Visitor Assistant (part-time, fixed-term)

Arid Lands Institute; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The ICA Boston is seeking a part-time Visitor Assistant in the Education department to support gallery safety and visitor education. This fixed-term role runs from October 6, 2026 to March 7, 2027 and is based on-site at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210.

Excellent customer service and strong communication are essential. Responsibilities include welcoming visitors, explaining artworks, enforcing guidelines, and assisting with educational programs.

Qualifications

• Six months or more customer service experience required.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with museum education or public speaking is a plus.
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus.
• Must be able to work a weekly set schedule including some evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison to visitors and promote safety of the museum.
• Provide information about artworks and exhibitions to enhance the visitor experience.
• Monitor gallery spaces and ensure smooth visitation flow and safety.
• Enforce museum guidelines in a clear and friendly manner.
• Assist with educational resources and spaces and promote programs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Job description

Department: Education

Reports to: Visitor Experience Manager and Visitor Experience Supervisor

Position Status: Fixed -Term, Part Time, Hourly Non-exempt, Non-Benefits Eligible

Fixed-Term Position from October 6, 2026- March 7, 2027

Work Location: 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210

Overview: The ICA Visitor Assistants are reliable, strong customer service-oriented individuals who combine the responsibilities of gallery safeguarding with museum information and exhibition interpretation. Visitor Assistants are responsible for overseeing the gallery spaces and protecting the art while ensuring a positive museum experience by providing exemplary customer service and education. The Visitor Assistant will have the opportunity to work as a key member of an education-oriented, visitor-centered staff. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the visitors’ experience of ICA exhibitions.

The fixed-term Visitor Assistant position contributes to a culture of collaboration, community, and respect while embodying the principles of ICA’s Quality of Service and centers the work of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging in all areas of their work.

WORKING AT THE ICA:

• All ICA employeesare required toresidein Massachusetts and within commuting distance from our Seaport location as of the first day of work.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a liaison to visitors while promoting safety of the museum, communicate clearly and consistently with visitors to ensure a positive museum experience while facilitating safe and engaging interactions with artwork.
• Remain informed and up to date of artwork on view, enhance visitor experience through interpretation and engaging inquiry-based conversation.
• Monitor visitors in gallery areas to provide smooth flow of visitation, prioritize artwork and visitor safety during regular museum hours, onsite programs, and special events.
• Enforce museum guidelines in a clear and friendly manner.
• Work in conjunction with gallery supervisors and security to respond to emergency situations.
• Assist with use of educational resources and spaces and promote programs when applicable.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of brochures, literature, and gallery resources for the public.
• Engage with visitors to answer questions and resolve concerns, partner with gallery supervisors to share feedback and resolve visitor experience concerns.
• Report artwork incidents to gallery supervisors.
• Contribute to regular educational gallery programming, such as Pop-Up Talks and weekend family book readings.
• Attend staff exhibition trainings, museum-wide trainings, all staff and education department meetings as able.
• Additional duties as directed by management

Qualifications:

• Six months or more customer service experience required, preferably in retail, hospitality, or cultural organizations.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced and diverse environment.
• Experience with contemporary art, public speaking, and museum education a plus.
• Experience with safety protocols is a plus.
• Ability to be assertive if needed to enforce museum guidelines.
• Solid interpersonal, problem solving and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Ability to identify, react to, and resolve visitor-related issues in the moment; strong decision-making skills required.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information with visitors, staff, departments, and with diverse and multigenerational guests.
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus
• Must be able to work a weekly set schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements:

• Visitor Assistants must adhere to dress code and ICA policies.
• Work for this position is performed in a museum setting and involves working with the public and all that entails.
• Prolonged periods of remaining stationary, standing and/or moving about throughout the galleries.
• Staff in this position use and/or operate a hand-held radio for communication.
• Ability to perform duties in an environment with dynamic exhibitions that may flash or produce sounds consistently.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While the above is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Visitor Assistant must adhere to dress code and ICA policies. Work for this position is performed in a museum setting and involves working with the public and all that entails. Work involves extended periods of standing and/or walking. Staff in this position use and/or operate a hand-held radio for communication. Artworks on display may contain elements of sound and light that may affect those with heightened sensitivity.

Pay Range: $19.00 per hour (this is a fixed rate position)

The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation (Red and Silver Line).

Other Locations:

Seaport Studio
100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02210

ICA Watershed
256 Marginal Street
Boston, MA 02128

The ICA values building a pluralistic workforce to foster a culture of collaboration, community and respect. We are committed to hiring talented, creative and qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the ICA is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to fair employment practices for all individuals, adhering to all non-discrimination laws. The ICA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

To request reasonable accommodation (as defined by the ADA) to participate in the job application or interview process, contact [e-mail] or 617-478-3171.