Visitor Services Program Coordinator

Position Overview

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center within Penn State Outreach is looking for an organized, energetic, dedicated, and responsible individual to fill the role of Visitor Services Program Coordinator. This position is the front‑line staff for the visitor center, the Weidemann Bookstore and gift shop, and the Litzinger Herpetarium, and serves as a primary liaison to our community of members. The Visitor Services Program enhances the educational mission of Shaver's Creek for visitors seeking to learn more about the natural world.

The Coordinator independently coordinates, develops, and maintains the Weidemann Bookstore and Lobby as a welcoming space for 20,000 yearly drop‑in visitors and facilitates a positive, educational program experience. The Coordinator has daily interactions in a non‑formal setting with the visiting public, answering questions and offering educational information about the natural world and our resident animals. Shaver's Creek is open seven days a week, and the typical work week for this position will be Thursday through Monday to support weekend visitation and programming.

The Coordinator also manages bookstore operations by developing the yearly bookstore budget, making sales, updating inventory, managing the online store, placing orders, maintaining vendor relationships, training interns and staff on bookstore processes, coordinating local art consignment, and completing weekly reconciliations. Additionally, the Coordinator collaborates with the Program Registration Coordinator and other colleagues to manage the Shaver's Creek membership program and assist with seasonal spikes in registration management, including Summer Camp.

Other duties include helping with intern hiring, facilitating internal communications, and assisting with program marketing through website updates, community calendars, and email lists.

• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School diploma; 2+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required certifications:
  None.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, prior retail experience, and comfort answering phones.
• Enjoy interacting with the public and sharing educational content.
• Experience with natural history interpretation is a plus.
• Proficiency with database management, e‑mail, and word processing.
• Strong environmental ethic consistent with the mission of Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to a diverse population of visitors, including students, camp parents, work‑study students, volunteers, staff, and interns.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, and the National Sex Offender Registry Clearance (NSOR). Additional clearances may be required if you have resided outside of Pennsylvania in the past five years. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment visa.

Salary range: $38,300.00 – $55,500.00.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, generous paid time off (holidays, vacation, and sick time), and a 75% tuition discount available to employees and eligible spouses and children.