Docent Program Assistant

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum•Tucson, AZ

7d•$20 - $21

About The Position

The Docent Program Assistant provides direct support to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Docent Program. Docents are volunteers who interpret live animals, demonstrate educational kits, and lead tours to enrich the experience of Museum guests. The assistant supports Docent and Junior Docent training and scheduling, develops and evaluates interpretive activities, creates and maintains interpretive materials, and helps implement special events. The role serves as the staff liaison for docents on most Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. This is a part-time, 24-hour-per-week, non-exempt position in the Conservation, Education and Science Department, reporting to the Docent Program Coordinator. The pay range is $19.86–$21.02 per hour, depending on experience. An offer is contingent on clearing a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen and providing a satisfactory current 39-month driver’s history report.

Requirements

Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent in a natural history-related field and/or education.
One year of experience teaching or creating educational materials.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group settings.
Basic arithmetic skills, including working with rates, ratios, percentages, and bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions.
Knowledge of word-processing and design software such as PowerPoint or Adobe Photoshop.
Ability to work weekends and flexible hours, including evenings and holidays.
Enjoys teaching, coaching, and helping people solve problems; has a pleasant, calm demeanor and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Valid Arizona Driver’s License or ability to obtain one.
Valid Fingerprint Clearance Card or ability to obtain one.
Satisfactory 39-month DMV report.
First Aid/CPR certificate or ability to obtain one.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Sonoran Desert natural history.
Bilingual ability in Spanish.
Ability to design educational graphics for interpretive kits.
Ability to design and create three-dimensional objects for interpretive kits.
Certifications in Interpretation from the National Association of Interpretation, such as Interpretive Guide, Interpretive Manager, or Interpretive Planner.

Responsibilities

Assist with Docent and Junior Docent training.
Support day-to-day Docent operations by responding proactively to concerns, questions, problems, and complaints.
Develop, maintain, and update interpretive kits and materials for Docents and Junior Docents.
Create interpretive schedules for daily programming and special events.
Observe and evaluate Docent and Junior Docent interpretive practices.
Maintain proficiency with scheduling platforms, train Docents to use them, and resolve related problems and issues.
Recruit and coordinate Docents for special events.
Maintain current links on Docent and Junior Docent websites and file exchange.
Serve as the staff liaison for docents on most Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.