Museum Guide

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Museum Guide Job Description

Job Title: Museum Guide

Location: American Philosophical Society (104 S. 5th Street)

Division/Department: Museum

Reports To: Deanna Johnson, Visitor Services Coordinator

Job Summary

The American Philosophical Society Library & Museum seeks reliable and friendly Museum Guides to engage, educate, and inform guests in our Museum gallery and through public programs.

The exhibition for the 2025 season is Philadelphia, The Revolutionary City which opens on April 11.

Duties Include:

• Welcoming and orienting diverse visitors from around the world while multitasking front desk and sales duties.
• Engaging with visitors about exhibition content in a friendly, accessible manner.
• Continually learning and mastering information about the current exhibition and APS history.
• Handling money (cash and Square) in a busy environment and logging inventory for sales and donations.
• Assisting with free educational programs geared towards various intergenerational audiences and facilitating activities for all ages. 
• Monitoring and light cleaning of the gallery to ensure the safety of our visitors, facilities and collections.

Job Requirements and Qualifications 

• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Must have visitor experience or customer service training (museum experience preferred but not required).
• Cash handling experience is highly desirable.
• Must be comfortable utilizing technology (Google Suite, iPads, Square Point of Sale).
• Fluency in multiple languages is a plus
• Must have enthusiasm to learn more about the humanities, sciences, education, or museum studies, specifically about Philadelphia and early American history.
• We are looking for a team-player who can contribute to a flexible team. We like to have fun, so a good sense of humor helps!
• No need to be an extrovert. We do, however, ask for personable, approachable, and friendly Guides.
• Must be able to pass background checks upon hire.

Pay and Hours:

This is a paid, part-time, seasonal hourly position, April through December (with paid training in late March/early April). The pay rate is $16/hr. Guides are scheduled 1-3 days per week depending on the time of year and program demands. Must have increased availability in the summer. Guides cannot exceed 25 hours/week.

We are looking for an individual willing to work a flexible schedule Thursday - Sunday. Museum hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm; some evenings and holidays required.

Other information:

• Museum Guides report directly to the Visitor Services Coordinator.
• Guides often stand or sit for long periods and occasionally lift boxes/heavy objects (approx. 20 pounds) throughout a single shift.
• The interview will be in person in a standard questions and conversation format.
• PA Child Abuse History Check and the PA Criminal History Check required upon hire. If you have not done these in the past, staff will assist you with the process. Any costs will be reimbursed.
• After February 9, certain applicants will be invited to interview. New team members will be confirmed by early to mid-March. Orientation and Training (both paid) begins late March/early April.