Dumbarton Historic House Docent Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: GENERAL PUBLIC DOCENT (WEEKDAY & WEEKEND)

Eligibility: Anyone interested in American history, the decorative arts, architectural history, and/or public history is eligible to apply.

Training Commitment: Docent applicants are required to complete:

  1. Three week training session focusing on tour techniques, the history of Dumbarton House, and the decorative arts of the Federal period.
  2. Three observations of experienced docent tours.
  3. Two successful practice tours observed by the Education Director.

Tour Commitment: After successful completion of training,

  • Weekday docents are expected to dedicate 2 days (9:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.) a month.
  • Saturday docents are expected to dedicate 1 Saturday (9:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.) a month.

Optional Opportunities: When needed, General Public Docents may also serve as—

  • Group Tour Docents
  • Special Event Docents
  • Public Program Volunteers
  • Docent Mentors

Responsibilities:  General Public Docents are expected to:

  • Open the visitor center upon arrival (by 10:00 a.m.)
  • Greet visitors
  • Collect admission fees
  • Provide tours to the general public every hour (alternating between docents)
  • Close the visitor center after the 1:15 tour (about 2:00 p.m.) or at 1:30 p.m. if no visitors arrive for the last tour
  • Attend monthly volunteer meetings and enrichment programs (or contact the Education Director to receive materials if unable to attend)
  • Find their own substitutes in the event of a scheduling change