JOB INFO
Volunteer and Docent Coordinator
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens,
Delray Beach, Florida
Posted: 10/28/2008
Level: Mid
Type: Permanent
The Volunteer Coordinator will manage the interviewing, placement and assessment of all the regular volunteers. They are also responsible for designing, training, implementation and evaluation of the Docent Program (a volunteer-based interpretive and educational program for public tours).
Primary Responsibilities
• Defines the organizational needs and responsibilities of the Volunteer and Docent Programs, develops, along with museum staff, volunteer job descriptions responsive the need of the museum
• Attends Volunteer Services Committee meetings and serves as committee member at all County recognition events with the Stewardship Services Associate
• Formulates an annual Volunteer Program budget
• Attends various Volunteer Fairs for recruitment purposes
• Coordinates volunteer orientation training with the Stewardship Services Associate and all potential volunteers
• Works with the Marketing department to write articles about the volunteer and docent programs for appropriate internal publications (newsletters, web) and/or provides information for press releases and marketing needs as well as submits all nomination narratives for various volunteer recognition awards.
• Develops knowledge of The Morikami’s exhibitions, collections and Japanese culture in order to develop training material and tour content
• Trains docents on The Way of Docents, Japanese culture, exhibitions and collections, including Roji-en; techniques of transferring knowledge to the public; leading and interacting with groups and various audiences; and develop a team and mentoring approach for docents to meet program goals
• Oversees volunteer activities, reviews individual performances, and reassigns or terminates when necessary
• Evaluate the volunteer program and performance of individual volunteers and docents and report on the volunteer program as requested.
• Assists in the design of tours for a variety of audiences, exhibits, collections and subject matter.
• Works closely with the School Programs Specialist on the development, content, training and conduct of school tours and the Summer Tour Plus program
• Works closely with the Reservationist on the scheduling and implementation of tours
• Reviews and takes action on tour evaluation forms in conjunction with the Reservationist.
• Establishes the daily greeter schedule and docent tour schedule, setting out appropriate forms and materials for prescheduled and public tours
• Oversees daily operation of volunteers including: maintaining records of absence; obtaining (or acting as) backup; scheduling docents for tours and special programs; monitoring the daily conduct of tours and resolving any problems relating to their conduct.
• Develops a regular schedule of monthly or periodic meetings or training for Docents; organizes and obtains speakers as necessary, or conducts training.
Qualifications
-Knowledge of principles, objectives and management techniques needed to coordinate a volunteer program
-Knowledge of rules and regulations governing the conduct and administration of volunteer personnel
-Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, volunteers, outside volunteer agencies, and the public