Opportunities From: National Mall Volunteer Program

About the Site: Tucked behind the U.S. Capitol, this 200-year-old house located at 144 Constitution Avenue, NE, stands as a testament to the nation's continuing struggle for equality. Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument tells the story of a community of women who dedicated their lives to the fight for women’s rights. The women of the National Woman’s Party, founded by Alice Paul, used innovative tactics and strategies to shape public opinion about the equality of women.

Built on Capitol Hill in 1800, the brick federal-period house that today is Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is among the oldest residential properties in Washington, D.C.

Location: The majority of this volunteer position is indoors, working directly with Park Rangers. There is a restroom on site, and space for volunteers to store their items. 

Responsibilities:  Welcome and engage with visitors. Share historical and cultural information about the home, the National Women's Party, and the related leaders and associated stories. Interpret the House’s exhibits. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Keep the area tidy. Distribute maps and Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources.

About the Site: The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial opened to the public in 2020 and tells the story of one of America’s greatest leaders of the 20th century. This four-acre site, located between the US Department of Education and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, recognizes the two pillars of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s leadership: serving as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War II, then as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 – 1961.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the Volunteer Desk and Storage at the Memorial’s Bookstore, located on the east side of the Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and artefacts that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to use the entirety of the Memorial to interact with visitors, but the Volunteer Desk and Window can be used when the weather is not suitable for volunteer roving. 

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Share the history and legacy of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and memorial brochures. Distribute Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful.

About the Site: The Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial honors the 32nd President of the United States and opened in 1997. Spanning seven and a half acres, this Memorial features a series of outdoor rooms with water features that chronologically represent FDR's four terms in office. The Memorial also houses bas-relief panels, inscriptions from the former president’s speeches, and sculptures—notably, a statue of FDR in a wheelchair was added in 2001 to highlight his experience with polio. The Memorial also includes a statue of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, which remains the only depiction of a First Lady in a presidential memorial. The FDR Memorial is located along the Tidal Basin and bursts into color each spring with the flowering of cherry blossoms and magnolia trees.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the Volunteer Desk and Storage at the Memorial’s Bookstore, located on the east side of the Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and artefacts that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to rove the entirety of the Memorial to interact with visitors. The Volunteer Desk and Window can be used when the weather is not suitable for volunteer roving. 

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Share the history and legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as it is helpful.

Stipend Opportunity: The

About the Site: The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and United Nations coalition forces who served in the Korean War, particularly those who were killed, are still missing, or were held as prisoners of war. The Memorial was dedicated in 1995 and features nineteen statues of servicemembers in ponchos, a reflecting pool, a curb of UN support, the Wall of Faces, and the inscription: “Freedom isn’t Free.” The landscape of granite and juniper symbolizes the rugged terrain of Korea. The Wall of Remembrance was added in 2022 and features the names of over 36,000 American and over 7,000 Korean Augmentation to the US Army (KATUSA) soldiers who died in the conflict.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the Korean War Veterans Memorial Information Kiosk to the south of the Lincoln Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and other materials that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to assess the visitor flow and ranger / volunteer positioning between the Memorial and the Information Kiosk, and position themselves where they think is most helpful. It is preferred to have at least one person staffing the information window, but volunteers may rove the entirety of the Memorial.

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Staff the information kiosk. Share the history and legacy of the Korean War. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and memorial brochures. Distribute Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful. Welcome and guide veterans and Honor Flight visitors. Help visitors locate names on the Wall of Remembrance.

About the Site: The Lockkeeper's House is the oldest structure on the National Mall, built in 1837. It served as the residence and office for the lockkeeper of the canal lock connecting the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal to the Washington City Canal, which was located near the intersection of 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW. The house is a reminder of the city's early transportation history and the importance of the canal system in the nineteenth century.

Location: Often the Lockkeeper’s House is fully staffed by the on-shift volunteer, who is also responsible for opening or closing the site, and picking up/dropping off the key at the World War II Memorial Information Kiosk, to the south of the World War II Memorial. The World War II Memorial Information Kiosk also has the closest restrooms. Volunteers are primarily stationed inside the House, but they can engage visitors outside if there is more than one volunteer on site.

Responsibilities: Open and close the Lockkeeper’s House. Welcome and engage with visitors. Share historical and cultural information about the Lockkeeper’s House, the Washington City Canal, and the National Mall. Interpret the House’s exhibits and operate the video exhibit. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the area tidy. Distribute maps and Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources.

