A Cover Letter and at least three references is required for your application to be considered.
The Museum Program Associate serves as an informed and friendly ambassador for President Lincoln’s Cottage, providing general visitor services including leading tours, facilitating school programs and workshops, admissions, membership and retail sales, and assisting with events and projects as needed. This position is an integral part of the Programs department and reports directly to the Associate Director of Interpretation and Public Programs (ADIP).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Lead tours that actively engage visitors in thoughtful discussion around topics including democracy, leadership, slavery, compassion, self-reflection, and more.
- Engage visitors in active observation, discussion, and synthesis during programs, utilizing multi-media resources as appropriate.
- Respond to different groups of visitors (adults, school children, families) by varying tour content and techniques as appropriate.
- Serve as an ambassador for President Lincoln’s Cottage by conveying its mission, announcing current programs and initiatives, and advocating for membership to visitors.
- Assist with frontline operations, including shop retail, ticketing and site admissions, visitor orientation, answering phones, and opening and closing the museum store and buildings in accordance with site procedures and policies.
- Input visitor information daily.
- Provide exceptional customer service to all site guests and interact courteously and professionally with site colleagues.
- Assist in monitoring collections security (buildings, objects, grounds) and visitor safety, responding calmly and professionally to emergencies and promptly notifying supervisor of all incidents or unsafe conditions.
- Re-stock shop merchandise each day, as needed, helping to maintain an orderly and attractive store and an organized stockroom by keeping merchandise filled and neatly displayed, including dusting and cleaning space as needed.
- Assist with managing inventory and receiving, unpacking and ticketing of merchandise.
- Assist with order fulfillment and packing of orders for shipment.
- Attend all required meetings and scheduled training sessions and contribute insights drawn from tour experiences and visitor response. Participate actively in training programs and other opportunities in order to expand site knowledge and strengthen customer service, interpretive, retail, and development skills.
- Inform supervisor of any issues on the front line related to visitor services, tech, exhibits, museum store, online ticketing platforms, building, grounds, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Effective and engaging presentation skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to speak and read English fluently. Bi-lingual fluency (in English and Spanish or other language) a plus.
- Basic math and cash handling skills required. Experience with point-of-sale retail systems, registers and ticketing systems a plus.
- Knowledge of and enthusiasm for humanities subjects related to the site preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with culturally diverse audiences, and audiences of varying age.
- Some experience in public speaking, presenting educational or promotional information to the public, and retail, hospitality or other customer service roles. Experience working in a museum, educational, historical or cultural setting a plus.
- Basic problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
- Dependability, punctuality, and ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
- Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
- BA or equivalent work experience a plus; especially studies in history, museum studies, museum education, architecture or other topics related to specific site programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The Museum Program Associate must be able to work a minimum of 48 hours per month, with weekend, holiday, and evening availability required. Typical shifts range from 6–8 hours.
This role also involves physical requirements, including but not limited to: the ability to stand for up to 60 minutes, walk over uneven terrain, climb stairs, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently, with occasional need to lift more.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To apply, include a cover letter, resume, and three references. President Lincoln’s Cottage is accepting applications until June 9th, 2026.
EEO STATEMENT
President Lincoln’s Cottage is interested in applicants from all backgrounds and past experiences. We encourage women, BIPOC, Veteran, and all other candidates to apply. If you don’t meet every qualification listed but are excited about our mission and the work described above, we still welcome your application. We’re most interested in building a creative and talented team of staff dedicated to our work. You may still be an excellent fit for this position even if you’re missing some of the above qualifications. If there is something we can do to make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know. We will do our best to provide reasonable accommodations as possible.
Pay: $19.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- relevant: 4 years (Preferred)
Language:
- Bilingual (English & Spanish) (Preferred)
Location:
- Washington, DC 20011 (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Washington, DC 20011 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
