Discovery Guide

The Children's Museum Houston•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Children’s Museum Houston is seeking Part-Time para-professional educators to serve as Discovery Guides. This role focuses on facilitating family learning engagement within the Museum's exhibits and through related gallery programs, including school field experiences, birthday parties, STEM demonstrations, and themed workshops. The position involves ensuring adherence to Museum policies, maintaining exhibit functionality, prioritizing visitor safety and providing first aid when necessary, and ensuring visitors have an enjoyable experience. The Children's Museum Houston aims to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning and has been a leader in supporting student achievement and fostering a love of learning for over four decades, serving over 900,000 participants annually through various locations and programs.

Requirements

Knowledge of child development (i.e., what is appropriate in terms of education and activities for children of various ages)
Knowledge of the various exhibits as well as the activities within each exhibit
Knowledge of CMH rules and policies
Strong communication skills (communicate with both adults and children in manner appropriate for their age)
Classroom management skills (able to monitor large groups and keep order)
Dedication and responsibility
Strong initiative
Outgoing, positive, and energetic attitude
Flexible schedule
Patience, dedication, and reliability
Ability to work independently to accomplish the Museum’s goals with limited supervision.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with children.

Responsibilities

Facilitate visitors' learning by describing, modeling, and prompting engagement with the Museum’s exhibits.
Serve as the teaching guide for visiting classrooms, leading students through the curriculum focus set for each exhibit for each age/grade.
Serve as first responder in emergencies as they arise and call-in support as needed, including following the Museum’s protocol for lost children, performing minor first aid and the associated documentation, administering adult/child CPR and the AED defibrillator as needed.
Enforce CMH rules when necessary, and exercise the judgement required to call in management assistance when needed.
Always provide excellent customer service and use the judgement needed to diffuse issues with disgruntled visitors or arguments between visitors.
Throughout each day, re-stock supplies, when necessary, reboot exhibits that are not functioning properly, and call-in assistance as needed.
Prepare exhibits, as assigned, for opening the Museum to visitors and reset them in the evenings for the next day.
Demonstrate flexibility by working special events and rentals outside of normal work hours.
Wear costumes, uniforms, and other special attire when necessary.