A Cover Letter and at least three references is required for your application to be considered.

JOB SUMMARY

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 Visitor Engagement Manager.

DUTIES

• 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.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, evenings.
• Ability to work a minimum of 48 hours per month.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Minimum physical requirements include but are not limited to: Ability to stand for periods up to 60 minutes; walk over uneven terrain; climb stairs; lift and carry loads of up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis and occasionally more.
• BA or equivalent work experience a plus; especially studies in history, museum studies, museum education, architecture or other topics related to specific site programs.
• MPAs are paid at an hourly rate of $17.50/hour.

BENEFITS

• Paid sick leave
• 401(k) with employer contribution after one year of employment
• Flexible work schedule
• Museum Store employee discount

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.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and three references to Jobs@LincolnCottage.org. Please use MPA Position at President Lincoln’s Cottage in the subject line. President Lincoln’s Cottage is accepting applications until April 16,2024.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Cash handling: 1 year (Required)
• Presentation skills: 1 year (Required)
• Public speaking: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)
• English (Required)

Work Location: In person