Vizcaya Volunteer Guides

In 2009, the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides celebrated 55 years of service to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Since 1954 – just one year after Vizcaya first opened its doors as a public institution – the dedicated individuals who make up the Volunteer Guides have offered tours of the Main House to the public. 

If you are at least 18 years old and enjoy meeting and working with new people the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides might be the right opportunity for you!

This rewarding volunteer position provides the opportunity to welcome and conduct guided tours for our visitors. Tours are 45 minutes in length and focus on how Vizcaya is the result of European traditions combined with an American, and very Miami, context.

As a Volunteer Guide, you will receive specialized training in museum education methodology, tour content, and facilitation techniques. Volunteer Guide training takes place approximately two times per year and class is held once per week (for three hours) over a period of six weeks. The next anticipated training series will be in January 2011.

For information about short-term volunteering, community service and service learning opportunities at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens please contact Hands On Miami.

You Meet the Initial Requirements for New Vizcaya Volunteer Guides if:

• You will be at least 18 years old by January 14, 2011.
• You enjoy meeting and working with new people.
• You have access to and regularly use e-mail.
• You have flexibility in your schedule and can commit to delivering an average of six 45 minute-long tours per month at Vizcaya.
• You are able to commit to a minimum two years to the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides upon completion of training.
• You are capable of and comfortable with giving tours in English. While Vizcaya actively recruits Guides who speak different languages, all trainings and certifications are conducted in English. New Guides are required to be capable of giving tours in English, in addition to any other language(s) in which they may guide.

To be considered for service as a Volunteer Guide at Vizcaya:

• Request an application to become a Vizcaya Volunteer Guide please e-mail us at: VolunteerGuides@VizcayaMuseum.org.
• Submit your completed application via e-mail to: VolunteerGuides@VizcayaMuseum.org or via fax: 305-285-2004 by January 12, 2011.
• Attend the Volunteer Guide Open House on (January 2011 - date to be determined) and interview with members of the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides and Vizcaya staff.
• Pass a standard Miami-Dade County background check (this will be facilitated by Vizcaya staff).
  

If accepted into the Guiding Program you will need to complete the following additional requirements:

• Submit a one time, non-refundable training fee of $40 to cover the cost of materials, which will be yours to keep.
• Participate in all six classes of the New Guide Training series (Will begin in January 2011. Dates and times to be determined).
• Upon completion of training and certification, Guides will be required to sign an annual Letter of Commitment and pay annual dues of $35 to be an active member of the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides.

For more information or any questions about the Vizcaya Volunteer Guide training program, email: VolunteerGuides@VizcayaMuseum.org

Thank you for your interest in Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
_______

Current Volunteers, click here to schedule yourself for Guiding duty!

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