Visitor Experience Shift Supervisor

Lowell Observatory; Flagstaff (AZ); On-site; USD 31,684 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Lowell Observatory is looking for a Visitor Experience Shift Supervisor to enhance guest experiences in Flagstaff. You will lead a front-line team, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service at the admissions desk and gift shop.

This full-time position requires a high school diploma and sales ability, with preference for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree. The compensation ranges from $23 to $25 per hour, depending on experience, and offers varied hours, including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Availability for varied hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Cash handling experience and basic math proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Set the standard for guest interactions and oversee daily operations.
• Manage shift flow, coordinate activities among team members.
• Provide daily written recap to management after each shift.

Skills

Communication

Sales ability

Customer service

Attention to detail

Dependability

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Merchandising

Job description

As a Visitor Experience Shift Supervisor, you'll be the person who sets the tone for the Guest experience at Lowell Observatory, leading a passionate front-line team to deliver exceptional service from the moment guests arrive to the moment they head home under Flagstaff's legendary dark skies.

You’ll oversee daily operations across our admissions desk and Starry Skies gift shop, keeping everything running smoothly while making sure our guests and team members feel supported. The Visitor Experience Shift Supervisor reports to the Visitor Experience Staff Manager and is Part of Lowell Observatory’s Public Program department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As Shift Supervisor, you’ll guide your team through the day and lead by example, creating a welcoming and energetic environment for both guests and staff.

Guest Experience & Sales

• Set the standard for warm, enthusiastic guest interactions with a genuine first greeting to a memorable farewell
• Champion Lowell's membership program, sharing its benefits naturally with visitors and helping staff to recruit members onsite
• Keep guests informed and interested in our daily programs, shows, and experiences happening across campus
• Model and encourage exceptional customer service, handling any guest concerns with grace and professionalism

Operations & Team Leadership

• Serve as the on-site point person for admissions and gift shop operations throughout the shift
• Manage the flow of the shift — coordinating workstation rotations, breaks, and team energy to keep things running at their best
• Coordinate schedule updates and daily changes in partnership with the Presentation and Telescopes team
• Ensure opening and closing tasks are completed thoroughly, including cleaning, restocking, labeling, and software reporting
• Provide a daily written recap to the Public Programs Management Team, noting key highlights and any items needing follow‑up
• Provide additional tasks within specialized area of expertise based on your strengths and team needs, such as gift shop merchandising or customer service correspondence
• Demonstrate proficiency in Lowell's sales software and serve as a resource for troubleshooting admissions, gift shop, membership, and register transactions

QUALIFICATIONS

You don't need to check every box to be a great fit, we're looking for the right person, not a perfect resume.

• Availability to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Genuine enthusiasm for connecting with people from all walks of life
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven sales ability and a natural, helpful approach to promoting products and programs
• Cash handling experience and basic math proficiency
• High level of integrity in processing customer transactions
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• A positive, adaptable attitude and a willingness to learn
• Dependability: your team and your guests count on you

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

• High school diploma required and a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Merchandising is preferred.
• Prior experience in retail or customer service leadership preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires long periods of standing, bending, stretching, reaching. Speaking and listening, both in person or while using telephone. Ability to lift boxes of merchandise up to 40lbs onto a wheeled device for moving from building to building. Some work on displays may require a ladder with 2‑4 steps. Moving throughout the campus, on sometimes uneven terrain, sometimes in low light. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Status: Full Time, Regular 40 hour per week

Compensation: $23 - $25 per hour – Depends on Experience

Compensation Type: Hourly

FLSA Classification: Non‑Exempt

Employment is subject to passing a background check.

Lowell Observatory is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Lowell Observatory has always been, and always will be, committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek individuals from all backgrounds to join our teams, and we encourage our employees to bring their authentic, original, and best selves to work.

Employment with Lowell Observatory is on an “at will” basis. At‑will employment means that the relationship may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, reason or advance notice, by either you or the Observatory for any reason not expressly prohibited by law. Please note that the terms and conditions of your employment, including but not limited to compensation, benefits, duties, and policies, are subject to change at the discretion of Lowell Observatory based on business needs or changes in applicable laws and regulations.

Lowell Observatory is committed to providing access, and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. Our non‑smoking campus is at an elevation of 7,200ft/2200m, and the LDT is 40 miles south of Flagstaff at an elevation of 7,800 ft/2370m. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources office for assistance.