Museum Guide Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Department
AI Feitler Center/Academic Initiatives
About the Department
As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities-locally, nationally, and internationally.
Job Summary
The Museum Educator, Community Engagement is a key member of the Museum's education team, who will develop, lead, and mange all community tours for the Museum. As its spearhead, this role will manage the Museum's internship program and new student gallery guide program. In addition, they will be a close collaborator with the Museum Educator, K-12, working with them to develop the K-12 component for the gallery guide program and providing support for K-12 tours and family programs as needed. Reporting to the Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education, this position is responsible for managing these two student-focused programs, integrating students into the tour offerings of the museum, maintaining effective workflows and assessment practices, and supervising student employees and interns. They will be an expert in in-gallery learning and be able to mentor and support student training.
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.
Responsibilities

• Develops and leads public tours for community groups and the general public in collaboration with student gallery guide program.
• Provides support for K-12 tours when needed.
• Provides support for K-12 Public Programs when needed.
• Develops and serves as administrative lead and manager of the Student Gallery Guide Program, which will train UChicago students to support tours and programs for community/public groups and K-12.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, evaluates, and mentors student gallery guides.
• Creates training curricula, facilitation strategies, and tour frameworks grounded in inquiry-based learning and object-centered teaching for student guides to support and lead community and public tours.
• Partners with the Museum Educator, K-12 and Family Programs to ensure students are well equipped to support K-12 school tours.
• Oversees scheduling and management systems for student guides supporting tours, class visits, public programs, and special events.
• Acts as the administrative lead and manager of the Smart's undergraduate internship program, including recruitment, onboarding, training, supervision, evaluation, and professional development.
• Develops and implements meaningful experiential learning opportunities that connect students to museum practice, arts leadership, and interdisciplinary inquiry.
• Collaborates with departments across the Museum to identify and support internship projects aligned with institutional priorities.
• Creates structures for reflection, mentorship, cohort-building, and professional skill development.
• Builds partnerships with academic departments, career services, and campus offices to increase awareness of student opportunities at the Museum.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in experiential learning, museum education, and student development.
• Partners with Registration to support the Art to Live With student acquisition program.
• Represents the Smart Museum at campus events, orientations, student fairs, and other University initiatives.
• Maintains program budgets, records, schedules, and project documentation.
• Conducts assessment and evaluation of student engagement initiatives and prepares reports on outcomes and impact.
• Collaborates with Museum staff to develop promotional and interpretive content related to student guides program and internship programs.
• Assists with grant reporting, fundraising materials, and institutional storytelling related to student engagement.
• Uses moderate/solid understanding and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries.
• Analyzes program budgets and recommends or makes budgetary recommendations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:

• Advanced degree in museum education, art history, higher education administration, public humanities, or a related field.

Experience:

• Background working in a museum, university museum, arts organization, or higher education setting.
• Designing experiential learning or leadership development programs.
• Background working directly with college students and student organizations.
• Familiar with assessing educational outcomes and program impact.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning and experiential education.
• Strong ability to build relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Excellent facilitation, mentorship, and coaching skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and fostering a workplace of belonging.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Understanding of higher education environments and the role of museums in supporting student success.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Administration & Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$62,000.00 - $66,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.