Education Tour Manager - Ford House

Full-time, exempt, $40-50,000 annually

Position Description

The Education Tour Manager is responsible for: running, overseeing, and evolving the Ford House tour program, training, managing, observing, and supervising a team of 12-15 part-time tour staff, developing new tours, and remaining current with best practices in cultural sensitivity and visitor engagement. She/he works closely with the Education Director and Education Coordinators, and collaborates with other departments and areas, including the Visitor Experience, Collections, Archives, Communications & Community Engagement, Security, and Landscape teams on various aspects of her/his purview. She/he reports to the Director of Education.

Responsibilities and Skills

● Oversee all aspects of public, private, and school guided and self-guided tours
● Develop and maintain tour and staffing schedules
● Liaise with the Group Sales Manager to schedule and staff group and school tours
● Manage the payroll and vacations through our online platform
● Develop and conduct online and in-person training modules for tour staff
● Lead public and group tours
● Work with tour staff to manage capacity and flow through the historic House
● Serve in various capacities related to running tours
● Work closely with the Collections team on issues related to the maintenance of the House and the protection of the collection
● Work with the Group Sales Manager, the Director of Education, and the Communications Department to develop promotional content for all tours
● Conduct both regularly scheduled and drop in observations of tours and tour staff
● Observe, evaluate, offer feedback, provide support, and supervise tour staff
● Maintain accurate records
● Communicate with the Directors of Education and Talent & Culture about tour staff performance, as needed
● Support the visions of the Strategic Plan and the Ford House IDEA Mission
● Realize the content and strategies outlined in the new Interpretive Master Plan (Spring 2021)
● Ongoing development of new tours and engaging strategies for diverse audiences
● Work with the Education Coordinators to develop new school tours, based on standards
● Work with the Development and Community Engagement Manager on Members’ tour programs
● Work with the Director of Education on new mobile app tours and virtual tours

Uniform Requirements

This position requires a uniform. A uniform shirt will be provided and the shirt should be maintained by the manager. All staff must have a professional appearance.

Physical Requirements

● Be on their feet and sit for 2-4 consecutive hours
● Project and modulate their voice
● Use body language and gesture to communicate
● Go up and down stairs and walk long distances
● Stay calm under duress
● Manage emergencies according to FH protocols
● Complete CPR training, certification, and recertification
● Bend and/or stoop, climb, and lift up to 25 lbs. to perform tasks that may be required in the course of museum operation

Key Characteristics/Traits

● Positive and outgoing personality
● Well-organized
● Enjoy public speaking and presentations
● Theater/acting/performance/storytelling background is a plus
● Responsible, reliable, and able to use good judgment
● Friendly, courteous, empathetic, and engaging presence with all visitors and staff, including those of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds
● Growth mindset, interest in new technologies and new approaches to visitor engagement

Qualifications/Education

● A minimum of 3 years of experience working with docents/tour guides in a museum or historic home setting
● Strong technology skills that include Excel spreadsheets, online learning platforms, scheduling software, and various online and app platforms
● Knowledge of best practices in adult learning and experience designing and delivering effective adult education
● Experience with diverse audiences
● Familiarity with educational standards and experiential learning
● Familiarity with best practices and current knowledge of accessibility practices
● Strong written, public presentation, and oral communication skills
● Strong Microsoft Office skills
● Management and supervisory experience with various feedback and professional growth models
● Experience and skill working collaboratively, across departments
● Well-developed conflict negotiation skills, problem solving abilities
● Knowledge of current audience research and familiarity with museum education theory, interpretive strategies, and visitor engagement
● A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience
● Experience researching, writing, and conducting tours
● Teaching experience is a plus

Other Job Requirements

● Successful completion of background and credit check
● Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays

Email resume, salary requirements, and application to jobsearch@fordhouse.org . Indicate in subject line

“Education Tour Manager.” Please, no phone calls.

Ford House is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an

applicant on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other legally-recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or certain state or local laws.

Posted on 2/3/2021