The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is seeking Museum Guides (Seasonal Workers) to be stationed at one or more of the four museums operated by the DECD: Eric Sloane Museum (Kent), Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine (East Granby), Prudence Crandall Museum (Canterbury), and the Henry Whitfield State Museum (Guilford).
POSITION DETAILS
The Museum Guides will report to the staff person in charge of the site. This position allows for a minimum of 16 hours/week to a maximum of 40 hours/week and requires weekend work. Individual work schedules will be determined by the site supervisor. Some holiday work will be required. Training will begin in late April, and the open season will run from May through November.
If you’re passionate about museums and are looking to gain more experience in this field, the Museum Guide Seasonal Worker position is an excellent opportunity to pursue. This position offers a variety of experiences such as daily interactions with guests, leading tours, and research opportunities all while learning about day-to-day museum and collection upkeep. It’s a perfect fit for those wishing to continue their museum employment experience or those aspiring to work in a museum setting.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performing tasks associated with visitor services including, but not limited to, site interpretation and group tours and retail services (including ticket sales, gift shop sales, and refreshing and inventorying gift shop merchandise);
- Social media and computer needs;
- Basic facilities maintenance;
- Interact directly with visitors of all ages presenting information about the museums, answering questions, assisting with program presentation, doing basic site maintenance tasks, opening and closing the facilities, making rounds of the site for security purposes, answering telephones, handling gift shop operations and ticket sales, and working special events.
- Seasonal workers at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine will sometimes be assigned duties that require comfort with underground tunnels, caves and low ceilings. Special duties may be assigned depending on the needs of the site, including assistance with moving collections, clearing/cleaning buildings/barns, and/or assistance with research and collection management. Work hours during specified workdays may vary depending on hours of operation and special event schedule. Remaining hours may roll over at the end of the season, and schedules are to be determined with the site supervisor.
- Seasonal workers must be able to traverse uneven terrain, three flights of stairs, and be comfortable outdoors in all types of weather; must be able to lift up to 30 pounds and remain standing for long periods of time.