Museum Education Assistant

Located in downtown Auburn, NY, the Seward House Museum (SHM) fosters curiosity and promotes learning by providing an immersive connection with the past. As an anchor institution, SHM is a critical economic driver in the region’s vibrant cultural heritage tourism industry.

About the role

The Museum Education Assistant (MEA) is a new temporary, part-time, grant-supported position ideal for an emerging museum professional, recent graduate, or advanced undergraduate or graduate student in Museum Studies, Public History, or a related field. While a bachelor’s degree in these fields is preferred, current students seeking hands-on museum experience are also encouraged to apply. The MEA will report to the Director of Education and work within the SHM’s Education Department.

Responsibilities

• Train with the Education Department to learn an hour-long interpretation of the Seward family; once cleared, lead guided tours of the museum’s historic interiors and exteriors.
• Assist with group tours, field trips, and specialty extended or thematic tours of the SHM.
• Conduct admissions and retail sales using Squarespace at the museum’s front desk.
• Act as a regional ambassador by providing basic hospitality services, including promoting additional tourism destinations, offering information on parking and wayfinding, and recommending local dining options.
• Provide logistical support for museum events both on and off-site.
• Assist with the cleaning of exhibit and public spaces.
• Perform light clerical work, answer phones, and complete other general administrative duties in an office setting.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to interact positively with diverse public audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues in a team environment and demonstrate accountability, punctuality, and effective time management.
• Highly effective verbal and listening communication skills and a commitment to communicate clearly and professionally.
• Positive attitude, high level of energy and motivation, and the ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Ability to physically perform duties that require standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods, traversing the 2-acre property, navigating flights of stairs, working in storage environments, and lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds.
• Must be available to work weekends, including Saturdays and some Sundays, as well as occasional evenings for events.

Pay

$20/hour.

Schedule

Part-time (16 hours/week), seasonal position extending to the end of December 2026. There is the possibility for position renewal in 2027.