WHO WE ARE:

Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, our highly respected Museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum is a nonprofit organization.

Mingei has a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and, in turn, rediscover, embrace and nurture their own creativity. The Museum is a place where all are welcome, where the community can gather, and where individuals can rest and find creative inspiration.

POSITION SUMMARY
Visitor Experience Associates (VE Associates) play an active role in inspiring a welcoming and engaging experience for visitors throughout the Museum. Cross-trained in three areas—the Museum shop, visitor orientation and ticketing, and in-gallery experience—Associates are front-line staff and first point of contact for Museum visitors. As ambassadors of the Museum’s high standards of hospitality, they are knowledgeable and passionate about Mingei’s mission, collection and exhibitions, shop products, and events.
At Mingei we strive to offer a memorable and meaningful experience to our audience, and this is only possible with the hard work and dedication of a passionate and creative team. Ideal candidates share our values of creativity, teamwork, inclusion, tolerance, and the open exchange of ideas and worldviews.

This position reports to the Visitor Experience Manager and Shop Mingei Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide exceptional customer service to every Museum guest, ensuring visitors are warmly greeted and assisted during their visit.

• Stay informed on all aspects of Museum exhibitions and events, providing orientation, wayfinding, and communicating core messages and Museum mission to visitors.

• Work regular shifts in the Museum shop. Be knowledgeable and interested in shop products, featured artists, materials, craft processes and histories and eager to share with guests..

• Assist with Museum shop upkeep, maintaining shop displays, restocking merchandise, and organizing back-stock.

• Encourage visitors’ interest and engagement in the Museum and shop to promote merchandise, ticket, and membership sales to reach budgeted goals.

• Handle point of sale operations, admission records, and daily deposits.

• Ensure safety of exhibited objects, inform and guide visitors, and facilitate interactions between visitors and exhibits.

• Report to management and security on visitor incidents and facility upkeep.

• Regularly interact and communicate with security staff, docents, volunteers, visitors, and special guests.

• Collect feedback from guests, passing on to supervisors and other museum departments as appropriate.

HOW YOU CAN BE EXCELLENT AT THIS JOB:

• Believe in and be committed to the core values of Mingei International Museum, as well as the mission and vision of the organization.

• Retail or sales experience, especially related to craft and art, a plus.

• Be knowledgeable about craft, design, and folk art. Enjoy learning and sharing this information with guests.

• Be able to improvise, multitask, and maintain a calm, welcoming presence in a busy environment.

• Ensure visitors adhere to Museum guidelines, which includes not touching or damaging the artwork.

• Be detail-oriented and organized.

• Attend and participate in Visitor Experience team meetings, All Staff meetings, and ongoing training.

YOU’RE A GREAT FIT FOR THIS JOB IF YOU:

• Have enthusiastic interpersonal skills and a passion for customer service and sales.

• Have a strong background in retail sales.

• Have an interest in craft, folk art, and design and a desire to learn.

• Have basic PC computer skills; point of sales system experience a plus.

• Are comfortable handling cash transactions and daily sales reports.

• Are available for weekend and evening hours, as needed.

• Are able to move around the galleries for an extended period of time while monitoring exhibits.

• Are proficient in a language other than English, Spanish preferred.

Applicants of all races, genders, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ages and all other characteristics that make us different are encouraged to apply.

TERM AND COMPENSATION

This position is a part-time nonexempt position, starting at $18.00 per hour. Must be available Friday evenings and both weekend days.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 – 32 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person