Tour Guide (Chesterwood)

National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States•Stockbridge, MA

8d•$20•Onsite

About The Position

Chesterwood is the Gilded Age summer residence, studio, and gardens of American sculptor Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). The buildings on the 122-acre estate showcase a vast collection of original sculptures, paintings, and furniture; the landscape offers stunning mountain views, formal gardens, and woodland trails. Guided tours and educational programs highlight French’s life and artistic achievements while contemporary art is advanced through special exhibitions, such as the annual outdoor sculpture show, and artist residencies. Chesterwood also presents a robust performance series (ArtsAlive!) and events/programs for children. The Tour Guide serves as an informed and friendly ambassador for the site and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, providing individual or group tours to interpret the history of the site, its buildings and grounds, and placing them in historical and contemporary context for the visitor.

Requirements

Some experience in public speaking, presenting educational or promotional information to the public, or other customer service role. Previous experience as an educator, guide, tour leader or related role preferred, experience in a museum or historic or cultural setting a plus.
Knowledge of and enthusiasm for art, history, architecture or other cultural topics related to the site preferred.
Effective and engaging presentation skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to speak and read English fluently. Bi-lingual fluency a plus.
Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with culturally diverse audiences, and audiences of varying ages.
Basic problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to work weekends, holidays and some evenings.
Ability to work a minimum of 56 hours per month (or 2 days a week).
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Minimum physical requirements include but are not limited to: ability to stand for periods up to 90 minutes; walk over uneven terrain; climb stairs, lift and carry loads of up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Interpret the site, its architecture, landscape, and/or artifacts through interactive experiential tours that encourage visitors to better understand and appreciate the site within historical and contemporary contexts.
Engage visitors in active observation, discussion and synthesis.
Respond to different groups (adults, school children, families) by varying information provided as appropriate.
Convey the mission of the individual site and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, including announcing current initiatives and upcoming programs and events.
Provide exceptional customer service to all site guests and interact positively and professionally with site colleagues.
Assist in monitoring collections security (buildings, objects, grounds) and visitor safety, responding calmly and professionally to emergencies and promptly notifying supervisors of incidents or unsafe conditions.
Conduct research and reading to construct thoughtful, engaging tours following the interpretive method.
Attend all required in-service training sessions and contribute insights drawn from tour experiences and visitor response. Participate actively in training programs and other opportunities in order to expand site knowledge and strengthen interpretive skills.
Assist as needed with visitor services and operations, including visitor orientation, answering phones, shop retail and ticket sales.
Assist as needed with educational activities, special events and other additional duties and responsibilities.