Docent Program Manager, Bayou Bend | Houston, TX

Austin, TX, United States

Docent Program Manager, Bayou Bend | Houston, TX Date of Job Description 1/21/2021

The Bayou Bend Docent Program Manager works with volunteer members of the Bayou Bend Docent Organization (BBDO), who provide tours and interpretation to the public of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens (BBCG). Bayou Bend, which showcases the early American decorative arts collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in the 1920s home of collector Ima Hogg, uses period room settings to display its collection and docent-guided tours and activities are a primary interpretive method for the spaces. Docent interpretation draws on American history, art history and material culture as well as the history of Texas, Houston, and the Hogg family.

The BBDO, formed in 1961, today includes approximately 220 active docents and an 18-member board and meets regularly. Bayou Bend works extensively with the BBDO, and a great deal of daily interaction and a high volume of communication is required between the docents and key staff of BBCG. The Docent Program Manager works closely with the Head of Education, the Programs Manager, the Visitor Services Manager, the Education Department’s Program Coordinator, and department interns, as well as with the docents, especially docent leadership.

Responsibilities:

With Head of Education and docent leadership, insures quality and consistency of tours and programs, and helps plan new initiatives and projects to enhance the visitor experience for Bayou Bend’s various audiences. Helps develop, evaluate, and expand tour programs and ensures that current best practices are being observed in the docent and tour programs. There are three main areas of work:

· Docent program administration, including meeting and event coordination, tour schedule paperwork and coordination, docent communications including regular e-newsletters and website updates, and financial paperwork

· Serves as primary liaison and point of contact between staff and docents

· Works with Head of Education in recruiting for, managing, coordinating technology for and teaching interpretive skills section of the annual 18-week provisional docent class.

· With Head of Education, plans and implements docent continuing education series and teaches some sessions.

Works with the Head of Education to develop and implement projects involving docents, such as:

· Special tours and activities to complement public programming

· New tour offerings in collaboration with docents, such as virtual tours and new school tours

Supervisory Responsibilities

This is a role of influence and leadership. The Docent Program Manager will directly supervise, guide and lead staff, docents and associates at Bayou Bend and around the organization. As directed, may also participate in other supervisory responsibilities including performance management, interviewing and staff selection, training and development, scheduling, and evaluating performance.

Other duties as needed by Bayou Bend and the MFAH.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

· Strong interpersonal skills will be key! Ability to work with a broad constiuency, resolve conflicts while motivating and supporting volunteer docents

· Exceptional organizational skills; attention to detail and ability to track and follow through with multi-dimensional, deadline-driven projects

· Ability to multi-task and to handle multiple requests in a fast-paced environment

· Comfortable researching, using and assisting docents in troubleshooting computer and video technology solutions

· More than a passing sense of curiosity around history and art and excitement to learn new content and skills

Education and Experience:

· Work experience with volunteers and/or community partners required.

· Informal education teaching experience preferred.

· Bachelor's degree in related field (art history or humanities) preferred OR an equivalent combination of experience and education from which comparable and demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

· 2+ years in museum or volunteer-driven arts related organization preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will be performed in varied and wide-ranging indoor and outdoor environments and conditions. Physical demands will also vary.

Ability to operate computer, printer, photocopier, fax machine, and other office equipment. Work may involve extended sitting and computer use. Evening and weekend work required including at events. Some local, regional, national, and international travel may be required.

Must be available for some evening and weekend events.

Work and Culture at the MFAH - Benefits Offered

· Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance,

· Life and Long Term Disability Insurance,

· MFAH Retirement Savings Plan (403b),

· Paid Time Off, Reserve Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Holiday Pay,

· Museum Membership and Discounts

The MFAH has extensive COVID mitigation protocols in place to provide for a safe working environment, including:

· Masks required (indoors) at all times;

· Plexiglas partitions for staff members who do not work in offices;

· Temperature checks at entrances;

· Onsite COVID testing for staff who work in close contact with colleagues or visitors;

· Sanitizing stations;

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to

race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: [email protected]

Application Process:

Please visit our site https://www.mfah.org/about/careers

Click on All Current Employment Opportunities to submit your resume or CV, cover letter and list of professional references for immediate consideration.

TAM is for Museums, art centers, historic houses and sites, children's museums, community cultural centers, zoos, science centers, university galleries, any institution, especially in Texas, that exist to exhibit and interpret the historic, cultural, artistic, ethnic, or scientific heritage of humankind.

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