What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visitor Guide position at Shelburne Museum?
SEASONAL VISITOR GUIDE JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Type: Seasonal; Part-Time, and Full-Time
Position Location: On-site (Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT)
Department: Education
Salary: $15.35 per hour/ 22-38 hours per week
Reports to: Manager of Guides, Group Tours, and Volunteers
We are looking for enthusiastic, curious, dedicated, and flexible Visitor Guides to join our seasonal team of public ambassadors.
The Visitor Guide role is an opportunity to combine your people skills with your interest in history, art, and related fields in a varied and beautiful environment. Visitor Guides at Shelburne Museum are a dedicated and friendly group of co-workers who play a critical role in orienting our diverse visitors, making them feel welcome at the museum, and helping them engage with the Museum’s exhibits and collections. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills, friendly and approachable demeanors, and the ability to adapt their presentation styles to suit different audiences, ranging from children to adults.
Responsibilities:
- Commit to working at least three (3) days per week for the duration of the 2025 Visitor season (May 9 – October 26, 2025).
- Check in and out promptly for daily shifts and breaks: 9:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with 45 minutes for lunch and a 15-minute break.
- Visitor Guides are expected to work at least one weekend day per week and some holidays.
- Attend 3-5 days of paid training in early May (dates TBA) and periodic paid training sessions held during the public season.
- Greet visitors upon arrival in the building where you are working, making them feel welcome and offering a very brief orientation of what the building displays.
- Let visitors know that you are available to provide information and answer questions should they want to learn more; assess visitors’ level of interest and respond accordingly.
- Communicate proactively with relevant staff members to ensure the comfort and safety of all visitors and objects.
Qualifications and Desired Skills:
- Equivalent of two or more years of college preferred but not required.
- At least two years of experience working with the public is highly desirable.
- Experience with customer service and communication skills highly desirable.
- Prior work as an educator and/or prior experience in a museum or related organization will be considered assets.
- Understanding of teamwork reflected in flexibility, commitment, and reliability.
- Desire to learn about the museum’s diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives through periodic paid training and workshops.
- Comfort working independently at times as well as cooperatively with supervisors, fellow guides, and staff from across the museum.
- Enthusiasm for making the museum welcoming and inclusive for visitors of all ages and backgrounds, including children.
- Some locations on campus have stairs and involve walking and/or standing. Please see Access Statement below; reasonable accommodation will be provided.
Access Statement:
Shelburne Museum is committed to enhancing accessibility and inclusion for our employees and visitors. We will take steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to perform essential duties. If reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Bailey Moody, Human Resources, at 802-985-0881 or email HR@shelburnemuseum.org.
Job Type: Seasonal
Pay: $15.35 per hour
Expected hours: 22 – 38 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Rotating weekends
Work Location: In person
Salary : $15
