Vizcaya's Volunteer Guide Program

If you will be at least 18 years old by Fall, 2012 and enjoy meeting and working with new people the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides might be the right opportunity for you!

2012 marks the 58th year of service of the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides 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 been giving Vizcaya's visitors tours.

The Volunteer Guide position provides the rewarding 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. Vizcaya also provides Guides with ongoing training opportunities, including exclusive programs and materials.

Additional benefits include complimentary daytime admission to the Museum, discounts on select Vizcaya public programs and in Vizcaya's Café and Shop and interacting with people who share your interest in art, history, and the environment.

"The Vizcaya Volunteer Guides program has opened my eyes to what a wonderful learning tool Vizcaya is and has given me the skills and confidence to facilitate this learning process with our visitors." ~ Volunteer Guide Jo Mobley.

Volunteer Guide training sessions take place once per week over a period of six weeks. The next training series will begin in Fall 2012.

Initial Requirements
You meet the initial requirements for New Vizcaya Volunteer Guides if:
" You will be at least 18 years old by Fall 2012..
" You enjoy meeting and working with new people.
" You have access to and regularly use e-mail and have access to a printer.
" You have flexibility in your schedule and can commit to delivering an average of six 45-minute tours per month at Vizcaya, or 72 per year.
" You are able to commit a minimum of 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 give tours in English, in addition to any other language(s) in which they may guide.

How to be considered for service as a Vizcaya Volunteer Guide:
" Request an application to become a Vizcaya Volunteer Guide via e-mail.
" Submit your completed application via e-mail or fax to 305-285-2004 no later than the Fall 2012 Open House Information Session (date to be determined).
" Attend the Volunteer Guide Fall 2012 Open House and Information Session on and interview with current members of the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides and Vizcaya staff.
" Pass a standard Miami-Dade County background check (this will be facilitated by Vizcaya staff).

Additional requirements for those accepted into the Guiding Program:
" Submit a one-time, non-refundable training fee of $49 to cover the cost of materials that will be yours to keep.
" Participate in all six classes of the Fall 2012 New Guide training (dates to be determined).
" Upon completion of tour training and certification, Guides will be required to sign an annual Letter of Commitment and pay annual dues of $40 to become an active member of the Vizcaya Volunteer Guides, which includes all benefits of the program as above.
" For more information or any questions about the volunteer training program, e-mail.

Current Volunteer Guides: Schedule Link

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