Plaza Activities Associate

The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,611 - 52,789; Full time

Job summary

The First Church of Christ, Scientist is seeking a Plaza Activities Associate to engage visitors at the Christian Science Plaza in Boston. This role emphasizes hospitality and provides an opportunity to deepen visitors' understanding of Christian Science and its mission.

Responsibilities include hosting tours and exhibits, addressing visitor inquiries, and maintaining welcoming environments. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills, hospitality experience, and an active practice of Christian Science.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality, customer service, or visitor engagement.
• Ability to discuss Christian Science clearly and respectfully.
• Reliability and punctuality are essential.

Responsibilities

• Host exhibits, tours, and engage with visitors.
• Provide information on Christian Science and its history.
• Respond to visitor needs with professionalism and warmth.

Skills

Strong verbal communication

Public speaking skills

Warmth and professionalism

Basic computer proficiency

Education

College degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Point-of-sale system

Job description

Summary

The Plaza Activities (PA) Associate helps create a welcoming, educational, and spiritually grounded experience for visitors to the Christian Science Plaza. This public facing role supports guest engagement with the "How Do You See the World?" exhibit, the Mapparium, guided Church tours, and visitor hosting on the Plaza.

Job Details

Department: Plaza Activities

Through thoughtful hospitality and clear communication, the PA Associate shares accurate information about Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, and the mission and activities of The Mother Church, including Church services and Sunday School, the Reading Room, and Christian Science publications, including The Christian Science Monitor.

While the role includes hospitality, visitor services, and public engagement responsibilities, it is also a ministry centered position. The Plaza Activities Associate prayerfully supports the Church, fellow employees, and every guest, helping ensure that all visitors are warmly welcomed and have the opportunity to leave with greater clarity, inspiration, and hope.

Most work takes place on the first floor of the Publishing House, where the "How Do You See the World?" exhibit is located, and in the Church edifices during scheduled tour times. At times, especially in warmer months, the associate also greets and assists the public outdoors on the Christian Science Plaza.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The PA Associate serves in three primary areas:

• Exhibit Host for the "How Do You See the World?" experience, including the Mapparium
• Church Tour Guide
• Outdoor Plaza Host

Because this is a public facing role representing The Mother Church, the PA Associate is expected to understand and thoughtfully support relevant responsibilities and standards reflected in The Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, including articles related to the Reading Room, The Christian Science Publishing Society, the Board of Lectureship, and the Committee on Publication.

Oftentimes, guests are unfamiliar with Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science publications, Church services, the Reading Room, and the worldwide nature of the Christian Science movement. This role therefore provides an important opportunity to contribute to a clearer public understanding of Christian Science and its mission.

While working in all Plaza Activities areas, the PA Associate is expected to notify management of any concerns affecting visitor safety, security, or the effective operation of the Plaza and support emergency response procedures, as directed.

HDYSW Exhibit Host Responsibilities

• Greet visitors with warmth, professionalism, humility, and spiritual poise.
• Identify visitor needs and respond thoughtfully and courteously.
• Share accurate information about the "How Do You See the World?" exhibits, the Mapparium, Church tours, and related architectural features, as appropriate.
• Support a high quality visitor experience by monitoring guest flow, addressing issues promptly, and communicating policies clearly and respectfully.
• Operate the point of sale system accurately, including ticket sales, cash handling, and balancing the cash drawer.
• Perform opening and closing duties for exhibit operations.
• Orient visitors to the exhibit experience, including entrance procedures and Mapparium guidelines.
• Operate the Mapparium sound and light presentation.
• Welcome visitors at Publishing House entrances, as assigned.
• Engage children and families in a positive and educational manner.
• Maintain clean, organized, and welcoming public spaces and report operational or equipment concerns to the Manager on Duty.
• Assist with unscheduled group visits and special visitor needs.
• Record data and anecdotal feedback related to visitor engagement and interactions with the exhibits in order to gain insights and feedback to share with management and interested stakeholders from other Church departments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Church Tour Guide Responsibilities

Church tours typically begin in the Welcome Hall of the "How Do You See the World?" experience and continue into both Church edifices and the Sunday School. Tour guides help present a clear, accurate, and engaging introduction to the history of The Mother Church and the practice of Christian Science.