About the Site: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the legacy of the renowned civil rights activist and preacher. The Memorial is on a four-acre site in West Potomac Park, situated symbolically between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. It features the “Stone of Hope,” a twenty-eight-foot statue of Dr. King emerging from the “Mountain of Despair.” The Memorial also includes 182 cherry trees, which bloom each year around the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination on April 4th. The site inspires visitors with themes of justice, peace, and righteousness, reflecting Dr. King's vision and speeches.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the Volunteer Desk and Storage at the Memorial’s Bookstore, located to the west of the Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and resources that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to rove the entirety of the Memorial to interact with visitors. The Volunteer Desk and Window can be used when the weather is not suitable for volunteer roving. 

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Share the history and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and memorial brochures. Distribute Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful.

About the Site: National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA) covers 1,000 acres of parkland, 14 designated national monuments and memorials, and over 150 statues, fountains, and park reservations throughout Washington, DC. The Administrative Offices at National Mall and Memorial Parks are the central hub for receiving and sharing information with rangers on the Mall and with the public.

Location: Volunteers work from the welcome desk at the entrance to the National Mall and Memorial Parks headquarters offices at 1100 Ohio Dr. SW. This building includes the offices for most park staff.

Responsibilities: Volunteers will support front desk operations, including greeting visitors to the NAMA offices, directing inquiries to the appropriate contact, and answering questions. Volunteers also monitor the Park’s phone line to support incoming questions and requests.

About the Site: This information kiosk is located at the exit to the Smithsonian-National Mall Metro stop, Visitors use the information kiosk for general information to support their visit to the National Mall, such as Smithsonian hours and recommendations, maps and walking routes, and things to see and do.

Location: The kiosk stays stocked with maps, brochures, and other materials that volunteers may use to support visitors. The nearest bathrooms are in the surrounding Smithsonian museums. 

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Staff the information kiosk. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the area for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the area tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources, including the Smithsonian museums and hours.

About the Site: The Trails & Rails program is a partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service that provides educational opportunities for travelers about the heritage and natural resources of the passing landscape they see out the window. From Union Station in Washington, DC , volunteers ride the Northeast Regional train from Washington, DC to New York City and back in one day.

Location: Volunteers start their days at Union Station in Washington, DC and then ride to Moynihan Station in New York City. After a layover of around 3 hours, volunteers return to Moynihan Station to ride the Amtrak train back to Union Station.

Responsibilities: Pass out brochures  and maps; use the train PA system to share information across the train; greet passengers in the lounge car; rove the train to answer questions and share information; help with trip planning; represent the National Park Service.

Training: All interested volunteers must take Amtrak's Online Safety Training, provided after attending a Trails & Rails Info Session presentation. Please note that becoming a guide requires 2 onboard training sessions.

In recognition of America's 250th birthday, the National Mall Volunteer Program has added the DC to Williamsburg line to the the Trails & Rails program. Volunteers in this program ride Amtrak trains and help inform train riders about events taking place at Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield, and Colonial Parkway, and they will connect visitors of those parks to the histories of the the Mall.

About the Site: The Trails & Rails program is a partnership between Amtrak and the National Park Service that provides educational opportunities for travelers about the heritage and natural resources of the passing landscape they see out the window. From Union Station in Washington, DC , volunteers ride the Northeast Regional train from Washington, DC to Williamsburg, VA and back in one day.

Location: Volunteers start their days at Union Station in Washington, DC and then ride to Williamsburg, VA. After a brief layover, they return on the same route together.

Responsibilities: Pass out brochures  and maps; use the train PA system to share information across the train; greet passengers in the lounge car; rove the train to answer questions and share information; help with trip planning; represent the National Park Service.

About the Site: The U.S. Park Police Horse Stables were originally constructed in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial celebration, and were intended to be a temporary structure. In partnership with the Trust for the National Mall, the National Park Service initiated a project to build a fully redesigned, state-of-the-art stables complex. The restoration was completed in 2023 and included sustainable structures, ample space for horse care and exercise, and the addition of an education center. The public can learn about the horses and the history of the National Mall’s mounted unit through hands-on exhibits, videos, and talking with volunteers.

