UMFA Coordinator of Volunteer and Tour Programs: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is located on the campus of the University of Utah and offers visitors the opportunity to explore over 5,000 years of human creativity with a collection of over 20,000 objects and art works from classic Greek and Roman antiquities to cutting-edge, contemporary art. Founded in 1914, the UMFA is the state of Utah’s art museum, creating exhibitions and programs that serve a wide array of audiences. The UMFA is housed in the award-winning Marcia and John Price Museum Building. UMFA Mission: The Utah Museum of Fine Arts inspires critical dialogue and illuminates the role of art in our lives.
As a member of the Department of Education and Engagement at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Coordinator of Volunteer and Tour Programs is responsible for the Museum’s docent program, volunteers, and tours, including managing and occasionally conducting docent training sessions. This position also maintains the tour database and reports on program attendance. We value diversity and aim to create programs that reflect our community’s diversity to better serve our visitors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the UMFA’s docent program such that it supports the UMFA’s educational goals, including:
• Manage new docent recruitment and interviewing.
• Undertake responsibility for new docent training curriculum, including scheduling presenters.
• Provide occasional training sessions on tour content, format, and philosophy.
• Develop and plan ongoing training and enrichment programs for docents, including current best practices in museum education.
• Assume oversight of Docent Steering Committee and mentorship programs.
• Develop, refine, and maintain methods of clear two-way communication with docents, both collectively and individually, to solve problems and build connections to the Museum and its goals.
• Organize and manage procedures that provide docents with feedback to enhance their abilities; identify any performance issues and provide coaching or corrective action when appropriate.
• Maintain records of docent attendance and evaluations.
• Write monthly newsletter for docents.
• Act as a liaison between docents and other UMFA staff.
• Manage Museum volunteers including recruitment, interviewing, placement, and general training.
• Schedule and coordinate Museum tours. Provide information about the tour program and confirm arrangements with group leaders. Plan tours in communication with docent leadership.
• Provide occasional tours as needed for visitors and to model tour technique/content.
• Provide excellent customer and assistance to potential visitors and volunteers.
• Manage database of attendance for all Education and Engagement programs (tours, public programs, etc.). Gather program attendance for the annual statistical report.
• Oversee one staff member who will assist with tour scheduling and data collection.
• Maintain database of current volunteers and contact information; update online directory.
• Maintain accurate program budget.
• Keeps abreast of current museum education practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a related area or equivalency (2 years related work experience may be substituted for 1 year of education), and two years related experience required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

PREFERENCES:

• Bachelor’s degree in art, art education, art history, or education, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrable art knowledge and familiarity (academic experience preferred) that goes beyond art appreciation.
• Ability to have and lead critical, academic conversations about works of art and exhibitions.
• Experience managing and addressing the concerns of volunteers or staff members.
• Experience teaching or leading training sessions.
• Facility with Filemaker Pro or transferable in-depth knowledge of another database system.
• Spectacular clarity and poise in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to apply excellent problem-solving skills to identify concerns or opportunities, consider information from multiple sources and perspectives, and develop appropriate solutions or courses of action.
• Ability to handle a varied workload, to be detail-oriented, and to prioritize tasks with outstanding organizational skills and good follow-through.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and to plan accordingly.
• Adaptability, maintaining effectiveness when situations change, adjusting to new work processes, requirements, personalities, or cultures.
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative and prompt action to accomplish objectives.
• Ability to collaborate with other Museum staff and educators.
• Creative thinker, professional demeanor.
• General office and computer skills (i.e. Microsoft Office, Adobe).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The University of Utah is an EO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer

This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

No calls please, to be considered for this position apply on-line at http://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/50682

Categories: Job Postings