GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Learning and Teaching Manager, and in alignment with department practices and teaching methodologies, the Winslow Homer Studio Tour Guide is responsible for leading and facilitating interactive, informative, and inclusive public tours. The tour guide invites visitors to learn about and experience the life and artistic practice of Winslow Homer, both within the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) galleries and at the Winslow Homer Studio at Prout's Neck, Scarborough. This role is responsible for providing exceptional visitor experience, offering learning opportunities, and directly engaging with audiences.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leads and facilitates public tours at the Winslow Homer Studio in accordance with the PMA’s Learning and Community Collaboration team’s methodologies and teaching practices and Museum Experience and Safety department’s customer service expectations.
• Greets and orients groups, visits select museum spaces to facilitate in-gallery experiences, travels on the PMA shuttle with tour group attendees to Prout's Neck, leads groups along the outdoor Cliff Walk, explores both floors of the Winslow Homer Studio, and escorts groups back to the PMA aboard the shuttle.
• Works in close communication with Group Sales staff for tour schedules, tour information, preparation, and to support patron needs and best understand specific group needs.
• Provides exceptional customer service to diverse audiences of all abilities, learning styles, and backgrounds.
• Teaches from original objects, artifacts, and reproductions in both formal and informal environments with a focus on following structured tour scripts and outlines, asking and answering questions, and engaging with patrons.
• Operates interpretive mechanisms including digital devices as needed.
• Employs sensitivity to multiple modes and forms of learning and adapts to the needs of tour groups.
• Learns and collaborates with patrons to build a responsive and inclusive environment.
• Practices flexibility to adjust tour experiences in real time to best adapt to visitor and/or group dynamics.
• Adapts to multiple potential touring scenarios to accommodate variable weather conditions and individual or group accessibility needs.
• Continually incorporates feedback from visitors, Museum Experience and Safety staff, and Learning and Community Collaboration staff into their practice; approaches feedback and room for growth with an open mind and is always learning.
• Works closely with the Museum Experience and Safety team to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests at the PMA and the Winslow Homer Studio.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or equivalent with one to three years of teaching experience and/or customer service experience required, preferably in a museum or educational setting. Candidates with experience in visual arts, education, historical settings, or related fields are preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong interpersonal, oral communication, and presentation skills. Multilingual candidates are preferred.
• Ability to work weekdays and weekends as assigned generally from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on seasonal schedules, and occasional public events on evenings and weekends.
• Awareness of and ability to adhere to current teaching methodologies and PMA education practices.
• Ability to quickly adapt and accommodate to changing situations and environments.
• Ability to operate interpretive mechanisms including digital devices as needed.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with coworkers and a variety of individuals contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• CPR/First Aid certification is preferred but not required.
• Ability to follow instructions from Museum Experience and Safety staff during medical or other emergencies.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Friendly, courteous, empathetic, and engaging presence with all museum visitors and staff, including those of all abilities, age, and backgrounds.
• Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Fosters relationships and builds philanthropy with patrons at the PMA, as defined by displaying behavior that welcomes all individuals contacted in the course of work. This may include answering questions, utilizing approachable body language such as smiling and making eye contact, thanking people for visiting the PMA, and other open and engaging behavior on a daily basis.
• Communicates and works effectively with staff, volunteers, and visitors; exercises tact and diplomacy at all times and represents the museum in a positive and professional manner.
• Supports programmatic initiatives related to PMA’s multifaceted inclusivity and diversity action plan, designed to promote inclusiveness, prevent discrimination, and create an organization that challenges and changes practices that present barriers.
• Models exceptional customer service for all visitor locations, including gallery spaces.
• Complies with all PMA safety rules and procedures.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Regular attendance at the workplace on assigned schedule is required, including attendance at all required meetings and trainings regarding touring, customer service, interpretive content, and PMA information.
• The schedule varies depending on the needs of the PMA and includes weekends. Must be available to work at least two shifts per week. Winslow Homer Studio Tour Guide scheduling aligns with the Winslow Homer Studio Tours schedule and is expected to run from May through November. Mandatory training date will be TBD. Generally, tours last approximately three hours total, start to finish, in accordance with determined schedules, assigned daily shifts may include multiple back-to-back tours.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed in a museum setting and on historic property, subject to extremes in temperature, including working outside in all weather conditions. Will have regular contact with patrons. May also be frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and crouch. Must be able ride PMA shuttle to and from the Homer studio. Due to the public trail on the Cliff Walk at Prout's Neck, this position requires an ability to lift, walk, stand, sit, and lead groups on uneven and/or slippery surfaces.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The PMA is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our museum. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran status, status as a whistleblower, marital status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act, it is the policy of PMA to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact PMA’s Human Resources at (telephone and e-mail address).

All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

POSITION DETAILS:

Effective Date: April 2024Pay Basis: Hourly FLSA Status: Non-ExemptEmployment Status: Seasonal Union Position: YesPay Grade: B