• Learn and deliver assigned tour content clearly, accurately, and with confidence.
• Co-lead tours with a counterpart and maintain smooth pacing and transitions throughout the visitor experience.
• Present information related to the Original Edifice and the Extension of The Mother Church with historical accuracy and spiritual sensitivity.
• Communicate effectively with people of different belief systems, nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Answer visitor questions about Church history, Christian Science, current Church activity, and, as appropriate, architectural features of the buildings.
• Use radio communication appropriately to support tour coordination and visitor flow.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures for Church buildings, including preparing spaces for visitors and handling literature.
• Help ensure that tour spaces remain neat, welcoming, and visitor ready.
• Monitor visitor movement, assist with wayfinding, and help shepherd large groups as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of the "How Do You See the World?" exhibit, The Christian Science Publishing Society’s offerings, and other relevant Mother Church events and resources.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Plaza Host Responsibilities

• Serve as a welcoming public presence for The Mother Church on the Christian Science Plaza.
• Greet members of the public on Plaza property, answer questions, and direct visitors appropriately.
• Demonstrate prayerful alertness and the ability to respond to situations from the standpoint of Christian Science practice.
• Understand and respect the dual nature of the property as both a Church home and a business site shared with non Church tenants.
• Stay informed about daily Church and Plaza activities and events.
• Monitor radio communications and follow Church Security radio protocol.
• Develop familiarity with Plaza sectors, landmarks, and key visitor destinations.
• Provide feedback regarding visitor signage and wayfinding.
• Observe and report maintenance, safety, or security concerns to management or Security.
• Provide backup support as needed, including escorting groups between buildings.
• Direct visitors to the Welcome Hall and other appropriate locations for tours and exhibits.

Staff Management and Job Contacts

Reporting Relationships: Supervisors: Hospitality Supervisor (Day to Day Guidance); Assistant Manager: Hospitality (HR Issues & Time Management); Supervises: None.

Regular Contacts: This position regularly interacts with the Plaza Activities team, the Church Administrator, staff from the Committee on Publication, the Board of Lectureship, TMC Reading Room, and Security; employees; church members; and visitors from around the world.

Education/Experience

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• Previous experience in hospitality, customer service, visitor engagement, teaching, public speaking, tour guiding, or a related public facing role.
• Branch church or field work with some experience speaking with the public about Christian Science is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

Required Qualifications

• Active and demonstrable practice of Christian Science consistent with The Manual of The Mother Church.
• Ability to talk about Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, and the mission and offerings of The Mother Church clearly, accurately, and respectfully to the public.
• Strong verbal communication and public speaking skills, including the ability to memorize scripts, have clear speech and good voice projection, and the ability to be understood by individuals and groups in large spaces.
• Demonstrated warmth, humility, professionalism, and sound judgment in public facing settings.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and receive coaching and feedback constructively.
• Ability to interact respectfully with people of varied backgrounds, belief systems, nationalities, and cultures.
• Reliability, punctuality, and ability to follow a regular work schedule.
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn required systems, including a point of sale system.
• Handles monetary transactions accurately, including cash handling and basic math.
• Remains composed, adaptable, and service oriented in changing circumstances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Church history, Christian Science history, and the architectural history of The Mother Church.
• Familiarity with the products and activities of The Christian Science Publishing Society, the Reading Room, and other Church offerings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with visitors for whom English is a second language.
• Fluency in more than one language is helpful.
• Familiarity with the values and core beliefs of other Christian denominations and faith traditions.

Technology Skills

Requires a level of comfort working with a point-of-sale system and a solid knowledge of office-related applications (internet, email, the Google suite, and Zoom).

Work Environment And Physical Requirements

This position is based in Boston, Massachusetts and works onsite five days per week, including at least one regular weekend and occasional evenings or holidays as needed. The role requires standing and walking for extended periods, walking up and down stairs, occasional seated work for shorter periods, and outdoor work in varying weather conditions and seasons.

Engagement with Christian Science

Christian Science practice is central to this role and to its interaction with the public. The individual must have a sincere and ongoing interest in deepening his or her understanding of Mary Baker Eddy, her Church, and the history and practice of Christian Science. Membership in The Mother Church is required. Primary class instruction is required.

Pay range

$29.48 - $38.32 hourly

The pay ranges disclosed in our job postings are the compensation ranges the Church reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a given position at the time of posting. The offered salary will be determined by factors such as the applicant’s relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities; and benchmarking, work location, and internal equity.

NOTE

Background check required given potential for direct contact with children.

*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.*