Location: Often the Education Center is fully staffed by the on-shift volunteer, who is also responsible for opening and closing the center. The key for volunteers to open and close the Center is located in the World War II Memorial Information Kiosk, to the east of the Education Center, following Ash Road. Volunteers are primarily stationed at the Volunteer Desk in the Center, but they can rove throughout the Education Center and can even engage visitors outside if there is more than one volunteer on site.

Responsibilities: Open and close the Education Center, including starting video exhibits. Welcome and engage with visitors. Share historical and cultural information about the US Park Police Mounted Unit, their horses, and horse care. Interpret the Center’s exhibits. Facilitate exhibit activities. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the area tidy. Distribute maps and Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources.

About the Site: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in 1982, honors the U.S. servicemen and servicewomen who died or went missing during the Vietnam War, Cambodian Civil War, and other conflicts that made up the Second Indochina War. The Memorial's design, a black granite wall inscribed with over fifty-eight thousand names, was created to provide a place for reflection and healing. The Memorial also includes statues like The Three Servicemen and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which were added in 1984 and 1993, respectively.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Information Kiosk to the north of the Lincoln Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and other materials that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to assess the visitor flow and ranger / volunteer positioning between the Memorial and the Information Kiosk, and position themselves where they think is most helpful. It is preferred to have at least one person staffing the information window, but volunteers may rove the entirety of the Memorial.

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Staff the information kiosk. Share the history and legacy of the Vietnam War. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and memorial brochures. Distribute Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful. Welcome and guide veterans and Honor Flight visitors. Help visitors locate names and take rubbings of names.

About the Site: The Washington Monument pays homage to George Washington’s legacy and is an iconic symbol of Washington, D.C. Standing at over 555 feet, it is the tallest free-standing stone structure and obelisk in the world! The Monument was dedicated in 1885 and opened to the public in 1888. Inside, there are 193 commemorative stones from various contributors, and an elevator provides access to the five-hundred-foot observation deck. Tickets are free and guests can wait in line for same-day, first-come, first-serve tickets or reserve online in advance.

Location: Volunteers spend most of their shift on the Washington Monument Plaza. Maps, brochures, and other resources to support visitors can be found at the Monument Lodge, located to the east of the monument.

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Share the history and legacy of George Washington and the Monument. Interpret the Monument’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the area tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and brochures. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Share information about ticketing for the Monument. Help with line management and line engagement for timed-ticket entry to the Monument.

About the Site: The World War I Memorial commemorates the service of the 4.7 million American citizens and residents who contributed to the World War I Allied war effort in the American Expeditionary Forces. Building upon the site of the previous Pershing Park Memorial—named for John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI—the Memorial was opened to the public in April 2021 and completed with the installation of the sculpture titled “A Soldier’s Journey” in September 2024.

Location: There is no dedicated information kiosk or comfort station for volunteers at the World War I Memorial. Volunteers should use the nearby White House Visitor Center or the Marriott hotel for restrooms.

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Share the history and legacy of World War I. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful.

About the Site: The World War II Memorial is the national memorial dedicated to Americans who served during World War II in the armed forces and as civilians. The Memorial opened to the public on April 29th, 2004. It was built around the preexisting Rainbow Pool, with two “Victory Pavilion” triumphal arches flanked by fifty-six granite pillars, each representing a U.S. states or territory. It stands as a symbol of national unity and remembrance of the fortitude and valor of the American people during World War II.

Location: Volunteers can utilize the World War II Memorial Information Kiosk to the south of the Memorial. Here, there are maps, brochures, and other materials that volunteers may use to support visitors. Volunteers are encouraged to assess the visitor flow and ranger / volunteer positioning between the Memorial and the Information Kiosk, and position themselves where they think is most helpful. It is preferred to have at least one person staffing the information window, but volunteers may rove the entirety of the Memorial.

Responsibilities: Welcome and engage with visitors. Staff the information kiosk. Share the history and legacy of World War II. Interpret the Memorial’s design features. Support visitor navigation, wayfinding, and trip planning. Monitor the site for maintenance needs and report them to program staff. Keep the Memorial tidy, as needed. Distribute maps and memorial brochures. Distribute Junior Ranger books and swear-in Junior Rangers. Help visitors with National Park Service passport stamps. Share information about the surrounding area and resources. Inform visitors of basic memorial etiquette as is helpful. Welcome and guide veterans and Honor Flight visitors.