Public Programs Manager

New York Transit Museum

Organization Description:

A treasure trove for transit buffs and curious visitors alike, the New York Transit Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Founded in 1976, the Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of New York’s mass transportation—from groundbreaking engineering feats and the labor of workers who carved tunnels over a century ago, to the communities transformed by transit and the ever-evolving technology, design, and ridership of a system that runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year

Position Description:

The New York Transit Museum is seeking an exceptional and transit-loving tour guide for the upcoming summer and fall seasons. The Museum’s offsite tour guides provide excellent walking tours of sites and neighborhoods in New York City on a part-time basis. We are looking for a hard-working, curious, and engaging storyteller to join our team who will bring the history of the region and its transit system to life.

The New York Transit Museum (NYTM) provides walking and offsite tours at transit sites, including Old City Hall station and in neighborhoods throughout the city. Led by the tour guide and organized and supported by tour guides and Museum staff, these tours take place over the course of the year at various times on weekdays and weekends. Offsite tours are a way for the Museum to extend its educational programming to significant locations and sites beyond its walls and offer a variety of experiences.

NYTM offsite tour guides produce, lead, and manage engaging, welcoming, and informative tours to a variety of adult audiences. Offsite tour guides lead programs developed by others and may research and develop tours as needed. They have demonstrated experience engaging with the public and managing tours, providing unique visitor-centered experiences and implementing in creative problem-solving. They have an interest in and willingness to continue learning about Museum engagement, the history of transit in our region, and related content, and are enthusiastic ambassadors of the Museum. This is a part-time position in the Education Department, reporting to the Public Programs Manager. 

Reports to:

Public Program Manager

Job Requirements & Responsibilities:

•  Serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for the New York Transit Museum, leading
  fun, engaging, and informative experiences.
• Learn existing Transit Museum content and lead walking and offsite tours on
  transit-related topics.
• Develop, research, and write new tour content and outlines for the Museum when
  needed at an additional fee.
• Become knowledgeable about and provide information to the public about the
  Museum, its programs and exhibits, and its collection.
• Correspond with Museum staff via email and attend trainings and check-ins in
  advance of tours.
• Pick up and return any equipment or materials needed for tour implementation to
  the Museum before and after tours.
• Support tours and other public programs at the Museum.
• Facilitate tours on occasion including equipment pick up and managing guest
  check-in, crowd control, group safety, debrief and part time staff.
  

Candidate Qualifications:

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience leading group tours and/or performing or teaching in non-traditional, informal education settings.
• Enthusiastic and engaging storyteller dedicated to providing high-quality, visitorcentered experiences.
• Genuine interest in the history of NYC and the surrounding region and a passion for sharing it with others. Some knowledge about transit and transit history a plus.
• Professional, responsible, reliable, and punctual.
• Experience working with diverse groups with varied interests and knowledge of tour topics.
• Superb public speaking skills and an ability to communicate effectively to large groups.
  

Position Type:
Part-Time

Union Status:
Non-Union

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Schedule:

• Offsite tour guide positions are hired on a part-time basis. Tour schedules are
  typically created for 3–4-month periods at a time throughout the year (September
  to early December, then late February to early June), with guides scheduled
  approximately 6-8 weeks in advance of tour dates.
• Currently, each tour guide will lead about 12-17 walking tours per year depending
  on availability. In addition to leading tours, tour guides will have opportunities to
  support 12-17 tours or other public programs at a lower rate.

Salary or Compensation:

• $50/hr to lead or manage tours with a minimum of four hours per tour or program 
• $25/hr administrative, training, and support rate

Organization or Project Website:

nytransitmuseum.org

Application Info:

Please email a cover letter and resume to programs@nytransitmuseum.org with the
subject Offsite Tour Guide. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those who qualify
for an interview will be contacted