JOB TITLE: Part-Time Museum Visitor Services Attendant
DEPARTMENT: Visitor Services
CLASSIFICATION: Hourly (non-exempt), Part-time / flexible
BARGAINING UNIT: Teamsters Local 231
WAGE: $21.72 per hour
BENEFITS: PTO and paid holidays
JOB SUMMARY: The Whatcom Museum Foundation is excited to announce that we currently have an opening for a Part-time Visitor Services Attendant. The Whatcom Museum, located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, in the heart of Bellingham’s downtown Arts District, is currently accepting applications for a Part-time Visitor Services Attendant. We are an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited museum and a Smithsonian Affiliate with a focus on Art, Natural History, and Pacific Northwest History with a campus of three buildings, including the historic Old City Hall, the Leed Certified Lightcatcher Building, and the Old Fire Station #1. The Whatcom Museum Foundation is a non-profit organization entrusted with operating the Whatcom Museum and caring for the collection which contains more than 200,000 artifacts and art works of regional importance, including a vast photographic archive. The Whatcom Museum offers a variety of exhibitions, programs, tours and activities about art, nature, and Northwest history for all ages.
As the first point of contact for patrons of the Museum, this Part-time Visitor Services Attendant position plays an important role in maximizing the Museum Visitor’s experience. This position is with the Not-for-Profit Museum Foundation and is a part-time, flexible position. Typical shifts range from 3 to 5.5 hours. We are currently offering 10-15 hours per week, with the opportunity for more hours covering team absences. Shifts include both weekdays and weekends, primarily afternoons with the occasional late morning.
This position has a wide range of duties, including (but not limited to) welcoming visitors, providing information and assistance, processing admissions and memberships, and maintaining the security of the galleries and building to ensure artwork and historic items are protected and that visitors follow museum rules. Additionally, this position may occasionally assist in the Museum Store or Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) by covering scheduled meal breaks, and by covering entire shifts when needed.
Qualified applicants should have a passion for art, nature, and Pacific Northwest history – along with exceptional customer service skills. Cashier or related cash handling experience, and / or security-related work is preferred. Coursework in art, art history or local history is desirable.
If you are qualified and are interested in making a difference for art and history in our community, we want you on our vibrant, dynamic Whatcom Museum team!
Learn more about us, and this position at https://www.whatcommuseum.org.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter, including your availability, via email to [email protected].
Whatcom Museum Foundation is a 501©(3) organization and an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture and workplace well-being.
Museum Background: The Whatcom Museum is a multidisciplinary institution focused on art, nature, and Northwest history, and located in beautiful Bellingham, Washington. Our three-building campus is sited on the ancestral homeland of the Coast Salish People. The Museum works actively to build an inclusive environment and values all people. The Museum is committed to assembling a staff with a multitude of viewpoints and perspectives that help us relate and communicate to all members of our diverse community. Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Decolonization stand at the forefront of the work we do. In creating authentic and meaningful experiences for all, we hope to inspire a love for history, spur creative engagement in art, and instill respect for our shared natural world. Nature of Work:
The Museum Visitor Services Attendant is the first point of contact for patrons of the Museum. Greets and welcomes visitors, provides information, directions and assistance, processes admissions and memberships, maintains the security of the galleries and buildings, ensures the artwork is protected and visitors follow museum rules. Provides telephone reception and performs clerical duties as assigned by supervisor.
Supervisory Relationships:
Reports to the Membership and Visitor Experience Supervisor. Receives assignments and has work reviewed by the Membership and Visitor Experience Supervisor. Works independently under the guidance of Museum policies and procedures, adhering to all relevant city, state, and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Essential Duties:
1. Welcomes museum visitors, provides information about museum exhibits, events, and offerings. Maintains knowledge of current exhibitions, the Museum, and local history by utilizing appropriate resource materials. Answers questions pertaining to the Museum and exhibitions. Refers inquiries to proper staff as needed or, in their absence, handles inquiries, referrals or problems as they arise. Aids groups or individuals with special needs.
2. Answers telephones and takes messages or routes to appropriate staff.
3. Accurately maintains secure cash drawer, reconciling and closing out cash drawer daily. Processes admission, membership, and special ticketed event transactions. Handles advanced transactions including partial and full refunds. Maintains change bank and makes change for other cash drawers.
4. Monitors and provides security of Museum buildings and contents. Tours gallery areas continuously to prevent theft and vandalism. Monitors objects in galleries. Identifies and responds to special security and custodial needs, including performing occasional custodial tasks to ensure cleanliness and safety for facility users. Monitors closed circuit TV surveillance system. Responds to security or emergency situations directly or by contacting appropriate staff, law enforcement or other emergency personnel as necessary. Responsible for building evacuation and notification of staff during an emergency.
5. Sells admissions and memberships to visitors; maintains knowledge of membership levels and benefits. Converts admission to discounted membership and other upselling of membership opportunities.
6. Maintains pamphlet/information files for distribution to the public. Provides printed informational materials and verbal information to visitors on city and county areas of interest, the Museum, membership, etc. Maintains information board and prepares signs for special events.
7. Provides clerical support to Museum staff including assisting with preparation of documents such as folding brochures, copying, collating, and faxing, filing, photocopying, basic data entry and assisting with special projects.
8. Works under direction of management staff to accomplish miscellaneous tasks such as moving objects and furniture, as directed.
9. Performs regular cleaning duties of doorknobs, handrails, and other high touch surfaces.
Additional Work Performed:
1. Performs reception and security functions for evening meetings and special events.
2. May assist in providing basic training and new hire orientation to other Regular Attendants and Gallery Attendants.
3. Lead duties may be assigned on a rotating basis.
4. May assist in the Museum Store or Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) by covering scheduled meal breaks, and by covering entire shifts as needed.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Desired Characteristics (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
· Ability to work as a team member and project a positive attitude.
· Ability to deal with the public and co-workers using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
· Ability to read, understand and retain written information pertaining to the Museum, local history, and exhibits.
· Ability to gain knowledge of resource materials related to art and regional history and to utilize these resources effectively.
· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
· Working knowledge of and ability to clearly explain museum policies and procedures.
· Ability to respond to security or emergency situations calmly and with good judgement.
· Ability and willingness to work a varied schedule including both mornings and afternoons, weekends, and some evenings.
· Ability to do repetitive work quickly, accurately, and with close attention to detail in an atmosphere of frequent interruptions.
· Knowledge of basic math skills including ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide with accuracy.
· Basic computer skills including familiarity with database entries and Microsoft Office Suite.
· Ability to learn Point of Sale and CRM systems to process transactions including handling of advanced transactions.
· Physical ability to operate a cash register, accurately and rapidly exchange money, and record transactions.
· Ability and willingness to demonstrate the Public Service Competencies of Service Orientation, Results Orientation, and Teamwork and Cooperation.
· Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job including:
o sitting or standing for long periods of time.
o visual acuity to read a computer screen and a typeset page.
o fine finger dexterity to operate a cash register and computer keyboard and mouse, etc.
o occasionally lifts up to 30 pounds.
Working Environment:
Works is primarily conducted indoors in a climate controlled and secured building. May be seated at a desk or moving about within the galleries.
Experience and Training Requirements:
· High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
· Minimum one-year work experience involving extensive interaction with the public required.
· Experience as a cashier or related cash handling experience preferred.
· Experience performing security-related work preferred.
· Coursework in art, art history or local history desirable.
Necessary Special Requirement:
· Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check.
· First Aid and CPR certification or ability to secure within six months of hire.
· Willingness and ability to work a varied schedule including weekends and evenings.
Pay: $21.72 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
