Museum Interpreter | Houston, TX

Museum Interpreter

Classification: Part-time, hourly

Work Schedule: Onsite, Flexible, 15-25 hours/week, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm, some weekends

Compensation: $15-$18 per hour

Reports to: Education Programs Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Interpreters will, after training, lead group tours of museum galleries, engaging visitors to bring a cohesive and vibrant interpretation of the museum’s permanent collection exhibits. Experience in an educational or museum setting as well as a familiarity with interpretive strategies for engaging diverse audiences is a plus. Superb communications skills and a willingness to tackle new programmatic content will be required. Interpreters will participate in ongoing training to continue to expand their knowledge of the collection and museum, as well as to hone their interpretive skills. An enthusiasm for creating a welcoming, dynamic, and engaging experience at The Printing Museum for all our visitors is a must.

Responsibilities:

• • Guide tours and engage with visitors in museum galleries. After training, provide regular and seasonal tours for group tours and general audiences.
• • Support ongoing interpretive training in both content and technique in accordance with museums interpretive goals.
• • Willingness to participate in additional programming that supports interpretive goals.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Experience: 1–2 years of experience guiding tours at a museum or historic site as a paid or volunteer guide, or one year of experience teaching at any grade level with a bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, art history, history, or related field; equivalent experience accepted in lieu of education.

Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience working in an educational or museum setting that required interpretive work or public facing responsibilities. Familiarity and demonstrated interest in printing history, art history, communication, or design.

Knowledge/Skills:

• • Excellent communication skills.
• • Ability to synthesize new interpretive content quickly and efficiently.
• • A passion for offering a welcoming and dynamic visitor experience for all visitors.
• • Experience in creative interpretation and/or educational programming.
• • Sensitivity to and familiarity with interpretive techniques that encourage diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility for all visitors.

• • Able to work both independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.

Special Position Requirements

• • Standing to lead tours and engaging visitors for periods up to 2 hours without breaks.
• • Able to speak and hear in a normal range to answer guest inquiries.
• • Able to operate antique printing presses which can include regular bending, reaching, pulling, or pushing approximately 25 pounds.
• • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.

COVID-19 Considerations: Museum guests and staff are required to wear masks in the facility. Vaccination is required.

HOW TO APPLY:

This position is open until filled. Qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and up to three (3) references combined into one PDF to: jobs@printingmuseum.org. Only emailed applications will be accepted.

ABOUT THE PRINTING MUSEUM:

The Printing Museum explores the intersections of the history, art, and technology of printing and demonstrates its enduring impact through exhibitions, interactive tours, and creative workshops. With over 10,000 items in its permanent collection—including one of the earliest printed documents, fine-art facsimiles such as the Gutenberg Bible, and contemporary limited-edition works on paper—the Museum is an engaging place for kids and adults alike.

The Printing Museum provides equal opportunity for all qualified candidates, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, political preference, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, or other status protected by law or regulation. The Printing Museum prohibits discrimination in any aspect, including selection of independent contractors, termination, or contract rates.