At Westminster Church · Friday Nights · 400 I Street SW, Washington, DC

Volunteer Positions & Day-of-Operations Guide

Friday Night Jazz runs on the energy and care of its volunteers. Every role below is essential to giving our guests a warm welcome, a great meal, and an unforgettable night of music. In return, volunteers are part of the family: every volunteer receives training for their role, free entry to the concert, and dinner on the nights they serve.

Apply to Volunteer

The Basics — Every Position

Arrival:

Volunteers arrive by 5:00 PM for setup and briefing.

Release:

Volunteers may leave when their position’s activities are complete — generally between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on the position and post.

Training:

Role-specific training is provided before your first night. No experience is required unless noted in the position description.

Benefits:

Free entry to the concert and dinner on every night you serve.

Scheduling:

Positions rotate where noted, so no volunteer carries every Friday alone. We ask for a good-faith commitment to the nights you sign up for, and as much notice as possible if you cannot make one.

Background Screening — A New Standard for Everyone

Beginning this season, all volunteers — new and returning — will complete a background check before serving. This is a standard practice for community organizations that handle admissions and food-service funds and serve guests of all ages, and it is increasingly expected by insurers and partner organizations.

To our returning volunteers: this requirement is not a reflection on you or the years of trusted service you have given this program — it applies uniformly to every person on the team, including the new leadership. A uniform policy is what protects each of us individually: no one is singled out, and every volunteer can serve with the full confidence of the program, the church, and our guests behind them. Jazz Night in Southwest DC will coordinate the screening process and keep results confidential.

Volunteer Positions

Door Manager / Food Service Cashier

8 Positions • Rotating

FISCAL MANAGEMENT · TWO POSTS

This is the program’s fiscal trust role, covering two posts. Because it is a rotating position with eight
volunteers, no one person carries the responsibility every Friday night.

See Job Description

Door Manager post

  • Greet attendees warmly as the first face of Jazz Night in Southwest DC.
  • Scan tickets for guests who purchased in advance on the website.
  • Sell tickets at the door, accepting cash or credit cards.

Food Service Cashier post

  • Check out guests purchasing dinners and other food items in the downstairs café.
  • Accept cash or credit cards and keep an accurate drawer.

What we look for

  • Cash management experience and financial acumen; comfort with a point-of-sale card reader; accuracy and discretion.

Floor Host

4 Positions

GUEST EXPERIENCE · UPPER & LOWER LEVELS

Floor Hosts are our ushers and the guardians of guest comfort, assigned to either the upper or lower level.

  • Assist guests with seating, with particular care for physically challenged attendees.
  • Mediate seating conflicts or challenges graciously.
  • Handle light cleanup of spills on the assigned floor.
  • Ensure restrooms on your level are stocked with paper goods, with light refresh cleaning as needed.
  • Lower level: periodically wipe down café tables, and assist Food Service Attendants with cleanup of chafing/warming dishes and wipe-down of the serving line.

Sound Manager

4 Positions

PRODUCTION

Sound Managers run the technical heart of the night on our portable PA system. Full training is provided — the system is deliberately chosen to be straightforward to learn and operate.

  • Run the public address (PA) system during the event.
  • Set up the stage and microphones according to the stage plot provided by the musicians, or the standard house stage plot when none is provided.
  • Break down and put away stage assets after the event and power down the PA system.

Food Service Attendant

4 Positions

CAFÉ SERVICE

  • Serve food to guests in plated or to-go containers, following pre-defined portions.
  • Keep self-serve snacks, sodas, and waters continuously stocked.
  • Clean and wash chafing/warming dishes and wipe down the serving line.

Parking Attendant

4 Positions

GUEST ARRIVAL · CHURCH LOT

Parking Attendants make sure the church lot serves as many guests as possible, safely and smoothly. Note: no cash is handled on the parking lot.

  • Direct parking on the church lot, arranging cars efficiently to maximize available spaces.
  • Check tickets for pre-paid parking; accept credit cards for on-site purchases. Cash is not accepted on the lot.
  • Once the lot is full, the attendant may come inside, but must periodically check the lot for any unwanted activity.
  • If a guest is blocked in and needs to leave, the attendant coordinates the departure only for an approved personal emergency, as determined by the Master of Ceremonies (MC) or an SRDC Board member on site.

Positions at a Glance

All volunteers: Arrive by 5:00 PM · release between 8:00 and 10:00 PM depending on position and post · training, free concert entry, and dinner included · background check required for all volunteers.

How to Apply

Complete the volunteer application on our website, or pick up a paper application at the door on any Friday night. We review applications on a rolling basis and will contact you to talk about your interests, your availability, and next steps — including scheduling your background check and training.

Ready to Apply?

Questions? Speak with any member of the Jazz Night in Southwest DC team on a Friday night, or reach out through the contact page on our website.