provide general information about Maymont, the Dooleys, and the Victorian Era.
- Minimum Age: 18 years or older
- Time Commitment: A minimum of one three-hour shift (1-4pm) per month, primarily on the weekends; attendance at docent meetings and workshops
- Skills/Qualifications: Good communication skills, comfortable with public speaking, interest/background in history or art
- Training: Provided on an ongoing basis
Environmental Education
Work alongside our top-notch team of environmental educators by engaging guests in learning about native Virginia wildlife in The Robins Nature Center and out on the grounds. Education volunteers are an integral part of providing accurate information and delightful experiences to all those who come to Maymont’s 100 acres.
- Minimum Age: 15 years or older
- Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per month
- Skills/Qualifications: Interest in environmental education, good communication skills, comfortable speaking in public, ability to stand for an extended period of time
- Training: Mandatory orientation provided.
Office Assistants
A lot of work goes into operating Maymont’s 100 acres, and some of it happens behind a desk! Office assistants help a variety of departments, including Accounting, Special Events, Development, and Environmental Education. Tasks can range from filing and data entry to craft and event preparations. Whether you are looking for a crafty, hands-on position or something clerical, we have a task for you.
- Minimum Age: 18 or older
- Time Commitment: Varies by department
- Skills/Qualifications: May vary by department; must be detail-oriented, organized, punctual, responsible and have good time management skills
- Training: Provided on the job
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
Junior Naturalist (Ages 15-18)
Junior Naturalists assist in teaching younger campers about our natural environment while gaining great experience in the environmental science field and leadership skills. Earn volunteer hours while working with animals, leading stories and lessons, and preparing crafts, activities, and experiments.
Volunteers must commit to attending a training session and volunteering at least three morning camps or two full day camps. Camps occur at various times May through August and volunteers will be able to choose which camps and days they will attend. Detailed information and instruction will be provided at the training session.
Interested students must submit a volunteer application, a one page cover letter detailing why they are interested in this program as well as why they would be a good fit for the program, and one reference letter from a teacher, employer or other volunteer supervisor.
Estate Greeter (March-October)
Maymont is a 100-acre estate featuring a Gilded Age mansion, gardens, animal habitats, and a nature center. In order to help guests navigate the numerous attractions, we are in search of outgoing, friendly, and reliable volunteers to welcome guests to the estate. Greeters will engage guests to share basic information about the layout, offerings, and respectful use of Maymont.
- Minimum age: All ages
- Time Commitment: At least one shift per month for three months, shifts are flexible
- Skills/Qualifications needed: Excellent communication skills, ability to work outdoors while standing for the entire shift, outgoing, friendly, and reliable.
- Training: An orientation and quiz are offered online. Upon completion, volunteers will meet the Guest Services Manager to get started.
Teen Volunteers
Seasonal and ongoing positions are available as Environmental Education helpers, Estate Greeters, Easter Youth Leaders, and Junior Naturalists in our summer camps.
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
Corporate and community groups play an enormous role in supporting Maymont. Groups of volunteers staff activities at Dominion Energy Family Easter, clean algae from the pond, sell plants at Herbs Galore & More, and even remove invasive plants from the bear habitat! If your group is interested in volunteering with us, email our Volunteer Coordinator to learn about what opportunities we have available.
Gardener
Like playing in the dirt? Maymont’s small team of professional horticulturists needs your help to maintain the estate’s 100 acres. Garden volunteers can be found pruning, raking, planting, shoveling and weeding their way through the day, all to make Maymont’s grounds and gardens more beautiful. No experience is necessary, we’ll teach you as you go!
- Minimum age: 18 years or older
- Time Commitment: Shifts are available from 8:30am-12pm, 12:30-4:30pm, or 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (no weekends)
- Skills/Qualifications needed: Ability to perform outdoor physical labor
- Training: Volunteers will learn on the job while working side by side with our horticulturalists.
To apply, complete our online volunteer application. Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 804-358-7166, ext. 327.
Maymont offers a variety of events throughout the year, with appropriate COVID-safe regulations currently in place. Keep an eye on our website, Facebook and Twitter for updates.