Visitor Experience Associate

High Desert Museum; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

The High Desert Museum is seeking a Visitor Experience Associate to welcome guests, process admissions and memberships, and assist in the gift shop.

Responsibilities include operating the Lightspeed POS, answering questions, and supporting volunteers and staff during evenings and weekends to ensure a positive guest experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED in progress.
• Experience with customer service or visitor experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate Admissions, welcome visitors, and promote memberships.
• Process admission fees, program fees, and memberships accurately.
• Assist in Silver Sage Trading by handling sales and restocking merchandise.
• Provide information about exhibitions, programs, and events to guests.
• Support Museum staff and volunteers to ensure a welcoming guest experience.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Detail oriented

Cash handling

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED in progress

Tools

Lightspeed POS

Salesforce/Veevart

Job description

Hourly, Part-time, Non-Exempt | Salary Range: $20.80 - $22.60 per hour

The Visitor Experience department serves as the welcoming face of the High Desert Museum, supporting guests from the moment they arrive through the end of their visit. The department encompasses the Museum’s admissions office and retail store, Silver Sage Trading.

The Visitor Experience Associate plays a key role in welcoming and assisting Museum guests. Responsibilities include selling admissions and memberships using the Museum’s networked system, answering visitor questions, and collaborating with volunteers and staff to provide exceptional service throughout the guest experience.

The Visitor Experience Associate also supports Silver Sage Trading by facilitating sales, restocking merchandise, assisting with inventory, and helping maintain an inviting and well-organized retail environment using the Lightspeed POS system.

A positive attitude, strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to creating a welcoming experience for every guest will help you succeed in this role. Evening and weekend work are required to support Museum programs and special events.

Essential Functions

Visitor Experience—Admissions (45%)

• Perform daily Admissions operations, including opening and closing procedures and the secure handling of cash throughout the business day.
• Process admission fees, program fees, membership sales, Adopt-an-Animal purchases, and other payments accurately and efficiently.
• Welcome and orient visitors to the Museum, providing information about exhibitions, programs, events, amenities, memberships, and services.
• Actively promote and sell Museum memberships and other visitor opportunities.
• Provide visitors with accurate information about the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, memberships, store, café, and upcoming events.
• Respond to visitor questions and help guests navigate the Museum based on their individual interests and needs.
• Answer incoming phone calls professionally and provide information or direct callers to the appropriate staff member or department.
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to support smooth Admissions operations and respond to visitor needs.
• Assist with group and school tour arrivals and orientations.
• Relay visitor comments, concerns, suggestions, and requests to appropriate staff.
• Maintain a clean, organized, professional, and welcoming Admissions area.

Visitor Experience—Retail (45%)

• Operate the Silver Sage Trading Lightspeed POS system accurately and efficiently while providing excellent customer service.
• Process sales and handle cash securely in accordance with Museum and store procedures.
• Open and close the store according to established standards and procedures.
• Maintain a working knowledge of store operations, policies, procedures, merchandise, and inventory.
• Assist visitors with questions about merchandise, product availability, product location, and store policies.
• Provide visitors with accurate information about the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, memberships, store, café, and upcoming events.
• Restock merchandise and maintain attractive, organized, and well-stocked sales displays.
• Help maintain an orderly and organized stockroom.
• Maintain a clean and organized cashier station and retail environment.
• Answer the store phone professionally and assist callers or direct inquiries as appropriate.
• Communicate operational successes, concerns, visitor feedback, and opportunities to the Retail Manager and/or appropriate Museum staff.
• Relay visitor comments, suggestions, and requests to appropriate staff.

Additional Duties (10%)

• Support Museum professional accreditation practices and responsibilities.
• Assist with Museum-wide programs and special events, including Free Days, fundraising events, and other community or donor events.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers across departments to support Museum operations and the visitor experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED in progress.
• Valid CPR/First Aid Certificate or willingness and ability to obtain.

EXPERIENCE

• Prior experience with a retail POS system, or other cashier experience.
• Prior experience with customer service and/or visitor experience employment.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to learn Lightspeed POS system quickly and accurately.
• Ability to learn Saleforce/Veevart system quickly and accurately.
• Ability to project a welcoming, patient, and helpful attitude.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Ability to work flexible hours and days, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to quickly and accurately build working knowledge of store policies, systems, and procedures.
• Effective communication with children and adults in a professional and courteous manner to ensure a positive visitor experience.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service and effectively resolve customer issues or complaints.

PHYSICAL ELEMENTS

• This position is indoors, but may require moving up and down stairs, sitting or standing for long periods of time, extended use of fine motor skills, and elevated noise and crowding levels.
• This position involves extended periods of seated or standing desk work.
• This position requires wearing a uniform provided by the Museum.
• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds

EQUIPMENT USE

• Frequent computer and phone use

A rugged, rocky mesa rises above a dry, grassy plain under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sparse desert shrubs cover the foreground, and sunlight highlights the dramatic landscape.