Front Desk Playworker

POSITION/TITLE: Front Desk Playworker

SUPERVISOR: Visitor Experience Director

HOURS: Part Time or full time, up to 32 Hours Per Week

ABOUT WONDERTREK CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

WonderTrek Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Baxter, Minnesota, serving Region 5, including Crow Wing, Cass, Todd, Wadena, and Morrison counties. WonderTrek is led by a dedicated Board of Directors, passionate staff, and an experienced Museum Project Director.

WonderTrek is on a mission to bring back everyday play. Play is a vital part of healthy development and a vibrant community. WonderTrek’s creative spaces enable children to imagine, experiment, and develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, empathy, decision-making, and teamwork – all while having a blast. WonderTrek Children’s Museum celebrates children’s joy of play and the wonder of learning. In a world where free play and exploration are disappearing, WonderTrek inspires learning through hands-on adventures. Designed for children 12 and under, their families, caregivers, and educators, it’s a place where children lead, parents recharge, and families reconnect.

WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure is finally becoming a reality, set to open Fall 2026! Consisting of 9-acres of interactive exhibits, WonderTrek’s Outdoor Adventure creates a place where children explore, play, and let their imaginations run wild. To further our reach, WonderTrek on Wheels brings the joy of learning through play to children and families across North Central Minnesota. From community parks to classrooms, corporate events to summer festivals, the WonderTruck and Trailer deliver hands-on fun and unforgettable adventures.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Front Desk Playworker, you will be the first face guests see when they arrive at WonderTrek and an important part of creating a welcoming, organized, and positive visitor experience. You will greet guests, process admissions and memberships, answer questions, assist with equipment checkout, and help families feel comfortable and prepared to explore WonderTrek.

Front Desk Playworkers must be warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and able to manage multiple responsibilities in a busy family environment. This position serves as a central communication point for guests and staff while helping ensure that admissions, equipment, visitor information, and front desk operations run accurately and smoothly.

Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Warmly greet and welcome every guest, helping establish a positive first impression of WonderTrek.
• Answer incoming phone calls professionally, respond to questions, provide accurate information, and direct inquiries to the appropriate team member as needed.
• Check guests in and accurately process admissions, memberships, program registrations, discounts, and other transactions using Roller, WonderTrek’s point-of-sale and visitor management system.
• Become proficient in Roller and follow established procedures for guest accounts, payments, waivers, refunds, discounts, memberships, and daily transaction records.
• Handle cash, credit card, and digital transactions accurately and follow established cash-handling and end-of-shift reconciliation procedures.
• Monitor the general information email account, respond promptly to guest inquiries, and forward messages to the appropriate team member when necessary.
• Clearly communicate WonderTrek’s hours, admission options, memberships, programs, site expectations, accessibility information, and available visitor amenities.
• Orient arriving families to the campus, including outdoor play areas, the Outfitter’s Studio, restrooms, hydration areas, first aid resources, and equipment availability.
• Answer guest questions and respond to concerns with patience, professionalism, and sound judgment. Seek support from a supervisor when a situation requires additional authority or assistance.
• Check recreational and play equipment in and out, explain applicable safety expectations, and verify that required waivers or agreements have been completed.
• Inspect returned equipment for cleanliness, damage, missing components, or maintenance needs before returning it to circulation.
• Maintain accurate equipment, supply, and retail inventory records and promptly communicate low stock, damage, loss, or replacement needs.
• Keep equipment, admission materials, office supplies, radios, forms, and front desk resources organized, labeled, stocked, and easily accessible.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and welcoming admissions and entry area throughout the day.
• Monitor the entrance and exit areas and remain attentive to guest flow, capacity, and safety concerns.
• Communicate effectively with Playworkers and leadership regarding arriving groups, memberships, special events, visitor needs, incidents, lost children, and other operational concerns.
• Assist with field trip, group, birthday party, and special-event check-in as assigned.
• Protect guest information and maintain appropriate confidentiality when handling personal information, payment details, waivers, and membership records.
• Collect and share guest feedback, questions, and recurring concerns to support improvements to WonderTrek’s operations and visitor experience.
• Follow emergency, incident-reporting, child-safety, first-aid, and evacuation procedures.
• Support the Playworker team and daily museum operations during slower front desk periods, while ensuring the desk remains appropriately covered.
• Represent WonderTrek professionally and positively in all interactions with guests, volunteers, partners, and team members.
• Arrive on time and prepared for each shift, maintain reliable attendance, and complete opening and closing responsibilities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Previous experience in customer service, front desk operations, admissions, retail, hospitality, or a similar setting.
• Comfortable learning and using point-of-sale, registration, and visitor management systems.
• Ability to accurately process payments, maintain records, and follow cash-handling procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate warmly and clearly with children and adults.
• Ability to respond calmly and professionally to guest questions, concerns, and unexpected situations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and changing priorities in a busy, family-focused environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment for all guests.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle guest and payment information.
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and work indoors or outdoors as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using Roller or a comparable point-of-sale, admissions, or visitor management system.
• Experience working with children and families in educational, recreational, museum, environmental education, or related settings.
• Experience coordinating memberships, group reservations, field trips, or special events.
• Experience managing equipment checkouts, rentals, or inventory.
• A passion for working with children and an interest in early learning, nature play, or child development.
• Enthusiasm for local outdoor recreation, hands-on learning, and play-based experiences.
• Enjoys a dynamic, team-based work environment and takes pride in a job well done.

Other Details:

• Work Location: WonderTrek Outdoor Adventure
• Schedule: Part-time or full-time. Must be available to work weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events as scheduled.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting pay $18-$20 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Benefits:
• Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), accrued in accordance with state law.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), in accordance with state law.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contribution.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Full time employment also includes vision, dental, health stipend, LTD, and life insurance.

If you’re ready to inspire and be inspired, to make learning an adventure, and to join a team where your contributions truly make a difference, WonderTrek is waiting for you. Apply now by sending your resume, cover letter and references to aimee@wondertrekmuseum.org

Let’s make every day at WonderTrek an extraordinary adventure!

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20