Department

ISAC: Museum

About the Department

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr., and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Asst. Director for Programs and Education and the Museum Director, and working as part of the Education team, this role involves liaising with the other members of the education team to both coordinate the volunteer program, implement new gallery tours and foster links with contemporary artists within the local community whose work has connections with the ISAC Museum Collections creating engaging community projects.

The Volunteer and Art Program Coordinator will liaise with the other members of the education team primarily to coordinate the volunteer and docent program. They will recruit new volunteers through advertising and events, maintain the volunteer schedule, plan volunteer events including the monthly Volunteer Day, and communicate with all volunteers through the Volunteer Voice monthly newsletter. In addition, they will implement new gallery tours created by the education department and will develop connections with local contemporary artists whose work aligns with the ISAC Museum collections to create engaging art programs within the community. 

Responsibilities

• Liaise with the Docent Liaison to ensure the smooth running of the docent program and other department heads who utilize volunteers.

• Advertise for volunteer and docent positions when necessary.

• Assist in the volunteer interviews and prepare all documentation relating to same.

• Ensure all appropriate references and background checks are undertaken where necessary. 

• Correspond with all volunteers via email or telephone. 

• Ensure all Volunteers are on the Volgistics platform, and the system is up to date.

• Liaise with the Youth and Family Program Coordinator and the Docent Liaison, to schedule the docents for K-12 tours through the Volgistics platform.

• Arrange the booking and administration for adult guided and self-guided tours. 

• Write the monthly Volunteer Voice newsletter, which is issued to all volunteers. 

• Ensure that all mailing lists are up to date. 

• Plan the monthly Volunteer Days. 

• Communicate details about any tour openings that are unfilled two weeks prior to the tour date to active docents, encouraging them to sign-up for those tours. 

• Help plan and facilitate docent training sessions. 

• Research and foster links with local artists within the community who have a connection to the ISAC Museum collections.

• Devise art programs that will engage with the local community, bringing a wider understanding of ISAC and its mission particularly to the South Side of Chicago.  

• Supports the planning and implementing education outreach programming and performs administrative duties in support of the program with a moderate to high degree of supervision.

• May create and coordinate dissemination of communications materials.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in volunteer management and conducting outreach and community engagement.

• Experience of working with members of the community from different backgrounds.

• Excellent teamwork and organizational skills.

• Energetic self-starter with a strong work ethic.

• Administrative experience with a high level of computer literacy.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Evidence of success in recruiting and supporting volunteers.

• Previous experience of working with volunteers in a museum or heritage environment.

• Knowledge of wider context of volunteering and best practice.

• Knowledge of working with schedules and rotas.

• Experience with visual arts.

• Experience with running community art projects.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

• Experience with volunteer management software e.g. Volgistics.

• Experience with graphic design software e.g. Canva.

• Experience with mailing list platforms e.g. MyEmma.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to handle change and thrive in a dynamic or evolving environment.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in-office presence with one day working from home.

• Standard office environment.

• Occasional evening and weekend work as required.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter

• Contact information for (3) professional references

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$19.50 - $26.88

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.

 

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