Museum Visitor Experience Specialist

virginiamoca; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Virginia MOCA in Virginia Beach seeks a part-time Visitor Experience Associate to welcome visitors, support education programs, and safeguard artworks. You will staff the Welcome Desk, answer questions, and guide guests through exhibitions with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity.

In this role within Operations, you’ll help with ARTlab, tours, special events, and facility rentals, ensuring clean spaces and friendly service. Availability for weekend and evening shifts is expected.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of customer service experience.
• Ability to provide exceptional, individualized customer service to a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and capacity to prioritize varied tasks.
• Works effectively in both fast-paced and self-motivating environments, both in coordination with other team members and alone.
• Outstanding interpersonal and oral communication skills.
• Must have an enthusiasm for engaging with the public, helping visitors to make meaningful connections between contemporary art and the everyday.
• Inventive and resourceful team player who is eager to learn and contribute.
• Must have basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge or interest in art, museum work, and education strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of other languages a plus.
• Availability to work outside of standard museum hours for special events.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for all visitors by anticipating needs, offering clear guidance, and creating a welcoming, safe, and engaging experience.
• Manages Welcome Desk during assigned hours, greets visitors, vendors, contractors, and other guests, and answers and directs phone communications.
• During gallery hours, rotates between checking in and orienting visitors to the Museum, engaging visitors in the galleries, and performing facility walkthroughs and security checks.
• Assists with the upkeep and organization of front-of-house areas, ensuring all spaces are clean and tidy, and all signage and materials are updated.
• Initiates meaningful conversations with visitors to support understanding of exhibitions and programs and to encourage engagement.
• Assists with membership and studio program inquiries and registrations.
• Works closely with the security team to ensure effective management of building traffic and protection of artworks.
• Communicates visitor feedback to supervisor and assists with improvements.
• Creates a welcoming retail experience at the Welcome Desk and merchandise kiosk with POS use and inventory upkeep.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Team player

Microsoft Office

Public engagement

Bilingual a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Virginia MOCA in Virginia Beach seeks a part-time Visitor Experience Associate to welcome visitors, support education programs, and safeguard artworks. You will staff the Welcome Desk, answer questions, and guide guests through exhibitions with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity.

In this role within Operations, you’ll help with ARTlab, tours, special events, and facility rentals, ensuring clean spaces and friendly service. Availability for weekend and evening shifts is expected.