Museum Assistant, The Sewall-Belmont House & Museum

The Sewall-Belmont House & Museum, home of the historic National Woman’s Party, located on Capitol Hill has openings for part-time Museum Assistants for weekdays and weekends.

Museum Assistants are an important resource at the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum. They serve as public ambassadors, among the first people to directly interact with the visitors. Museum Assistants advance the mission of the Museum and provide workshops and other educational programs for the general public (children, adults, families). A positive attitude, high degree of initiative, and strong work ethic are essential for the position.

If interested, please submit the application, a cover letter and resume to Elspeth Kursh, Collections and Facilities Manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for consideration.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Prepare the House for viewing and carry out all procedures for opening and closing per the established museum checklist.
  2. Welcome and direct visitors to the exhibition galleries.
  3. Conduct subject-specific gallery talks and full length group tours for visitors of all ages in a personable and knowledgeable manner and provide accurate information relevant to the major themes in the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum history.
  4. Articulate the Museum's goals and programs, current restoration activities and future plans.
  5. Assist in providing security for the Museum and the collections. Ensure the safety of the visiting public and respond calmly and professionally to emergencies. Follow institutional procedures.
  6. Track the number of visitors who tour the Museum daily and gather additional information on how they heard about the museum.
  7. Provide feedback by soliciting written and/or verbal comments from visitors.
  8. Assist with museum shop operations and sales.
  9. Provide assistance to museum staff, including clerical work and data entry, as needed.
  10. When there are no visitors, utilize the Florence Bayard Hilles Feminist Library to strengthen knowledge of the National Woman’s Party and the women’s movement in general.
  11. Participate in training programs and other opportunities in order to expand knowledge of the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum and strengthen interpretive skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates should:

  • Have excellent oral communication skills
  • Feel comfortable speaking in front of groups and generating visitor participation
  • Be interested in women’s history, the suffrage and equal rights movement, and the history of the National Woman’s Party
  • Experience or education in history, women’s studies, art, or teaching is preferred but not required
  • Have experience working with the public
  • Be articulate, enthusiastic, engaging, and willing to learn
  • Be willing to become actively involved in the programs of the Museum
  • Demonstrate a desire and willingness to conduct programs that engage visitors of diverse backgrounds in exploring challenging issues.

The compensation for the position is $10 per hour. The number of hours of work per week/work schedule may vary. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from noon until 5:00 p.m. Museum Assistants should have a flexible schedule and must be available to work on weekends, occasional evenings, and federal holidays. Assistants must also be available to attend mandatory monthly training meetings.

Openings are also available for Event Assistants. Museum Assistants may also be scheduled as Event Assistants. Please contact the Sewall-Belmont House & Museum for additional information.