STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Museum Guide

Seasonal Worker

Recruitment #240201-5704VR-001

Introduction


Department of Economic and Community Development
Museum Guide (Seasonal Worker)


The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is seeking Museum Guides (Seasonal Workers) to be stationed at one or more of the four museums operated by the DECD: Eric Sloane Museum (Kent), Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine (East Granby),  Prudence Crandall Museum (Canterbury), and the Henry Whitfield State Museum (Guilford). 

Position Details:
The museum guides will report to the staff person in charge of the site. This position allows for a minimum of 16 hours/week to a maximum of 37.5 hour/week and requires weekend work. Individual work schedules will be determined by the site supervisor. Some holiday work will be required. Training will begin in late April and the open season will run from May through October. 

Position Responsibilities: 
  • Performing tasks associated with visitor services, including but not limited to site interpretation and group tours, retail services (including ticket sales, gift shop sales, refreshing and inventorying gift shop merchandise)
  • Social media and computer needs
  • Basic facilities maintenance
  • Seasonal workers will interact directly with visitors of all ages presenting information about the museums, answering questions, assisting with program presentation, doing basic site maintenance tasks, opening and closing the facilities, making rounds of the site for security purposes, answering telephones, handling gift shop operations and ticket sales, and working special events
  • Seasonal workers at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine will sometimes be assigned duties that require comfort with underground tunnels, caves and low ceilings. Special duties may be assigned depending on the needs of the site, including assistance with moving collections, clearing/cleaning buildings/barns, and/or assistance with research and collection management. Work hours during specified workdays may vary depending on hours of operation and special event schedule. Remaining hours may roll over at the end of the season and schedules are to be determined with the site supervisor. 
  • Seasonal workers must be able to traverse uneven terrain, three flights of stairs, and be comfortable outdoors in all types of weather; must be able to lift up to 30 pounds and remain standing for long periods of time.
"The commitment and passion that our Seasonal Workers bring to our team, is truly what makes our institutions some of the most engaging and dynamic museums in Connecticut.” – Curator Morgan Bengel



If you're passionate about museums and are looking to gain more experience in this field, the Museum Guide Summer Worker position is an excellent opportunity to pursue. This position offers a variety of experiences such as daily interactions with guests, leading tours,, and research, opportunities all while learning about day-to-day museum and collection upkeep. It's a perfect fit for those wishing to continue their museum employment experience or those aspiring to work in a museum setting.

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
For Assistance In Applying:
  • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
Important Information After You Apply:
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Hayley Newhouse, at Hayley.Newhouse@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class performs tasks and duties of a seasonal nature by providing services to clients or the public.

Work areas covered by this class shall include the assignments and hourly rates as listed below:

 Assignment Minimum Hourly
Rates 
Maximum Hourly
Rates 
 General  $15.69  $17.00
 Patient Care Service  $15.69  $17.00
 Maintenance  $15.69  $17.00
 Laboratory Assistant  $15.69  $17.00
 Recreational Aide  $15.69  $17.00
 Transportation Services (Bus Driver)  $15.69  $17.00
 Tourist Information Clerk  $15.69  $17.00
 Specialized Recreational Services  $15.69  $17.00
 Tourist Information Coordinator  $15.69  $17.00
 Information Technology System Analysis  $19.00  $22.00
 Professional Engineering  $19.00  $22.00
 Legal  $19.00  $22.00

Minimum and maximum hourly rates will be subject to the following criteria:

  • Returning Seasonal Workers may receive $.50 an hour additional compensation for each season of service up to the maximum hourly rate.

OR

  • Experienced workers in the specific functional area with another employer may be credited with such time on an equivalent basis to seasons worked and granted the same additional compensation up to the maximum hourly rate.
OR

  • Undergraduate or graduate students may be granted additional compensation of up to $.50 more per hour (up to the maximum hourly rate) for each full year of completed education on the basis of 30 semester hours equaling one (1) year.
NOTE: Determination of hourly rate is based on the above criteria. Additional compensation is based on only one criteria. It is not intended for individuals to receive additional compensation through application of the multiple criteria listed above.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

See attached Addendum

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • principles, practices and procedures of assigned specialty; 
    • operation of equipment, materials and activities of assigned specialty; 
  • Knowledge to degree necessary for dealing with and understanding an individual’s behavior; 
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • techniques of assigned specialty skills; 
  • Ability to
    • assist individuals in self-care habits, personal hygiene and proper social conduct where applicable; 
    • understand and carry out written orders and oral instructions; 
  • Adequate physical strength and stamina to perform duties; 
  • Some positions may require supervisory and/or leadership abilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any experience and training that could reasonably be expected to provide the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working at any of the four museums operated by the Department of Economic and Community Development (Eric Sloane Museum, Old New-Gate Prison and Copper Mine, the Prudence Crandall Museum, or the Henry Whitfield Museum) 
  • Experience as a paid staff member at a museum 
  • Experience operating a Point of Sales system 
  • Experience working with children in a school
  • Experience leading informational tours 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class assigned to recreational activities must be able to perform emergency first aid as needed and certain positions will require a current Standard First Aid Certificate.
  • Incumbents in this class assigned as bus drivers or operate a motor vehicle must possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator License to drive a bus and/or a Motor Vehicle Operators License as necessary.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.