Gallery Visitor Experience & Safety Associate

Ruchman and Associates, INC; New London (CT); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruchman and Associates, Inc. seeks a Visitor Assistant to support gallery operations at the National Coast Guard Museum.

Positioned throughout the galleries, the role serves as safety steward, educator, and customer service representative, helping protect museum collections while welcoming visitors. You will monitor galleries, guide visitors, conduct informal discussions about Coast Guard history, assist groups and individuals with accessibility needs, and help with emergencies and events

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least one year of experience in a customer-facing position in tourism, hospitality, retail, museums, visitor services, or a similar environment.
• Ability to stand and walk on gallery floors for the duration of a four- to eight-hour shift.
• Ability to quickly learn and clearly communicate historical narratives, exhibit highlights, and Coast Guard missions using approved information.
• Strong customer-service, public-speaking, wayfinding, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage school groups and diverse crowds with patience, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Ability to complete required training in emergency evacuation, medical response, asset protection, incident reporting, and visitor safety.
• Ability to assist visitors with physical, visual, sensory and other accessibility needs.
• Direct knowledge of Coast Guard history or maritime operations is highly desirable.
• Experience with soft-security techniques, de-escalation, incident observation, and facility-issue reporting is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a visible presence in assigned galleries to protect artifacts and exhibits.
• Monitor galleries and promptly report exhibit malfunctions, spills, property damage, safety hazards, and other unusual conditions.
• Regulate visitor volume and movement to prevent overcrowding in sensitive areas and support safe, orderly gallery operations.
• Provide wayfinding assistance using gallery maps and help visitors locate primary collections, exhibits, restrooms, exits, and accessible routes.
• Answer visitor questions using Government-approved information and lead brief, informal discussions about Coast Guard history and exhibits.
• Remind visitors of museum rules, including artifact-protection and no-touch requirements, in a friendly, constructive way.
• Support school groups, families, and diverse crowds with patience, professionalism, and appropriate crowd-management techniques.
• Assist visitors with physical, visual, sensory, or other accessibility needs and direct them to accommodations and services.
• Support Volunteer and Education teams with gallery-based activities, scavenger hunts, and approved interpretive programs.
• Direct and assist visitors during emergencies, medical incidents, evacuations, and other safety events per museum procedures.
• Perform opening and closing sweeps of assigned gallery spaces and document visitor complaints, unusual incidents, security concerns, and safety near misses.
• Provide approved information about museum programs, events, and authorized membership or support opportunities, and assist with special-event logistics as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Public speaking

Wayfinding

Interpersonal communication

Crowd management

Patience

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma

Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Ruchman and Associates, Inc. seeks a Visitor Assistant to support gallery operations at the National Coast Guard Museum.

Positioned throughout the galleries, the role serves as safety steward, educator, and customer service representative, helping protect museum collections while welcoming visitors. You will monitor galleries, guide visitors, conduct informal discussions about Coast Guard history, assist groups and individuals with accessibility needs, and help with emergencies and events