Career Opportunities
New Bedford Whaling Museum is committed to diversity among its employees and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
All applicants must submit an application for employment along with their resume and cover letter and follow the “To Apply” instructions noted in job openings below.
Museum Careers
Collections & Museum Learning Assistant
(Full-time, hourly, non-exempt)
Salary range: $38,000-$39,500 ($18.27-19/hour)
Reporting directly to the Chief Curator, the Collections & Museum Learning Assistant plays a critical administrative role supporting the successful operation of the Curatorial, Collections, and Museum Learning areas and fulfilling the diverse administrative needs of a fast-paced department at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The Department Assistant maintains an essential administrative load and acts as department liaison to all staff and appropriate members of the public, monitors galleries daily, maintains interactive and in-gallery engagement areas, and performs other general duties as assigned.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Visitor Experience Associate
This is a part-time non- exempt role that guarantees a minimum of 24 hours of work per week, with the potential to work up to 32 hours. Ability to work at least one consistent weekend day as well as occasional evening and some holidays is required. Schedules are published monthly.
Salary range: $16.00 per hour
The Visitor Experience Associate serves as the public face of the New Bedford Whaling Museum and is integral to fulfilling the Museum’s strategic goal of providing all guests with a welcoming and engaging experience. On a day-to-day basis, the Visitor Experience Associate is responsible for greeting and orienting visitors, generating revenue through admission, theater, and store sales, providing guests with information about the museum and local area, and assisting with initiatives to better understand our visitors. Success in this position requires a confident and outgoing disposition, attention to detail, prompt and reliable attendance, and an enthusiasm for working with the public.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Apprenticeship Program
Summer Program Associate - Temporary Summer Position
$16 per hour
The Summer Program Associate will report directly to the Manager of Young Adult Programs and must be available for planning meetings after June 8th. The Summer Program Associate’s regular schedule will start June 27th and will typically be Monday - Thursday 8 am - 4 pm, with the possibility of a weekend or evening event or extended field trip day. The Summer Program Associate will earn $16/hour paid bi-weekly. The summer program ends on Thursday, August 13th, 2026.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Museum Tour Coordinator
(Part-Time, Non-Exempt)
Pay range: $16.00-$17.00/hour
The Museum Tour Coordinator supports the booking, organization, and delivery of museum learning programs for students and adults. This includes approximately 10,000 K-12 and college students annually and specialty groups. Reporting to the Associate Director of Museum Learning and working closely with educators, students, adult learners, and staff in various departments, the Museum Tour Coordinator manages booking inquiries, scheduling, administrative details, and logistics for student field trips and adult guided tours from start to finish. This individual demonstrates outstanding customer service, a solutions-oriented mindset, and a proactive sales approach that prizes positive visitor experiences on a daily basis. This is a part-time position of 25 hours per week, and a Monday-Friday, 8:30-1:30pm schedule.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Volunteer Program Coordinator
(Part-Time, Non-Exempt)
Pay range: $16.00-$17.00/hour
The Volunteer Program Coordinator supports the smooth operation of the volunteer program, including coordinating communication, recruitment, interviewing and onboarding logistics, monthly meetings, weekly scheduling, and relationship building. The volunteer corps consists of approximately 125 individuals, who offer direct engagement opportunities for visitors and facilitate K-12 school group programming, among other roles. Reporting to the Associate Director of Museum Learning and working closely with the volunteers, as well as students and staff in various departments, the Volunteer Program Coordinator demonstrates outstanding customer service, a solutions-oriented mindset, and authenticity in relationship building to ensure a successful volunteer and visitor experience at the Museum. This is a part-time position of 20 hours per week, and an alternating Monday-Friday/Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30-12:30pm schedule.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Events Sales & Operations Lead (Part-Time)
Reporting to the Director of Public Programs & Private Events, the Events Sales & Operations Lead is a key operational and client-facing role responsible for the successful coordination and execution of private rentals and institutional events.
This position serves as the primary point of contact for event clients and acts as the central connector between internal teams, vendors, and Museum operations. The role is designed to take ownership of day-to-day event logistics, problem-solving, and front-of-house coordination—ensuring a high standard of service while allowing the Director to focus on strategy, partnerships, and program development.
This is a hands-on role that requires sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to lead event execution independently. Flexibility is essential, as the position includes evening and weekend hours based on event schedules.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here.
Art Handler / Object Preparator / Installation Technician
Contract work on a temporary project basis
Hourly Rate: $15-50/hour, dependent on experience
The New Bedford Whaling Museum seeks contract Art Handlers / Object Preparators / Installation technicians to work on a short-term contract basis for project-based timelines. They will assist in all aspects of preparation, packing, transporting, installation, deinstallation, and storage of works for the museum. The ideal candidate understands that the safety and security of artworks and of fellow team members is critical. This position will move and install valuable art objects in various locations; pack and unpack objects, maintain collections storage areas to ensure the safety of the art; create custom crate interiors for outgoing loans, frame and unframe two-dimensional works, and perform other miscellaneous art handling duties as required. They work closely with curators and other department staff, under the direction of the Chief Curator and the Associate Curator of Exhibitions and Collections to facilitate the safe exhibition of works from the collection. We are looking to have resumes on hand for project-based work throughout the year.
For the full Position Description, Qualifications, and Application Instructions click here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and filed for future projects. No phone calls, please.
Click here for information on our High School Apprenticeship Program.
