Tour Guide
Status: Part Time/Non-exempt
Reports to: Adult Programs and Tours Manager
Job Posting Expires: Until Position is Filled
Reports to: Adult Programs and Tours Manager
Job Posting Expires: Until Position is Filled
Position Title: Tour Guide1
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt2
Job Objective: Valentine Tour Guides conduct Richmond History Tours that engage a diverse audience in learning about Richmond’s history on walking and bus tours. As ambassadors for the city and the Valentine Museum, Tour Guides are responsible for interpreting Richmond’s history for residents, visitors, students, and private groups, encouraging them to make new discoveries and historical connections through tours of the city’s sites and neighborhoods. Tour Guides work approximately 6-15 hours per month, scheduled as needed, including weekend and evening hours.
Reporting Supervisor: Adult Programs and Tours Manager
Positions Supervised: None
Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Educate and engage a diverse audience with Richmond
- Professionally represent the Valentine to the public, including students, adults and private groups.
- Strive to engage tour attendees in an active and conversational experience which sparks curiosity and prompts personal
- Direct and manage visitors skillfully, be flexible, and deliver customer service with a personable and knowledgeable
- Conduct research and contribute new tour content to the Richmond History Tours Program, utilizing current scholarship, inclusive language, and diverse perspectives on the city’s
- To the best of your ability ensure the safety and security of tour attendees and museum equipment while leading
- Report promptly for scheduled tours 30 minutes prior to the tour start
- Handle tour registration, keep accurate attendance records and distribute evaluation forms to attendees
- Attend and arrive on time for all required meetings, including Quarterly Staff Meetings, regular training sessions and programs, and show commitment to the monthly tour schedule.
- Take pride in your work, show a commitment to the mission of the Valentine and sharing Richmond’s history, actively continue to develop your skills and knowledge, and play a role in the continued improvement of the tours program and Education and Engagement Department.
- Commit to a minimum of 2 tours per month during the Public Tour Season (April- December).
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in History, Education, Art History, Museum Studies, Theater or a related
- Experience working with the public in an educational or professional setting, proven ability to work with others, and strong oral and written communication
- Completion of the Valentine’s Ambassador Academy course prior to applying or within one year of appointment required
- Spanish or multi-language fluency a plus.
Physical Demands:
The Tour Guide must be physically able to stand and walk with a group for two hours or longer and be able to climb stairs, walk uneven pavement and hilly landscape and board school buses and mini-buses/motorcoaches and address an audience. While performing the duties of this position, the Tour Guide is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, speak for extended periods of time and listen. The Tour Guide may be occasionally asked to lift and carry objects such as tour brochures and other printed material, a sound system, photographs, first aid kit weighing up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation & Work Hours
- Part-time hourly position, scheduled as needed for programs, including weekend and evenings. Hours per week will vary.
- Wage commensurate with experience, $14 – $17 per hour.