Natural History Interpreter I

This is a union position.

The Natural History Interpreter I is responsible for Natural History interpretation in education programs for chaperoned groups and museum visitors. Interpretation is a mission-based communication process that builds emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meaning of exhibitions, collections, scientific research, and other museum resources. Natural History Interpreter I works collaboratively with a team of staff, contractors, and volunteers across departments in Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, as well as Carnegie Museums, to deliver excellent customer service and to help program participants and museum visitors have enjoyable learning experiences at the museum. Natural History Interpreter I participates in a rigorous interpretation training program to learn content and practice skills related to their principal job accountabilities. They also learn to give and receive constructive criticism with the goal of developing their interpretation skills and the quality of museum education experiences overall.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate coursework or a comparable level of knowledge gained through work experience or self-directed study in the humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences, is preferred.
• Work or volunteer experience in education, community engagement, or customer service is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Requires energetic and charismatic individuals who are interested in learning and teaching about how Natural History affects contemporary life.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires constant mobility around the museum (usually standing and walking), speaking and listening to program participants for several hours at a time.
• Occasionally lifts interpretive materials weighing up to 25 lbs., sets up tables and chairs, or moves materials on carts.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Trains to use interpretive techniques to conduct effective and engaging learning experiences that are grounded in mission-based content and are adaptive to audience needs and interests.

• Trains to use a variety of strategies that engage diverse learners, including basic practices for accessibility in museums.
• Trains to structure each interpretive activity as a comprehensive experience that demonstrates a clear learning goal, investigates supporting concepts, assesses learning and prompts future questions for investigation.  
• Trains to ensure that each interpretive activity is aligned with the museum’s messaging (i.e., program descriptions, exhibition content information, process, and approach to scientific research) in an age-appropriate manner.
• Trains to develop flexible content and pacing of interpretive activities to balance audience needs, interests, crowd flow, other environmental dynamics and space constraints.
• Trains to use and maintain interpretive materials and resources (i.e. specimens, touchable exhibits, furniture, storage carts, other classroom elements).

Provides excellent customer service that situates the interpretive activity within the larger context of the visitor experience.

• Trains to welcome all participants to the interpretive activity (i.e. students, chaperones, museum visitors), to provide clear expectations for participation, and to direct to appropriate activities at the conclusion of the interpretive activity.
• Trains to be accountable for specific Natural History Interpreter I responsibilities during group arrivals, tours, and other types of facilitated gallery exploration.
• Trains to be aware of and respectful towards the roles of staff from other departments during group arrivals, interpretive activities, and all other aspects of the visitor experience.
• Trains to support problem-solving with other Natural History Interpreters and across the team of staff, contractors, and volunteers who support the visitor experience.

Supports efforts to create a safe environment for all people, exhibitions, and collections in the museum.

• Trains to provide clear safety expectations for participants in the context of interpretive activities.
• Trains to use appropriate procedures in emergency situations.
• Trains to use appropriate reporting procedures for incidents and unexpected situations.

Maintains excellent communication and working relationships with staff and volunteers.

• Conducts all communication in professional and respectful manner.
• Adheres to policies about schedule changes, lateness, and absence.
• Uses appropriate communication, scheduling, and payroll tools.
• Reports any observed or experienced difficulties to the supervisor in a timely manner.

Develops skills through ongoing practice, reflection, and professional development.

• Participates in all basic content and technique trainings and demonstrates proficiency through presentations, observations, and practice tours.
• Attends meetings and other professional development opportunities that are essential to Natural History Interpreter I job performance.
• Sets personal learning goals and takes initiative to broaden and deepen content and interpretive expertise.