Position Title: Playologist
Commitment Expectation: 15 shifts in 6 months

Assignment Supervisor: Visitor Services Coordinator Department: Visitor Services
Phone Extension: 6046 Email: volunteers@mcm.org
Last Updated: 8/15/08

Purpose
Volunteers that interact with visitors help Minnesota Children's Museum accomplish its mission through providing visitors with playful educational activities that provide additional depth and unexpected "Wow!" experiences to their visit.

Responsibilities
• Play in the Museum Galleries and in the lobby, welcoming visitors and engaging them in fun, playful experiences.
• Facilitate informal educational programs for Museum visitors.
• Assist in the process of checking-in school groups and members.
• Provide customer service and interact appropriately with visitors.
• Use developmentally appropriate terms, phrases, and concepts when interacting with children.
• Convey a welcoming, positive and enthusiastic attitude to all visitors through verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Set up, monitor and clean up any supplies, props and materials used.
• Keep all areas you work in/get supplies from neat and orderly.
• Communicate supply needs and other relevant information to your assignment supervisor in a timely fashion.
• Encourage visitors to follow Museum policies and procedures.
• Report any safety and/or security concerns to a Museum staff member immediately.

Qualifications
• Interest and skill in interacting with young children and their adult caregivers from a variety of backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with groups of people and tolerate busy or crowded situations.
• Interest in learning and practicing skills in developmentally appropriate interactions.
• Ability to maintain a high level of energy during your shift.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Training Provided
• Volunteer Orientation
• Visitor Interaction Training
• Assignment Training - specific training on how to do the activities with Museum visitors

Knowledge, Skills and Experience You Can Gain
• Activity facilitation skills and experience.
• Experience and skills providing customer service.
• Experience and skills in engaging young children and adult caregivers in activities.
• Knowledge of early childhood development, informal education and multiple intelligence theory.

Other Benefits
• Informal and formal opportunities for social interaction with visitors, other volunteers and staff members.
• One free Museum membership after 50 hours, 100 hours, and every additional hundred hours.
• Two free guest passes when you begin volunteering, and four free guest passes after you complete your first 25 hours.
• Hours award pins after 50 hours, 100 hours and every additional hundred hours.
• Invitations to fun parties and get-togethers for volunteers
• Letters of reference when requested.

Shifts Available

• Days: Tuesdays - Fridays
• Frequency: Once regular shift per week
• Shifts: Three hour shift preferred, minimum 2 hour shift
Shifts may start at 8:45 a.m., 9:45, a.m.,11:45 a.m. or 1:45 p.m.
On Fridays, an additional start time is available at 3:45 p.m.

Procedure to follow if more than 15 minutes late or if unable to work

• Notify security by calling 225-6056 and leave the following information
o Your name, phone number, and volunteer position
o Your scheduled shift