Estate Guide

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library encompasses an unrivaled museum of American decorative arts in its mansion and galleries and a magnificent 60-acre naturalistic garden—all set on 1,000 gorgeous acres.

Winterthur employs a wide array of positions in the areas of curatorial, horticulture, education, conservation, library, maintenance, marketing, development, technology, and administration.

Winterthur offers a unique and rewarding experience that is rich in culture and natural beauty. Winterthur considers its employees and volunteers to be among its greatest assets and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute their specific skills to its mission “to inspire, enlighten, and delight all of its visitors while preserving and enhancing [Winterthur]” and also uphold its core values of agility, excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusion, and transparency.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Manager of Tour Programs, the Estate Guide uses excellent customer service and presentation skills to lead narrated tram tours of the garden and estate, guide garden walks, and provide lightly interpreted estate shuttle transportation. Providing visitors access and connection to the garden and estate, and creating a positive and memorable experience for Winterthur visitors is a priority.

Estate Guides are expected to continually engage in training opportunities, including a monthly meeting and to keep current on the changing garden collection. Learning opportunities provided will focus on connecting a diverse audience, incorporating themes from the museum to provide a holistic interpretation. 

The Estate Guide will represent Winterthur to the public in a gracious, courteous and responsible manner, being mindful of visitor safety and comfort at all times. When needed all Estate Guides will serve as lead guide, coordinating daily tram and shuttle bus operations.

Compensation: $16.47 per hour

Benefits: 403b with employer match for eligible employees; discounts in the museum store and cafe; free general admission for you and your immediate family

Work Schedule:  Variable – weekday and weekend, occasional evening, early morning, and holiday work required. Work is usually performed during the hours of 9:00 am -5:30 pm. Occasional early morning and evening assignments will be assigned. Estate guides should be available to work at least 15 weekdays and 6 weekend days per month, March-December.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide excellent visitor service and understanding of Winterthur by welcoming visitors, meeting their needs for orientation, interpretation, comfort, and safety.
2. Provide interpretation of the garden and estate that suits various ages, abilities and interest levels, including via:
   • Narrated tram tours, which include driving up to 24 people in an open air tram along predetermined routes for up to 45 minutes while sharing approved interpretation via a public address system, hearing and answering questions, and suggesting other opportunities available to visitors.  
   • Narrated shuttle transportation, which include driving up to 20 people in a timely manner on a predetermined route to their various destinations while providing light orientation to the property, answering questions, and promoting daily offerings.
   • Guided walking tours of up to 90 minutes for general and specialist audiences, and school garden programs; some of which will have pre-determined interpretation, others will require the guide to determine best places to go and topics to discuss based on visitor interests. 
3. Provide occasional transportation for weddings and special events, which at times will be narrated, and may occur at night.
4. While driving on the property, the Estate Guide keeps an eye out for visitors who may require assistance, inclement weather, road hazards or safety/security obstacles, or any other unusual situations and circumstances, and, as needed, notifies Public Safety Dispatch and Supervisor via two-way radio.
5. Serve as lead guide as assigned. The lead guide is current to the day with latest news about the garden, guide staffing, activities occurring on the property, and vehicles in the rotation.
6. Complete vehicle checklist provided to conduct a pre-/post-shift visual inspection of Winterthur Estate vehicles and complete a Daily Vehicle Report in a clear concise complete manner for each vehicle in service.
   • Inspect vehicles for routine maintenance needs: cleanliness, interior or exterior damage, safe tire pressure.
   • Take in and out of storage, check gasoline levels and fill as needed.
   • Immediately report critical problems to supervisor or mechanics.
7. Participate in all required training
   • Initial training course of approximately 100 hours
   • Refresh and update knowledge by attending required periodic training sessions.
8. Stay current with program communication via Winterthur-provided e-mail or portal announcements.
9. Perform other administrative, guiding or driving related duties as needed and requested by Supervisor

Minimum Experience: HS diploma or equivalent with 1-2 years’ experience in teaching, visitor service or tour industry with a talent for public speaking

Preferred Experience: Commercial driving experience

Knowledge/Skills:

Excellent visitor engagement, oral communication and interpersonal skills. Welcoming demeanor and ability to interact well with guests of all ages and abilities. 

Knowledge of Winterthur garden and estate history. Must be familiar with and abide by all written materials provided during initial and subsequent training sessions and be able to give directions to specific areas on site or point out areas of interest. 

Basic understanding of landscape design, plant materials, plant identification and horticultural practices. 

Skilled in creative interpretation, that inspires and engages visitors through compelling stories with broad themes of history, the environment, the Winterthur Story and the garden collection.

Able to maintain authority and appropriate assertiveness in ensuring that tours are conducted in accordance with Winterthur’ safety protocols, stay on time and on track, and safely direct visitors during an emergency.

Problem solving and flexibility in face of guest, weather, and institutional demands.

Knowledge of basic operation of motor vehicles is required. Able to operate trams and shuttle buses efficiently and safely including night driving. Defensive driving certification will be required as part of training.

Ability to understand and follow safety procedures, and written and verbal instructions.

Ability to complete basic reports, both handwritten and in Microsoft Word

Essential Functions:

Valid Driver’s License free of any moving violations, and ability to successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course.

Driving 30-foot 24-passsenger garden trams and 20-passenger shuttle buses along an established route that may be changed due to weather, road conditions, or events.

Opening and closing garage doors on dairy barn

Occasionally loading or unloading a guest who uses a wheelchair. Ability to work with another staff member lowering and raising a 50-pound hinged wheelchair ramp. Ability to position an occupied wheelchair onto a ramp or lift, and to bend and kneel to fasten and unfasten restraints.

Working outside in adverse weather conditions.

Ability to step 12” into and out of tram.

Able to speak and hear in a normal range in order to answer guest inquiries

Able to safely drive at night.

If assigned to a garden walk, must be able to lead 90-minute walks, including walking securely over hilly terrain, on a variety of surfaces, and going up and down stairs, while interpreting.

Ability to communicate via email, with appropriate training provided by Winterthur