SUMMARY

Under the direction and mentorship of the Education and Interpretation department, the Museum Guide creates and implements approaches for helping gallery visitors have personally meaningful experiences with the historical, science, and art collections at The Corning Museum of Glass. A successful Museum Guide will incorporate the Museum’s mission, vision, and equity statement into relevant and engaging visitor-centered experiences. 

This is a part-time, year-round position.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential functions denoted with *)

Interpretation

• Work with Education and Interpretation department staff to develop and facilitate experiences of the collection and special exhibitions at CMoG for visitors.* 
• • Develop and lead tours and other learning experiences designed to meet visitor needs of all ages and backgrounds.   
  • Facilitate visitor-centered and engaging learning experiences. 
  • Engage guests with the collection through hands-on inquiry learning experiences using objects in carts. 
  • Reflect on delivery of tours and other learning experiences and implement changes to better suit the needs of guests.
  • Build knowledge of collection and visitor engagement strategies and take part in professional development opportunities as needed.
  • Collaborate with other departments when designing visitor experiences.  
• Locate and make strategic use of object and historic context research related to objects on display, including museum generated texts such as labels and web-based information.*   
• Document and, in collaboration with the Education and Interpretation department, evaluate designed experiences with visitors.*  
• Track and report Public Guided Tour numbers.*  
• Assist with programs and maintenance of education materials in galleries and around the Museum, as needed. 
• Share expertise with colleagues and participate in Museum teams as needed or requested.  
• Proactively contribute to and nurture a community of learning that consists of Education and Interpretation department staff, other Museum Guides, and staff from additional departments within the Museum.*

Customer Service

• Answer visitors’ questions about the Museum’s collection, The Studio, Hot Glass demonstrations, The Rakow research Library, and amenities as needed. 
• Comply with all Museum rules and procedures for working with the public.  
• Demonstrate cultural competency when working with all visitors. 
• Welcome, orient, and initiate guided experiences when visitors arrive.*  

Administration

• With Education and Interpretation department staff, coordinate and communicate visitor experience logistics in advance of each group's visit. Follow the checklist for school group check-ins.* 

General

• Actively and intentionally support the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.*
• Actively support the Museum’s Advancement initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience working with the public desired

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Respect and exemplify the mission, vision, and values of the Corning Museum of Glass in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public.
• Represent the Museum in a professional manner at all times.
• Adhere to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Work with people from a variety of cultures; ability to maintain an appropriate voice for diverse audiences. 
• Calmly handle stress of high customer demands in a hospitality environment. 
• Work independently and as part of a team; strong collaboration skills. 
• Work with minimal supervision while consistently communicating status. 
• Ability to learn new technology quickly and thoroughly. 
• Enthusiastically and effectively interface with the public and internal stakeholders.   
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to speak in front of diverse groups. 
• Excellent listening skills. 
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and tasks; resourceful mindset and flexible. 
• Strong ability to organize and synthesize complex information succinctly. 
• Outstanding ability to think creatively and identify and resolve problems. 
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to synthesize and make connections among various contexts, histories, disciplines, and fields. 
• Focused on quality over speed; responsive and understands a sense of urgency. 
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Foreign languages desired. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to and walk around the museum while providing tours, sit for hours at time while researching, in meetings, or in trainings and push carts around the museum when needed.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

The employee shall be fully acquainted with and comply with all safety policies and procedures of the Corning Museum of Glass.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Maintain confidentiality of information related to the Corning Museum of Glass and employees that may be encountered, either formally or informally, during the normal course of business.

DISCLAIMER

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Corning Museum of Glass as the needs of the Museum and requirements of the job change.

About The Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) was established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation commemorating the company’s 100th anniversary. CMoG is an independent not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. Welcoming more than 300,000 annual visitors from around the world, the Museum's campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the premier glassworking schools in the world.  CMoG was named by the New York Times among the U.S. museums to see for 2025, and Newsweek readers voted CMoG one of the Top 3 Best Art Museums in America.

Glass is a versatile, ancient material that is still being explored and understood by artists, scientists, and historians today. The story of glass is a story about art, history, culture, technology, science, craft, and design. 50,000+ objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection—ranging from a portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to a 200-inch telescope lens to contemporary sculpture. The Museum regularly publishes journals, educational videos and scholarly publications—many of which can be accessed online from anywhere in the world. 

We believe that prioritizing diversity, opportunity, belonging, and accessibility strengthens our Museum and enhances our ability to connect with all communities. We are actively fostering an inclusive culture that values and respects a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Creating a culture of belonging is central to our mission and helps ensure the Museum is welcoming to all.