Community Outreach Discovery Guide

Job Description

Job Description

The mission of the Children’s Museum Houston is to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children in Greater Houston.

For more than four decades, Children's Museum Houston has supported student achievement, empowered parents, and ignited a life-long love of learning. We are consistently rated as one of the top children's museums in the nation. Our programming serves more than 900,000 participants annually at the Museum, at the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, and at the 270+ outreach locations across Greater Houston. We welcome families with offerings that include 13 exhibits, a performing arts series, a full slate of cultural programming, science activities led by degreed educators, and weekly Free Family Nights. 

Job Summary:  

Children’s Museum Houston (CMH) seeks a Community Outreach Discovery Guide to facilitate family learning engagement at Children’s Museum Houston’s partner sites in the community and through related programs such as school-based Family Learning Events, afterschool programs and festivals. The Community Outreach Discovery Guide will also have a passion for creating a fun, engaging, and memorable environment that excites children and families, ensuring they are inspired while learning through hands-on activities. This facilitation includes ensuring that the Museum’s policies are upheld, that the activities are delivered and guided as needed for event participant interactions, and that event participants enjoy their experience at Museum-sponsored events.

  Job Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Support the facilitation of Community Outreach activities including, but not limited to school-based Family Learning Events, as well as activities at community events and festivals, afterschool and summer camp programs, etc.
• Assist with the setup of activations (preparing stations at events and programs with materials and signage) and with the breakdown at the close of events.
• Effectively engage participants at events and facilitate their learning by describing, modeling, and prompting engagement with the Museum’s activities. 
• Monitor and re-stock supplies when necessary, ensuring participants always have the resources they need for an enriched learning experience.
• Assist the Outreach team with tasks related to planning and preparing for events when needed.
• Be aware and sensitive to the different cultural backgrounds of the families we serve.
• Collect evaluations and sign-in sheets for all events.  
• Share information with program participants about other Museum offerings and direct them to appropriate Museum personnel for additional information. 
• Serve as a guide and mentor when new Outreach Discovery Guides are onboarded and demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of CMH’s mission
• Enforce CMH Outreach Events rules when necessary, and exercise the judgment required to call in the event lead’s assistance when needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work at various locations around the Greater Houston Area, including Children’s Museum Houston and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center.
• Demonstrate flexibility by working at CMH during peak hours and special events outside of normal work hours.
• Uphold CMH’s values and culture of excellent service at all times and use the judgment needed to diffuse issues with disgruntled participants or arguments between participants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills (communicate with both adults and children in a manner appropriate for their age)
• Positive and energetic attitude
• Patience, dedication, and reliability
• Detail-oriented and a team player
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends.
• Ability to travel throughout the city and region to present Community Outreach programming in a variety of settings.
• Has reliable transportation.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.

Education:

• High school diploma
• Some college (currently enrolled and working towards a degree)

Experience:

• Previous experience working with children.

Physical Requirements:

• Pushing/pulling cart and dolly
• Bending at knees
• Stooping/climbing
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.

We believe in creating an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion, without bias. We know we are better when we are developed, engaged, and able to bring our whole authentic selves to work. Our people are trusted experts. We invest in the health and well-being of our workforce, train, and reward talent, and develop leaders at all levels to bring out the best in each other. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.