Primary purpose:

Historic Newton seeks an enthusiastic, personable, and self-motivated Museum Assistant for visitor services and special projects at our museums. Staffs the visitor-services desk of Historic Newton museums (Jackson Homestead Museum and Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds). The Assistant will perform self-directed work on special projects and train to deliver museum education content. (Projects will be determined based on the changing needs of the organization and the skills, strengths, and interests of the Assistant.)

Must be available and willing to work both weekend days.

Supervision:

Reports to the Director of Historic Newton. 

Essential Functions:

• Greet, orient, and assist visitors and callers while maintaining a safe, welcoming museum environment.
• Address routine questions from the public.
• Staffs rentals, programs, and events as well general admissions. 
• Project-based tasks which might include historical research, data entry, collections cataloging, helping to deliver educational programs, or event staffing. 
• Support the Education Manager in delivering educational and public programming.
• Performs similar or related work as required, directed, or as situations dictate. 

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience: 

Requirements include some college (minimum bachelor’s degree preferred); retail, reception, or guest services experience. Expertise in customer service principles and practices required, in a museum setting preferred. Experience in museum education, particularly teaching and implementing programs, preferred.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

The ability to work both independently and collaboratively; strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal); a well-developed customer service ethic; a working knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and databases. The ability to learn site-specific history for answering visitor questions and assisting with education groups. Knowledge and experience with basic museum functions, preferred. A strong commitment to public service is required. 

Work Environment and 

The employee must be able to work both weekend days. The employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours to attend evening or weekend events or programs. Operates computers, multi-line phone system, POS systems, and standard office equipment. Part-time position at a minimum of 14 hours per week with the possibility of additional hours. 

Physical skills and effort

Able to lift and carry heavy objects (25 pounds), reach tall storage units, and bend to items stored on the floor.

Performance Standard

Employees are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and fulfill the mission, vision, and values of Historic Newton. The successful candidate will possess initiative, attention to detail, and be reliable. 

THE CITY:
The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.
OUR GOVERNMENT:
Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.
AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

This is a non-benefited position