Clayton Tour Facilitator
CLAYTON TOUR FACILITATOR
Summary: As members of the Learning and Visitor Experience department, Clayton tour facilitators provide guided, visitor-centered tours of Clayton for the general public and private groups. Tours of Clayton explore the Gilded Age through the experiences of the Frick family and other 19th-century Pittsburghers, examining what it was like to live in this city at the dawn of modern America.
- Must have a commitment to fostering a workplace culture of Equity and Inclusion.
- Please note that all employees must be able to show proof of COVID vaccination and booster.
Reports to: Manager of Interpretation & Engagement
Hours: Weekly hours vary: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m., as needed. Training sessions and meetings (including pre-employment) required. Weekend, occasional evening hours, and occasional holidays required. Guaranteed minimum hours of 6-15 hours per week available to interested candidates.
Status: Non-exempt, part-time hourly position
Hourly Rate: $13.50
Pre-hire Process: Candidates are initially hired as Clayton Trainee employees. Pending completion of the training course and performance evaluation, trainees will then become Frick employees as part of the facilitator corps.
Responsibilities:
- Lead dynamic, engaging tours of Clayton for the general public and group tours. Tours of Clayton look beyond the Frick family story to explore the Gilded Age as a pivotal time in U.S. history and are based in storytelling and visitor engagement.
- Learn and present accurate information on all aspects of the Gilded Age and The Frick Pittsburgh (in addition to Clayton this includes The Frick Art Museum, the Car & Carriage Museum, the greenhouse and the Playhouse).
- Understand the complexities of history and the Gilded Age, including capitalism, wealth disparity, race and gender inequality, unfair labor practices etc., and facilitate conversations about these complexities in a clear, engaging way.
- Work cooperatively and flexibly as part of a collaborative interpretive corps.
- Work closely with Museum Experience Associates, other frontline staff, and the Assistant Manager of Interpretation to provide excellent customer service for all visitors to Clayton.
- Work closely with the Safety Department to ensure the safety of the house and collections during guided tours of Clayton.
- Attend mandatory ongoing training sessions and meetings to keep current on new tours, content information, tour techniques and topics related to the collections or visiting exhibitions.
- Serve as an ambassador for The Frick Pittsburgh, promoting the entire site and its programs, including membership.
- Assist with special events, tours and programs relating to Clayton and/or The Frick Pittsburgh as a whole, as requested. This includes, but is not limited to, holiday tours of Clayton throughout the month of December and large yearly events like Summer Fridays.
- Other duties as requested by management.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to fostering a workplace and museum culture of inclusion and belonging, anti-racist values and education practices.
- Prior experience leading inquiry-based, informal learning experiences in a museum or historic site setting is a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with staff and visitors of all backgrounds.
- Passion for history and sharing experiences with others; enthusiastic storyteller interested in the Gilded Age and how it relates to contemporary issues.
- Reliable, punctual and willing to work a flexible schedule. Candidates should expect to work weekends, some holidays (The Frick Pittsburgh is closed on Juneteenth, July Fourth, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) and occasional evenings as needed. Although scheduling is flexible, ideal candidates should be looking for regular work on a weekly basis.
- Must be able to lead three (3) one-hour tours per shift. Candidates must feel confident ascending/descending stairs daily and feel comfortable standing for long periods of time. Candidates must be prepared to work in all weather conditions as Clayton is a historic space with minimal climate control and tours take place partially outdoors.
- Must have access to a computer to download training materials and to receive work-related communications. Must be responsive via email. Proficiency with Google Drive is a plus.
- Possess a fun, friendly, confident personality. Engaging speakers with strong communication skills, enthusiasm, and adaptability are encouraged to apply.
- BA in history, education, museum studies, art history or a related field OR comparable working experience preferred. Work/volunteer experience should be in education, art history, history, museum studies or a related field.
- Must pass Act 33/34 clearance and criminal background checks and FBI clearances.
Training Requirements:
- Successful candidates must commit to learning a large amount of information in a relatively short time and possess the initiative to complete large portions of training on their own.
- Training consists of readings, self-directed learning, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins with other trainees and interpretive staff.
- Trainees will be paid for all in-person training meetings and for minimum hours per week of self-directed study during the training period.
- Candidates that meet all training requirements will be required to lead a sample tour (referred to as a clearing tour) for management and will be evaluated on their skills. Successful candidates will be cleared to begin giving tours to the public and will become official Frick employees.
- Trainees who are unable to complete a clearing tour to the satisfaction of management after two (2) attempts will be dismissed from the facilitator position and will no longer be employees of The Frick Pittsburgh.
Please submit a cover letter along with your resume. You can do so by applying directly on the Frick Pittsburgh website at: https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/employment
The Frick Pittsburgh is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and racial equity and urges qualified diverse applicants to apply.
The Frick Pittsburgh is observing ALL Government, State, and Local guidelines and protocols for COVID 19 safety including social distancing and mask wearing. We also require applicants to show proof of COVID vaccination and booster.
Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the museum field are encouraged to apply. Confidential inquiries, applications, and recommendations are welcome.