Visitor Experience Specialist

Discoverycenteramarillo; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 15,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Discovery Center Collective operates Don Harrington Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center in Amarillo, TX. The Visitor Experience Specialist will be the first point of contact, delivering welcoming, engaging experiences while assisting with admissions, memberships, concessions, and gift shop sales.

This part-time, non-exempt role emphasizes outstanding customer service, guiding exhibit interactions, operating the Space Theater, and supporting programs, camps, birthdays, and

Qualifications

• Must have daytime, weekday and weekend availability.
• Demonstrates creativity, patience, and a love for science.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence, integrity, and organizational skills.
• Outgoing and comfortable engaging with diverse groups and facilitating positive interactions.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests and provide exceptional customer service at the front desk.
• Process admissions, memberships, and sales; manage cash/credit transactions and keep accurate records.
• Support retail/concession operations and restock merchandise for a welcoming space.
• Engage guests during exhibits and Space Theater programs; guide educational interactions.
• Assist with special events, camps, birthdays, and facility rentals; help with setup and cleanup.
• Collaborate with other departments to address issues and improve visitor experience.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Communication

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Guest engagement

Tools

Activeworks

Altru

Clickup

Job description

Discovery Center Collective:
Don Harrington Discovery Center & Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center

Job Title: Visitor Experience Specialist (Part-time, Non-exempt)

Reports to: Director of Operations

Discovery Center Collective (DCC) includes two interactive, recreational learning spaces in Amarillo, TX: Don Harrington Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center. The Discovery Center Collective sparks curiosity, inspires lifelong learning through play and empowers individuals to engage confidently with the world. The Visitor Experience Specialist serves as the first point of contact for guests, ensuring they have a welcoming, engaging, and memorable experience. This role involves providing exceptional customer service, assisting with admissions, ticketing, memberships, concessions, and gift shop sales, guiding exhibit interactions, operating space theater programs, and supporting special events, such as demonstrations, camps, birthdays, facility rentals, and more. Visitor Experience Specialists are essential to advancing the organization’s mission. This position will primarily work at Don Harrington Discovery Center, but may occasionally require work at both locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide a warm, friendly welcome to all guests, ensuring a high level of customer service throughout their experience. Respond to questions, provide directions, and resolve any guest concerns professionally and efficiently.
• Ensure the highest quality exhibit experience for every guest, enhancing their understanding and engagement.
• Manage front desk operations, including processing admissions, memberships, and sales, while ensuring accurate transaction and guest data records. Generate daily cash and attendance reports and offer helpful information to guests. Additionally, contribute to sales by supporting retail and concession transactions, managing cash and credit card payments, restocking merchandise, and ensuring a well-organized and welcoming environment.
• Actively engage with guests through exhibit and floor interactions, providing information, facilitating hands‑on activities, ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences, and fostering educational moments of discovery.
• Participate in fundraising campaigns to drive revenue, including direct solicitations of visitors when needed.
• Work in close coordination with other departments to assist with programs, address issues, and enhance the visitor experience. This includes answering phone calls, providing information, and directing calls to the correct departments.
• Assist and support educational programs, special events, demonstrations, camps, birthday parties, and facility rentals by supporting setup, cleanup, and guest coordination. Manage activity stations, troubleshoot issues, and ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for all participants.
• Operate and assist with the Space Theater, delivering enriching astronomical experiences, making announcements, managing seating, answering questions, and ensuring shows run smoothly to provide seamless visitor experiences.
• Make announcements of activities, events, and closing reminders to guests using the audio system, ensuring clear communication and a positive visitor experience.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and functional environment at the entrance, front desk, café, and gift shop by restocking and organizing items as needed while setting up and overseeing public areas to ensure cleanliness and functionality throughout the shift.
• Restock and tidy café and gift shop as needed, maintaining a clean and functional environment.
• Regularly reset exhibit spaces to ensure guests experience each area as intended, tidying as needed and reporting any issues to the relevant departments.
• Support the Manager on Duty (MOD) and Animal Team as needed in caring for live animals, promoting understanding and respect for wildlife.
• Participate in staff training sessions and organizational meetings as scheduled.
• Perform any other duties as assigned to support the organization’s goals and mission.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

*** Must have daytime, weekday, and weekend availability. Will typically work a consistent daytime schedule with occasional evening shifts.

• Wholeheartedly support the DHDC mission to inspire and excite children, families, and groups visiting the Discovery Center Collective.
• Exhibit creativity, patience, and a genuine love for science.
• Demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence, professional integrity, and organizational skills.
• Outgoing personality, comfortable working with diverse groups of people and facilitating positive interactions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs. Current platforms include Activeworks camp registration, Altru museum management, and Clickup internal project management system, among others.
• Ability to work within a high-energy, collaborative team environment.
• Compassion, patience, and positivity!

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Physical job requirements include the ability to work closely with a computer, perform repetitive hand movements, and regularly lift 30-50 pounds.
• This position will primarily work at Don Harrington Discovery Center, but will also work at Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center as needed.

COMPENSATION:

Hours vary based on part-time or full-time status and are non-exempt. Pay range is $11-14 hourly with a yearly review for increase. Salary commensurate with experience. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits options, including medical, dental, vision, FSA, life insurance, and more.