Guest Services Associate

George Washington's Mount Vernon; Mount Vernon (VA); On-site; USD 41,328,000 - 46,838,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

Free parking

Monthly employee events

Employee recognition at 5 years of 1

Discounts on Mount Vernon tickets

Discounts at Mount Vernon Shops

Discounts at Mount Vernon Inn and Cant

Job summary

George Washington’s Mount Vernon is seeking a Guest Services Associate to welcome visitors and provide friendly, knowledgeable assistance throughout their visit.

Work indoors and outdoors, 24 hours per week with two weekdays and alternating weekends; frequent evenings and holidays; prior museum or hospitality experience is helpful, but attitude and service matter most.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have an outgoing, friendly, and positive approach to customer service.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• A professional and welcoming demeanor.
• Reliability, punctuality, and flexibility.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in a busy environment.
• A willingness to learn and share information about Mount Vernon.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests of all ages and backgrounds and help them feel comfortable and informed during their visit.
• Provide directions and assist visitors with navigating the estate.
• Assist with ticket and membership sales and answer questions about Mount Vernon offerings.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of estate logistics, membership opportunities, programs, and visitor experiences.
• Help create a positive learning environment through approachable and engaging interactions with guests.
• Assist supervisors with daily opening, closing, and security procedures.
• Support emergency procedures when necessary to help ensure the safety of guests, colleagues, historic structures, and collections.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and assist with additional projects and activities as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Reliability

Punctuality

Teamwork

Flexibility

Learning attitude

Job description

Every day, thousands of visitors come to George Washington’s Mount Vernon to explore the estate, learn about George Washington and the people of his world, and create memories with family and friends. As a Guest Services Associate, you will play an important role in making that experience welcoming, informative, and memorable from the moment our guests arrive.

If you enjoy meeting people, providing exceptional customer service, and working in a dynamic environment where no two days are exactly alike, this could be a great opportunity for you.

Why You'll Love This Role

As part of Mount Vernon’s Education and Guest Services Division, you’ll join a team of more than 150 professionals dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for our visitors and students. You’ll work in one of the nation’s most significant historic settings while interacting with guests from around the world.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys:

• Meeting and helping people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Working in an engaging, public-facing environment
• Sharing information about Mount Vernon, George Washington, and the estate
• Being part of a collaborative team
• Staying active and working both indoors and outdoors
• Having a flexible part-time schedule

What You'll Do

As a Guest Services Associate, you will help visitors make the most of their time at Mount Vernon by providing friendly, knowledgeable, and professional assistance.

You will:

• Welcome guests of all ages and backgrounds and help them feel comfortable and informed during their visit.
• Provide directions and assist visitors with navigating the estate.
• Assist with ticket and membership sales and answer questions about Mount Vernon offerings.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of estate logistics, membership opportunities, programs, and visitor experiences.
• Help create a positive learning environment through approachable and engaging interactions with guests.
• Assist supervisors with daily opening, closing, and security procedures.
• Support emergency procedures when necessary to help ensure the safety of guests, colleagues, historic structures, and collections.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and assist with additional projects and activities as needed.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with people and takes pride in providing excellent service.

The ideal candidate will have:

• An outgoing, friendly, and positive approach to customer service.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• A professional and welcoming demeanor.
• Reliability, punctuality, and flexibility.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in a busy environment.
• A willingness to learn and share information about Mount Vernon.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Previous museum or hospitality experience is helpful, but a positive attitude, strong customer service skills, and a genuine interest in helping people are what matter most.

Schedule

This position averages 24 hours per week and includes two weekdays and alternating weekends.

Because Mount Vernon welcomes visitors throughout the year, employees must be available to work frequent weekends, evenings, and holidays.

This is an active, visitor-focused position with opportunities to work throughout the estate. You will spend time both inside museum spaces and outside on Mount Vernon’s historic grounds, interacting frequently with visitors and groups.

The role is ideal for someone who enjoys being on their feet, engaging with people, and working in a changing environment and a variety of weather conditions.

Physical Requirements

This position requires extended periods of standing and walking, including on uneven terrain. Employees may occasionally need to climb stairs or inclines and lift or carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Clear verbal communication and the ability to hear are essential.

What We Offer

Compensation: $15/hr

In addition to being part of the Mount Vernon team, part-time employees enjoy:

• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee referral program
• Monthly employee events
• Employee recognition at 5 years of service
• Free parking
• Discounts on Mount Vernon public event tickets
• Discounts at the Mount Vernon Shops
• Discounts at the Mount Vernon Inn and The General’s Canteen

Join the Team

At Mount Vernon, we believe every visitor should feel welcome. Our Guest Services team helps turn a visit to this extraordinary historic place into an experience that guests will remember.

The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.