Discovery Guide

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 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:

Discovery Guides are Part-Time para-professional educators who facilitate family learning engagement in the Museum's exhibits and through related gallery programs such as school field experiences, birthday parties, STEM demonstrations and themed workshops. This facilitation includes ensuring that the Museum's policies are upheld, that exhibits are reset as needed to accommodate visitor interactions, that visitors are safe and receive rapid first aid if needed, and that visitors enjoy their experience at the Museum.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate visitors' learning by describing, modeling, and prompting engagement with the Museum's exhibits.
• Serve as the teaching guide for visiting classrooms, leading students through the curriculum focus set for each exhibit for each age/grade.
• Serve as first responder in emergencies as they arise and call-in support as needed, including following the Museum's protocol for lost children, performing minor first aid and the associated documentation, administering adult/child CPR and the AED defibrillator as needed.
• Enforce CMH rules when necessary, and exercise the judgement required to call in management assistance when needed.
• Always provide excellent customer service and use the judgement needed to diffuse issues with disgruntled visitors or arguments between visitors.
• Throughout each day, re-stock supplies, when necessary, reboot exhibits that are not functioning properly, and call-in assistance as needed.
• Prepare exhibits, as assigned, for opening the Museum to visitors and reset them in the evenings for the next day.
• Demonstrate flexibility by working special events and rentals outside of normal work hours.
• Wear costumes, uniforms, and other special attire when necessary.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of child development (i.e., what is appropriate in terms of education and activities for children of various ages)
• Knowledge of the various exhibits as well as the activities within each exhibit
• Knowledge of CMH rules and policies
• Strong communication skills (communicate with both adults and children in manner appropriate for their age)
• Classroom management skills (able to monitor large groups and keep order)
• Dedication and responsibility
• Strong initiative
• Outgoing, positive, and energetic attitude
• Flexible schedule
• Patience, dedication, and reliability
• Ability to work independently to accomplish the Museum's goals with limited supervision.

Preferred Experience:

Previous experience working with children.

Working Conditions:

Discovery Guides must be comfortable working in an environment that is at times noisy and crowded. Discovery Guides are needed during all hours that the Museum is open to the public, which includes weekends and school holidays.

Discovery Guides are required to be on their feet for most of their shift and may occasionally be asked to lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

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 contribute our whole authentic selves to accomplish the mission of the Children's Museum Houston. 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.