Volunteer

Red Oak Victory Wants You as a Member of Our Crew!

Volunteer welder on the SS Red Oak Victory, Richmond, CA

You must think historic ships are cool or you wouldn’t be on this website!  Now is your chance to help maintain, preserve, and represent Red Oak Victory, one of the most important historic ships in the country.

Did you know that Red Oak Victory is the last remaining ship of the 747 vessels built at California’s  Richmond-Kaiser shipyards during World War II?  The Kaiser shipyards were vital to American victory in the war but they were also a spawning ground for modern civil rights and equal opportunity movements.  Kaiser also developed such innovative labor relations practices as company provided health care, housing assistance, and day care.  Helping to tell the story of Red Oak Victory is far more than just telling about a World War II ship.  It’s the story of a significant part of American history and progress.

The ship is open for engineering and deck work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  On Sundays, the ship is open for the public to take tours.  And there are special events throughout the year including school field trips, dances, music events, and, of course, our famous Pancake Breakfasts.  As a member of our all-volunteer crew you can contribute to any or all of these activities.

We are looking to fill two senior volunteer positions on the ship:

  • Executive Director: click here for more information
  • Collections Manager: click here for more information

We are also looking for crew members interested in working as:

  • Docents and Greeters: Work with the public visitors to present the ship, lead tours, take tickets, etc.
  • General maintenance, painting, cleaning: no maritime experience needed but familiarity with hand tools is helpful.
  • Regulatory and Compliance Manager:  Manage and maintain all compliance procedures and documentation with Coast Guard, EPA, etc.
  • Welders: willing to climb masts and work on higher parts of the ship
  • Painters: experienced working on steel, also willing to work up high
  • Riggers: perform repair and maintenance on the ship’s lifting gear
  • Content producers for marketing

If you are interested in finding out more about these volunteer opportunities, please click here to email us.