Museum Supervisor

NOVA Parks; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

NOVA Parks seeks a dedicated keeper of Carlyle House operations in Alexandria, VA. The role involves welcoming visitors, guiding tours, managing admissions, and coordinating rentals and programs, with emphasis on safety and customer service.

The candidate will supervise docents, process payments, maintain cleanliness, stock supplies, and communicate effectively with the Site Manager and public. This is a year-round, full-day position requiring flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience in visitor services or public programming is preferred.
• Experience giving tours is preferred.
• Ability to supervise volunteers and staff support.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for reports and scheduling.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for diverse visitors.

Responsibilities

• Open and close museum, manage keys, codes, and safes.
• Supervise visitor safety and oversee house, collection, and grounds.
• Perform emergency procedures, basic first aid, and CPR.
• Oversee all museum operations during shift; update site manager.

Skills

Public interaction

Tour guiding

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Pay Rate

$ 16.00 per hour

Major Duties/Specific Tasks

Security

• Open and close museum (keys, security codes, safe).
• Supervise the safety of visitors, house, collection, and grounds.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures, basic first aid, and CPR.

Supervisory

• Responsible for all aspects of museum operations during shift.
• Keep site manager up to date on visitor feedback, volunteers, and other pertinent information.
• Stay up to date on current programming and operational information from Site Manager.
• Supervise and manage docents.

Visitor Services

• Open the facility, to include disarming house, preparing museum rooms for visitors, preparing cash drawers.
• Welcome visitors.
• Provide information about the historic site, tours, City of Alexandria, programs, rentals, and NOVA Parks.
• Handles admissions and museum shop merchandise sales.
• Answer telephone.
• Perform cash drawer end of day procedures, including all reports and the daily deposit.
• Keep areas clean and orderly, stock bathrooms, empty trash, wipe down kitchen surfaces.
• Ensure museum shop is properly restocked.

Rental duties

• Respond to phone and in-person rental inquiries.
• Position signage for rentals.
• Explain and enforce policies and procedures.
• Serve as staff for rentals, on occasion.

Program duties

• Promote upcoming programs and provide information to public.
• Process program reservations and payments.
• Serve as staff for programs and events.

Tours

• Conduct daily tours of house, as needed.
• Stay current with new research information.
• Attend training sessions and enrichment lectures.

Public Relations

• Represent Carlyle House and NOVA Parks to the visiting public in a positive, engaging and respectful manner.
• Respond to verbal and written inquiries.
• Explain and enforce rules and policies.
• Address and resolve complaints from the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Possession of or ability to obtain valid driver’s license, must maintain safe driving record.
• Must enjoy working with the public.
• Must be able to work independently and in a team setting.
• Experience with historic and/or cultural or community sites is preferred.
• Experience in visitor and customer service, event rentals, and public programming preferred.
• Attention to detail is important.
• Ability to perform a variety of duties, including custodial tasks.
• Strength and dexterity necessary to perform all required tasks, including lifting, stooping, bending, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions.
• Excellent communication skills, via phone, email and in person.
• Experience giving tours is preferred.
• Ability to conduct guided tours of the museum.
• Ability to supervise volunteers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Weekday, weekend, and some evening work required.
• This is a year-round position.