Tour Guide & Museum Assistant

Ghost Ranch; Abiquiu (NM); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement savings with company match

FSA

Employee Assistance Plan

Student loan assistance

Paid annual leave and holidays

Lunch provided daily

Tuition-free Ghost Ranch workshop

Job summary

Ghost Ranch seeks a Tour Guide & Museum Assistant to engage visitors with the art, history, geology, and landscapes of Northern New Mexico. You’ll welcome guests to two museums, lead Georgia O’Keeffe tours, and provide interpretation of regional heritage.

The role involves guiding tours, assisting with museum operations, and driving 10- and 14-passenger vans on-site in Abiquiu, NM. Hours are full-time, non-exempt, starting at $18/hr.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to lead walking tours 1.5–3.5 miles over rugged terrain.
• Valid driver’s license with 3+ years driving experience; CDL not required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors at the museum front desk with warmth and knowledge.
• Assist with museum store operations and purchases.
• Open/close procedures for both museums.
• Maintain clean, safe museum spaces and coordinate with housekeeping.
• Maintain visitor attendance records for tours and events.
• Communicate with guests via email and phone about visits and logistics.
• Lead regularly scheduled tours and interpretive experiences.
• Develop knowledge of Georgia O’Keeffe, local history, geology and paleontology.
• Operate 10- and 14-passenger vans for tours.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication

Public speaking to groups

Reading comprehension

Interpersonal skills

Strong organizational skills

Computer skills

Valid driver’s license

Tour guiding / museum education

Education

Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, geology, museum studies, or related field

Tools

Tour reservation software

CRM / booking systems

Microsoft Office / similar

Job description

• Base Pay $18.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Full-Time Non-Exempt

Description

Ghost Ranch is seeking an engaging, curious, and guest-focused Tour Guide & Museum Assistant to help visitors discover the remarkable art, history, science, and natural beauty of Ghost Ranch. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people, sharing knowledge, and bringing stories to life—whether welcoming visitors into our museums or leading them across the landscapes that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe.

Ghost Ranch is a historic, mission-driven retreat and education center set on 21,000 acres in the high desert of Northern New Mexico. We welcome visitors from near and far to experience awe, connection, and transformation.

Many visitors are first drawn to Ghost Ranch because of their interest in Georgia O’Keeffe, the renowned 20th-century artist who lived and painted here for decades. Our O’Keeffe Landscape Tour is a fan favorite, bringing the painted desert to life through an artist’s eyes. Ghost Ranch is also a world-renowned site for Triassic paleontology, attracting scholars and amateur paleontologists alike. Our two museums and library invite exploration—from dinosaurs and geology to ancient cultures and contemporary Indigenous art.

Description

The Tour Guide & Museum Assistant plays an important role in creating a welcoming, informative, and memorable experience for visitors to Ghost Ranch. This position supports the daily operations of both the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology and the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology while also preparing and leading tours that introduce guests to the art, history, geology, and cultural heritage of the region.

As a Museum Assistant, this role welcomes visitors, provides orientation and interpretation of museum exhibits, assists with museum operations and retail, and helps maintain clean, inviting spaces for exploration and learning.

As a Tour Guide, this role leads regularly scheduled tours and other interpretive experiences, sharing the stories of Georgia O’Keeffe, Ghost Ranch, and Northern New Mexico. The successful candidate brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine interest in helping visitors connect more deeply with this extraordinary place.

Responsibilities

Museum Operations & Guest Experience

• Welcome visitors at the museum front desk, provide orientation to the museums, and respond to questions with warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm.
• Assist with museum store operations, including helping visitors with purchases.
• Perform daily operations, including opening and closing procedures for both museums.
• Maintain clean, organized, safe, and inviting museum spaces. Perform routine cleaning such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and cleaning display cases. Coordinate with Housekeeping and Facilities as needed for deeper cleaning, maintenance, and repairs.
• Maintain accurate visitor attendance records related to museum operations, tours, and events.
• Communicate professionally with guests by email and phone regarding upcoming visits, tour information, and logistics.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to support a cohesive guest experience.
• Prepare for and lead regularly scheduled tours and interpretive experiences, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape Tour, Walk in O’Keeffe’s Footsteps, Ghost Ranch History Tour, Sketch the Morning, and the quarry walk for the Paleontology Tour.
• Lead additional walking, driving, and museum-based tours as needed, sharing information about Ghost Ranch, its landscapes, and the natural and cultural history of Northern NM.
• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of Georgia O’Keeffe, 20th-century modern art, local Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch history, geology, paleontology, and other relevant subjects.
• Engage visitors with clear, interesting, and accessible interpretation that encourages curiosity, learning, and appreciation.
• Safely operate Ghost Ranch's 10- and 14-passenger vans for driving tours and assist with the care and cleanliness of tour vehicles, including cleaning windows and vacuuming.

Special Events

• Assist the Museum Educator with activities for school groups and other educational programs.
• Help prepare for and host exhibit openings, fundraising events, community outreach activities, and other special events as needed.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to share information clearly, professionally, and engagingly.
• Comfortable speaking to and engaging groups of varying sizes and backgrounds, and able to adapt presentations to different audiences and interests.
• Strong reading comprehension and written communication skills, with the ability to learn, retain, and communicate a substantial amount of information.
• Genuine curiosity and interest in art, history, geology, paleontology, anthropology, or related subjects.
• Willing and able to work outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions. Must be physically able to lead walking tours of approximately 1.5 to 3.5 miles over rugged terrain. Ghost Ranch tours take place year-round, and outdoor conditions can include summer heat and rain, spring winds, and winter snow.
• Able to perform routine physical cleaning and maintenance tasks in museums and vehicles, including bending, stretching, and lifting.
• Valid driver's license, at least three years of driving experience, and a clear driving record required. A CDL is not required. Must be comfortable operating 10- and 14-passenger vans for narrated driving tours.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Solid computer skills and the ability to navigate tour reservation and booking systems.
• Professional experience or training in tour guiding, interpretation, museum education, or related educational fields is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, geology, museum studies, or a related field preferred, but not required.

Summary

The Tour Guide & Museum Assistant reports to the Manager of Museum, Tours and Library. This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly position starting at $18/hr. The role requires on-site work at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM, including weekends and holidays in the varied weather of a large rural property.

Ghost Ranch offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement savings with a match; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP); and student loan assistance for those who qualify. Benefits also include paid annual leave, sick leave, holidays, and community service. Lunch is provided daily in our Dining Hall and staff are encouraged to participate in one tuition-free Ghost Ranch workshop annually.

Ghost Ranch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other protected category.