Docent Program Manager [Toledo Museum of Art]

The Toledo Museum of Art

Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. More than 30,000 works of art represent American and European painting, the history of art in glass, ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian works, Asian and African art, medieval art, sculpture, decorative arts, graphic arts, and modern and contemporary art.  

To accommodate the ever growing collection and demand for art education, the Museum campus has grown exponentially since its founding. From its humble first exhibition space in two rented rooms, the Museum has grown to cover approximately 36 acres with six buildings.

Thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, the Toledo Museum of Art remains a privately-endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public—free of charge—six days a week, 309 days a year. We are closed on Mondays and major holidays.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Maintains a positive, two-way communication both individually and collectively with the Docents to build connections to the Museum and  its educational goals
• Develops, refines and maintains effective and engaging Docent communication vehicles, building on the foundation of Docent Notes
• Develops Docent understanding of TMA’s educational goals
• Plans on-going training sessions, workshops and enrichment programs for the Docents
• Works with Docents to enhance their touring skills, increase their knowledge of the collection and stay current on best practices in museum education which includes visual literacy
• Organizes, manages and supports systems that provide Docents with feedback to enhance their abilities
• Identifies Docent performance issues and provides coaching or corrective action when appropriate
• Maintains accurate individual Docent performance records, including teacher evaluations and peer observations as well as the number of hours toured
• Oversees the maintenance of a database of Docents with current contact information to be used in the preparation of the annual Docent Directory
• Submits monthly Docent Board reports
•  Attends regional and national meetings to keep abreast of current educational trends/curriculum
• Maintains accurate budget
• Acts as liaison between Docents, Curatorial staff and other TMA departments
• Oversees daily tours to ensure efficient and smooth touring
• Arranges for Museum publications and catalogs to be distributed to the Docents
• Assists in  recruiting the new Docent class
• Create the new docent class curriculum with the Manager of the Visual Literacy Curriculum
•  Trains the new Docent classes in collaboration with the Director of Education and other appropriate Education Department staff members
• Responsible for facilitating docent, school, and partnership needs for school multi-visit programs, including but not limited to:Coordinate with docent liaison and school to schedule tours; Coordinate with docent liaison and Curator of Prints and Drawings to schedule use of works on paper; Oversee all educational and logistic support materials, including ordering of supplies and art materials; Serve as Museum contact for participating schools and partnerships;Oversee implementation and execution of Ekphrastic Writing contest.

RELATIONSHIPS:  Works closely with Docents, Docent Board, Curators and the Director of Education.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in art education or related field with two years of experience in museum education; Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of the TMA collection is desirable.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to handle a varied workload, to multi-task, is detail-oriented with outstanding organizational skills and good follow-through.  Must understand the urgency of deadlines and effectively complete time-sensitive tasks.  Must be a self-starter able to identify projects/staff in need of assistance during slow periods.
• Adaptability, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Decision Making – identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
• Quality Orientation – accomplishing tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; being watchful over a period of time.
• Initiating Action – taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Standard office environment requiring regular use of phone, computer and copy machines. This position requires the ability to move throughout the Museum for extended periods, must be able to communicate verbally and work with computer.  Hours may include some evenings and weekends.

Please submit resume and cover letter via email to jobs@toledomuseum.org.

The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants.  No person shall be discriminated against I employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes  the Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace.