Guides for Research

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PEM Guides for Research are volunteer docents who support the PEM mission by identifying, collecting, organizing, reading/viewing, and summarizing information supporting interpretation, education, and curatorial programs. Working individually and/or in small teams, PEM Guides for Research gather information on assigned projects, and share it in formats which may include written reports, tutorials, summaries, briefs, FAQs or other outputs.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with supervisors to establish research projects, outline the process to be used, and set interim and final deadlines
• Work independently between scheduled check-ins, Team Meetings and other events
• Evaluate information sources for quality, selecting and using the best possible sources
• Meticulously document sources through a citation process outlined by staff
• Summarize and report research in formats developed with PEM staff
• Prepare training and support resources for use by museum staff and PEM Guides in delivering interpretation and education

• Attend monthly Team Meetings, participating in sharing, peer support and conversation about effective research practice
• Participate in continuous improvement, self-assessment, and program evaluation processes led by PEM staff
• Support PEM’s educational and interpretive goals and values

PEM Guides for Research love research and information science; are willing to apply skills to many different subject areas needed by the museum, as assigned; have excellent critical thinking skills; have excellent library and online research skills; training will be provided, but some formal training in research methodology is preferred; are willing to learn and apply PEM systems and protocols for research, and supply information in PEM-approved formats; work well both independently and in small teams; can plan and carry out a research project with staff supervision and support, meeting interim and final deadlines; are able to improve constantly, responding to coaching and critique from peer guides and museum staff, and acquiring new skills as needed.

Commitment

• Complete a one-time, intensive program of 4 ( /-)3-hour sessions, sessions covering basic program skills and content, leading toward a qualifying project. Initial training is scheduled on weekday evenings.
• Attend 2-hour monthly Team Meetings to share information, receive updates, learn content, and build new research skills. Team Meetings are scheduled on weekday evenings.
• Meet with the Lead Interpretive Planner every other week, by phone, email, and/or Skype, for 15-30 minutes, to discuss progress on individual project assignments.
• Attend quarterly 3-hour meetings with PEM Guides from all four teams. Receive updates on museum activities, hear new exhibition introductions, and access other useful information. TheseInformational gatherings are offered in both weekday and weekend sessions.
• Service - Active PEM Guides for Research are expected to contribute about 5 hours per week of independent research and project summary preparation. Most of this work is done outside of the museum and is self-scheduled by the Guide. Active Guides are expected to meet research deadlines and maintain communication with the Lead Interpretive Planner on project status.

To apply, go to http://www.pem.org/about/_employment/volunteer/ and download and complete the application and email it with a cover note indicating which team you are applying for, to Ellen Soares, Docent Program Manager, at ellen_soares@pem.org or by mail to Ellen Soares, Docent Program Manager, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970.