What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visitor Services Associate (Part-Time) position at Portland Art Museum?
Company Description
Hello, art person! We’re so glad you’re here.
When you think of an art museum, you might picture paintings or sculptures. But art is so much more than the “traditional” forms you’re used to seeing in galleries. Nobody knows that better than Portland. Our city is bursting with all kinds of art forms–from craft beverages and comic books to artisan chocolate and collectible sneakers. There’s no one way to make art, and there’s no one way to be an art person.
That’s why you belong here. We’re a place that has room for all kinds of art (and art people).
We are a dynamic institution with multiple locations. Adjacent to the Museum campus in downtown, Portland, PAM CUT // Center for the Untold Tomorrow is an inclusive, modern, and welcoming hub serving a broad range of artists and audiences across all media art. Also nearby is the nonprofit Rental Sales Gallery representing regional artists. Across the river, in SE Portland PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater embraces cinematic storytelling in all its form through unique one-night-only events.
Job Description
The Visitor Services Associate role at the Portland Art Museum serves as the first point of contact for Museum visitors and plays a vital role in creating a warm, welcoming experience. The VSA greets guests, assists with admissions, sells tickets, promotes memberships, and provides information to enhance the visitor experience. Additional responsibilities include answering the main telephone line and responding to email inquiries.
In this role, you will
Job conditions & physical activities
Benefits
Ready to join our team? To be considered please submit your resume, cover letter, and four references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.
Application deadline
We will begin reviewing applications immediately, so please apply as soon as possible. The closing date is subject to change at any time.
Hello, art person! We’re so glad you’re here.
When you think of an art museum, you might picture paintings or sculptures. But art is so much more than the “traditional” forms you’re used to seeing in galleries. Nobody knows that better than Portland. Our city is bursting with all kinds of art forms–from craft beverages and comic books to artisan chocolate and collectible sneakers. There’s no one way to make art, and there’s no one way to be an art person.
That’s why you belong here. We’re a place that has room for all kinds of art (and art people).
We are a dynamic institution with multiple locations. Adjacent to the Museum campus in downtown, Portland, PAM CUT // Center for the Untold Tomorrow is an inclusive, modern, and welcoming hub serving a broad range of artists and audiences across all media art. Also nearby is the nonprofit Rental Sales Gallery representing regional artists. Across the river, in SE Portland PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater embraces cinematic storytelling in all its form through unique one-night-only events.
Job Description
The Visitor Services Associate role at the Portland Art Museum serves as the first point of contact for Museum visitors and plays a vital role in creating a warm, welcoming experience. The VSA greets guests, assists with admissions, sells tickets, promotes memberships, and provides information to enhance the visitor experience. Additional responsibilities include answering the main telephone line and responding to email inquiries.
In this role, you will
- Provide exceptional service to visitors and uphold an environment that is welcoming, friendly and approachable
- Proactively interact with guests by providing information regarding programs, events, exhibitions, films, membership, ticket availability and campus layout
- Sell tickets, memberships and gift cards
- Scan tickets and facilitate the admission process for museum exhibitions, programs, and special events
- Collect contact information from visitors that is required for marketing and reporting purposes
- Perform cash drawer reconciliation at beginning and end of each shift
- Provide visitors with accessibility equipment and instruction in its usage when needed
- Answer museum phone calls and emails to provide assistance with ticketing inquiries and general information
- Welcome and orient groups
- Provide assistance with self-serve lockers and coat and bag check when needed
- Collect visitor feedback, comment cards and conversations
- Actively approach Museum visitors to ask for participation in onsite surveys
- Stocking brochures and maps
- Uphold all museum rules and the tenets of the Visitor Agreement
- Maintain an orderly shared workspace
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Attend all required Visitor Services meetings and training opportunities to stay informed on exhibitions, current best practices, policies and procedures
- Deescalation training
- Altru CRM/Database and ticket sales training
- Lightspeed training
- Minimum 1 year of previous experience in a high traffic customer service setting; hospitality, retail, attractions or cultural organizations
- General familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Google platforms
- Experience with point of sale systems and cash handling
- Enthusiasm for helping people and for the Museum’s mission and vision
- Must possess excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable with presenting information and making announcements to large and small groups of people in a public setting
- Be respectful of diverse identities
- A desire to engage with all visitors
- Identify and positively resolve visitor issues in the moment; strong decision making and judgment skills necessary
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques
- Must use discretion with confidential information
Job conditions & physical activities
- Schedule/Hours: This is a 20 - 26 hours per week position. Shifts will typically fall within Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. This position requires working weekends, occasional holidays, evenings and special events as necessary.
- Overtime as needed
- Works with technology to facilitate the admission process and provide customer service, including computers, ipads, scanners, two-way radios and headsets
- Remaining stationary for prolonged periods of time
- Occasional lift/carry/push/pull up to 20 lbs (items such as bags, coats, boxes of brochures, gallery stools, stanchions, wheelchairs and signage)
- Frequent typing and repetitive motion on keyboard
- Frequent listening and conversing to visitors and callers
- Frequent reaching for handouts, brochures and checked items
- Frequent repetitive motion when typing
- Frequent grasping and handling of objects such as admission tags, receipts, pens, computer mouse, papers and money, bags and coats
- Frequent visual checks to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of paperwork
- Provide accessibility equipment when needed
- Regular cleaning of admission tags and accessibility devices
Benefits
- This role is non-exempt and part-time
- The budgeted compensation falls within pay grade B ($16.30 minimum - $18.28 midpoint - $20.26 maximum), based on experience
- Shift differentials (for hourly/non-exempt staff working onsite):
- Evening hours (6:00 pm-12:00 am) will be paid an additional $1.00 per hour
- Night hours (12:01 am-6:00 am) will be paid an additional $2.00 per hour
- Retirement plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- Employee perks and discounts
Ready to join our team? To be considered please submit your resume, cover letter, and four references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.
Application deadline
We will begin reviewing applications immediately, so please apply as soon as possible. The closing date is subject to change at any time.
Salary : $16 - $20