Lead Tour Guide at the Sargent House Museum

The Sargent House Museum is Hiring a Seasonal Tour Guide

The Museum Overview

The Sargent House Museum is a 501 © (3) museum in the heart of Gloucester’s Harbortown Cultural District.  Once the residence of Judith Sargent Murray, an early advocate for women’s rights as well as a prolific writer, it has also been home to community and religious leaders.  The 1782 architecturally significant Georgian Mansion features important examples of decorative arts as well as paintings by well known artists including John Singer Sargent, a descendant of Judith.

Position Overview

The tour guide will lead tours when the Museum is open.  The tour guide may be called upon to provide additional hours during times of SHM events.   The tour guides report to the Executive Committee.

Specific duties

• Pre-season:

  • Read the SHM Policies and Procedures guide as outlined in this document.

  • Get trained and memorize the General Tour

  • Get trained on Museum’s Procedures:

    • the Point-of-Sale terminal, currently Squareup (Treasurer)

    • Safety procedures (Treasurer)

    • Treatment of the collections (Board)

  • Read  Judith Sargent Murray  A Brief Biography with Documents by Sheila L. Skemp

  • A copy of care of collections will be provided

  • Aid in preparing the Museum for visitors:

    • Dusting, vacuuming, identifying issues to be addressed

• In-season:

  • Open the museum, per the SHM Procedures (See list of procedures)

  • Provide hospitable environment for visitors and stakeholders.

  • Perform tours

  • Perform sales transactions per the SHM Procedures.

  • Ensure the safety of the:

    • visitors

    • house 

    • collections

  • Close the Museum at the end of tour hours.

  • Report any incidents of any kind to the Executive Committee (refer to the call list in the disaster plan) on the days they occur.

  • Observe and report needed repairs or supplies.

• Post-season:

  • If available, give private tours.

The role of the tour guide is confined to responsibilities related to summer visitors. It is not within the purview of the tour guide to plan programs or make changes to the tour without the consent of the President. 

How to Apply

This position is part-time from Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples Day, and is for the Friday Tour guide starting at 11:30 am-4:00 pm.  The salary range is $19-$20 per hour.

Interested candidates should send resume to office@sargenthouse.org.

Once an employment offer has been made and accepted, the candidate will sign a letter of agreement covering roles, responsibilities, hours and wages.