Museum Educator for Docents and Tour Programs

Position Overview

Museum Educator for Docent and Tour Programs is responsible for managing the daily workings of the Museum docent program, including new docent training, writing Museum tours, training docents to deliver the tours, and scheduling tours. The Museum Educator will work collaboratively with the Museum Education team and other professionals on the development of other Museum based educational opportunities. Volunteer Museum Docents number approximately 40 each year.

Responsibilities

Manage docent program for exhibition and permanent collection:

● Plan and schedule docent meetings/briefings/educational sessions

● Provide docents with orientation and interpretive training on exhibitions and permanent collection using interactive methods to engage visitors and tour groups of all ages from pre-K to adult.

● Provide docents with continuing education in inquiry-based interactive methods, knowledge of the permanent collection (e.g. artist/acquisition/provenance)

● Initiate and supervise docent recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation.

● Maintain pertinent information on the docent web page as a resource for docent scheduling, training, tours, program information, resources for docents, and exhibition-related educational materials.

● Present tours as needed when a docent is unavailable, a larger than anticipated number of participants arrives for a tour, or for special tours.

Lecturers and guest speakers:

● Through independent research and, working with the Museum Education Director and curators, identify guest speakers to provide training, reference material, and resources to Museum docents for foundational and continuing education with gallery talks, art history lectures, and museum interpretation methods. Speakers may be current or former MWPAI professional staff and faculty or outside curators, faculty, or experts in the field.

● Engage speakers for briefings or training, prepare honorarium letter and payment, make arrangements for travel and/or accommodations as needed.

Training materials:

● Referencing current museum pedagogy, prepare traditional and digital interpretive and educational materials to develop interpretation of the Museum collection and exhibitions, using interactive methods to engage visitors and tour groups of all ages from pre-K to adult. Digital components include video, audio and mobile guides.

● Conduct tours as needed.

Maintain Museum Education database for docent and tour scheduling and reports:

● Coordinate tour dates and times for internal or external groups and schedule appropriate number of docents for each tour. Enter information into database.

● Make other arrangements as necessary (i.e. security, maintenance, set-ups) and complete appropriate facility use forms and set-up sheets.

Manage docent program budget:

● Using funds in the docent program budget, schedule fall opening docent event and final docent appreciation event at the conclusion of the spring tour season.

● Manage funds for speaker fees, some travel or other accommodations for guest speakers as needed.

Assist Museum Education staff in the development and implementation of Museum programs and tours for school and community groups.

● In advance of each exhibition opening or installation of permanent collection works of art, working with Museum Education staff, design the concepts and mechanics of each tour.

● Research the exhibition and works of art, determine the intent of the educational materials to be presented.

● Develop theme, select works of art to be highlighted in each tour, prepare tour script for overall tour information and for each stop in the tour and answers to anticipated participant questions.

● Anticipate and be prepared to divide large tour groups into smaller groups and choreograph the structure and timing of the tour.

Assist with school and community outreach programming:

● As a member of the Museum Education staff, make occasional presentations for career day events at local schools,

● Make occasional presentations on Museum exhibitions at various venues, e.g. career day events, senior centers, and public libraries

● May also include participation in events outside of the MWPAI offerings hosted by other community organizations and colleges (e.g. Juneteenth, World Refugee Day event)

Participate in Art Alive! Family Day and First Friday program planning and implementation. Be an active committee member in planning and implementing Museum-wide events such as Art Alive! Family Days and First Fridays: proposing, designing and/or presenting tours or activities.

Participate in Institute-wide committees and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

● Education and Experience – Qualified candidates will have a BA/BS degree or higher in Art History, Museum Studies, Education, Art Education or related field and proven problem-solving and planning capabilities with experience in education, art, or museum work.

● Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor volunteers and provide immediate feedback to improve performance in order to support the visitor experience.

● Candidates must possess outstanding oral and written communication skills, visitor service skills, and Microsoft Office suite, spreadsheet, and database proficiency. Familiarity or experience with CMS is desirable.

Munson-Williams offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

○ Medical, dental, and vision insurances for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner, and dependents.

○ Paid group life insurance with the ability to purchase additional optional life insurance

○ Paid short-term and long-term disability coverages

○ Participation in Munson-Williams’ TIAA retirement plan after one year of service.

○ Generous benefit time off including holidays, sick time, and early closing on summer Fridays. Annual PTO of 14 days with increases beginning with your 4th year.

○ Other benefits include: Employee Assistance Program, Museum of Art membership with reciprocal admission to other Museums, free School of Art classes for you and your immediate family and complimentary tickets to world-class performances, concerts, films, and family-oriented performances.

● As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization under the IRS Code, Munson-Williams is considered a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student load debt for employees of certain non-profit and public employers.

● The opportunity to work in a lively office with passionate and friendly colleagues who are committed to excellence and promoting creative expression

To Apply

Submit resume and cover letter discussing background, qualifications, and interest in the position. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Inquiries: 315-797-0000, extension 2108

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Utica, NY 13502: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

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