Visitor Services Associate

Classification: Part-time

Department: Museum and Education

Work Location:

Primary:
Museum of the Grand Prairie (Mahomet, IL) & Interpretive Center (temporarily at Penfield, IL; starting 2028 at Homer, IL). Secondary: other Champaign County Forest Preserve facilities

FSLA Status: Hourly, Non-exempt

IMRF Pension Plan: Not eligible

Insurance Benefits: Not eligible

Paid Time Off
:
Sick leave, comp time, and IL Paid Leave for All Workers Act

Hours: Varied daily hours as scheduled between 8:30am to 5:30pm, 40-70 hours per month. Weekends and some holidays will be required. The Museum is closed on Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Select evenings based on programming hours.

Jan-Feb:
Museum is closed to the public, schedule and hours are flexible during this time.

Pay: Grade 3; typical starting pay is $18.48/hour

The Visitor Services Associate is responsible for managing customer service for both individual visitors and groups, including telephone inquiries, entry orientation, gift shop sales, administration support and general information requests for the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Interpretive Center.

The Visitor Services Associate is supervised by the Visitor Services Office Supervisor.

• Greet and assist visitors to the museum and interpretive center. Collect and record visitation numbers and information. Answer telephone, direct messages and requests to appropriate staff.
• Ensure the security of the museum, including using security cameras to monitor exhibit spaces and enforcing Visitor Guidelines when necessary.
• Open and close museum and interpretive center on scheduled workdays. Checking exhibits, doors, interactives, audiovisuals and security systems.
• Share in light housekeeping duties such as dusting, running vacuum, cleaning restrooms, cleaning display cases, window glass, etc.
• Provide a positive experience for visitors at the museum and interpretive center by enforcing Forest Preserves’ rules of conduct.
• Assist museum staff in tasks related to gift store management, bookkeeping, data entry and/or secretarial work. Assist in routine purchases of office supplies.
• Act as sales associate for museum gift shop, including preparation of a daily record of sales and reconciling cash drawers.
• Assist with inventory records for all merchandise, consignment work, and complete end-of-the-year inventory.
• Perform all job tasks in compliance with the Forest Preserves’ Safety Manual and the department training manual.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Previous retail and/or customer service experience is desired.

• Ability to work independently without direct supervision
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact with the public, staff and volunteers in a positive, enthusiastic manner. Fluent and able to communicate in English—bilingual skills a plus.
• Knowledge of, or ability learn, point of sale systems. Basic math and money handling skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and to have a good awareness of safety, particularly in challenging or stressful situations.
• Familiarity with standard office procedures, including basic proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or willingness and ability to become certified within 12 months of employment (training is provided by the Forest Preserves).

Work is performed indoors at a shared desk in a public museum setting with numerous interruptions. The employee will have frequent interaction with the general public. While performing this job, the employee will regularly utilize standard office equipment, including a computer and telephone. The employee may be exposed to chemicals (e.g. cleaning supplies).

This position is primarily sedentary and will involve prolonged sitting. The employee may regularly handle, grasp, or feel objects; reach, push, or pull to reposition items; and will occasionally lift upwards of 25 pounds to shoulder height. The…