Tour Associate

Eames-Institute; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity in Richmond, CA, seeks a part-time Tour Associate to provide an engaging, educational experience for visitors. You will lead public and private tours, welcome guests, and support school and group visits, events, and programming.

Ideal candidates are strong communicators, comfortable with public speaking, and enthusiastic about art, architecture, or design. Evening and weekend availability, attention to detail, and reliability are essential; multilingual

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred in a relevant field.
• Strong communication skills and comfort with public speaking.
• Experience in customer service, education, museums, or hospitality is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead guided tours for public visitors, groups, and special guests at Richmond location and during events.
• Greet guests, check-in, provide directions, water, and coat storage as needed.
• Deliver engaging presentations tailored to diverse audiences and explain tour logistics and retail offerings.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Museum knowledge

Multilingual

Education

High school diploma

Tools

AV equipment

Job description

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world.

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, an extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses’ philosophy and invite people to explore their curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

Tour Associate

$23.00-$25.00/hour

About the Role

The Tour Associate plays a key front-facing role in providing an engaging, educational, and welcoming experience for Eames Institute visitors. This position involves leading public and private tours, supporting school and group visits, and assisting with onsite and offsite events and programming. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, comfortable with public speaking, and enthusiastic about art, architecture and/or design.

Responsibilities

The Tour Associate will be uniquely responsible for:

Tour & Visitor Engagement

• Leading guided tours for public visitors, groups and special guests at our Richmond location and at events and programming in San Francisco.
• Welcoming tour guests, including checking them in, showing them to the restroom, offering them water, taking their coats, etc.
• Providing accurate and clear information on tours, the tour experience, tour logistics and tour retail.
• Greeting and assisting visitors in a friendly and courteous manner.
• Delivering engaging and informative presentations tailored to diverse audiences.
• Preparing the retail, gallery and warehouse spaces ahead of tours.
• Processing retail transactions using Shopify, restocking merchandise, ensuring all displays are tidy and well-organized.
• Monitoring inventory levels and update the inventory in Shopify as needed.

Event Support

• Assist in the execution of public programs, community events and private functions.
• Help with event logistics, including setup, registration, guest services, and cleanup.
• Collaborate with event and programming staff to ensure smooth operations during events.
• Occasionally serve as event attendant.

Required education, skills, abilities, competencies:

• High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred).
• Previous experience in customer service, education, museums, or hospitality.
• Comfortable with public speaking and interacting with diverse groups.
• Dependable, punctual, and professional in appearance and attitude.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for events.
• Multilingual or fluent in a second language. (preferred)
• Knowledge of museum subject matter (e.g., art history, science, local history). (preferred)
• Experience using audio/visual equipment or event support tools.(preferred)

Essential Functions:

• This position is expected to be primarily onsite at the Richmond location, with occasional work at our other properties and/or at events and special projects around the Bay Area. This is a part-time role, primarily working 2-3 days per week [2 weekdays +/- 1 weekend day] with occasional evenings and weekends per event schedule. This schedule may be changed at any time at the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods. Frequent walking, standing, and moving throughout galleries, exhibition spaces, and storage areas.
• Ability to handle, move, and position fragile and valuable artifacts with care; may involve lifting items up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional climbing of ladders or use of lifts to access or install exhibits.
• Regular use of hands and fingers for detailed work, including artifact examination, documentation, and handling delicate materials.
• Extended periods of computer work for research, collections management, and administrative duties.
• Visual acuity required for close inspection of artifacts and reading fine print on labels or documents.
• May require occasional travel for exhibition planning, conferences, or collection acquisition.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. The Eames Institute may change the job duties, including the location and schedule, at its discretion.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level.