Guest Service Associate - Part Time

Join the EcoTarium team and help create exceptional museum experiences for every guest. As a Guest Experience Associate, you are often the first and last person visitors interact with, setting the tone for a welcoming, engaging, and memorable visit. This customer-facing role supports admissions, retail, visitor information, memberships, train operations, and other guest services while promoting the EcoTarium's mission to inspire curiosity through nature and science.

Essential Functions

• Greeting and welcoming all visitors with a friendly smile, direct eye contact, and providing information about exhibits, programs, and amenities to ensure a great customer experience.
• Provide accurate information about exhibits, events, programs, memberships, train schedules, planetarium shows, and museum amenities.
• Proactively assist guests with directions, accessibility needs, and recommendations to enhance their visit.
• Resolve guest concerns professionally and escalate issues to management when appropriate.
• Process transactions accurately and efficiently using our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Point of Sale (POS) systems in a friendly and timely manner.
• Answer visitor inquiries in person, over the phone, and via email with courtesy and professionalism.
• Assist guests during emergencies and follow all emergency policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicate intercom announcements, and follow policies and procedures for radio use.
• Maintain cleanliness in all Guest Experience Associate areas which include the Admissions Gatehouse, Ticket and Information Desk, Museum Gift Shop, Train Station, and Welcome Lobby.
• Assist with crowd control during peak times by stepping out behind the desk when needed to help navigate groups.

Non-Essential Functions

• Promote the EcoTarium events, programs, and membership opportunities to enhance visitor experience and support organizational goals.
• Support new staff and volunteers through mentoring and teamwork.
• Participate actively in all-staff community meetings, daily huddles (virtual or in person), and staff training.
• Contribute to a professional and motivational work environment by encouraging teamwork and providing positive reinforcement to team members when a job is well done.
• Other duties as needed and assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with guests from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Previous customer service experience preferred but not required.
• Friendly demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.
• Enjoyment from working in a fast-paced environment as this is a high sensory and stimulating work environment due to constant interaction with guests. Ability to remain calm and professional during busy periods is necessary.
• Be reliable, punctual, and dependable.
• Support new staff and volunteers through mentoring and teamwork.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, and must be able to work at least one weekend day, holidays as scheduled, and occasional evenings.
• Must pass CORI, SORI and background checks to EcoTarium’s guidelines.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Be comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor work environments.
• Must be able to provide a work permit if still enrolled in high school.
• First Aid/CPR Certification preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Provide exceptional customer service in both English and conversational Spanish, assisting guests with admissions, memberships, exhibits, programs, wayfinding, and general museum information.
• Assist with communicating museum policies, emergency procedures, and guest needs in both English and Spanish.

The EcoTarium is an equal-opportunity employer. We value each member of the team, and are committed to inclusion and fostering a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity, and strive for equity and universal accessibility for employees and visitors.

Pay: $17.45 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17