Visitor Experience Specialist

Paul Smith's College; Paul Smiths (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Paul Smith's College seeks an Visitor Experience Specialist to deliver excellent customer service at the Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC). The role includes front desk duties, program registrations, retail sales, and rentals for ski and snowshoe gear.

Responsibilities extend to maintaining the center, patrolling trails, and assisting with event logistics, with opportunities to engage diverse guests and share Adirondack ecology and local history.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail sales and cash handling preferred.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Interest in Adirondack natural history or ecology is a plus.
• Willingness to work weekends and events.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service to all visitors at the VIC.
• Staff the front desk as primary contact for visitors (in person and by phone).
• Manage program registrations online, in-person, and by phone.
• Assist with retail sales and inventory restocking.
• Assist with ski and snowshoe rentals.
• Maintain cleanliness of front desk and visitor areas; support center logistics.
• Patrol trails to orient visitors and enforce center rules.
• Assist with event and program logistics as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Retail sales

Microsoft Office

Public speaking

Tools

Point-of-sale systems

Microsoft Office

Cash handling

Job description

Career Opportunities with Paul Smith's College

A great place to work.

Career Opportunities at Paul Smith's College

Status: Full-time, Seasonal, Non-Exempt (Dec – March)

Department: Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)

Reports to: General Manager

Salary: $19.00/hour

Position Description:

The Visitor Experience Specialist position provides customer service to the public on the VIC, its trails and history, the surrounding region and Paul Smith’s College. In addition, the position is responsible for retail sales, center maintenance, patrolling the trails to orient visitors to the site, its natural history, and ecology, and supporting other needs of the center.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide excellent customer service to all guests providing information on trail conditions, natural history, center programs, excursions in the surrounding area, and details about Paul Smith’s College.

Staff the front desk of the VIC for assigned shifts (½-full day) as the primary point of contact for visitors, both in person and telephone.

Manage in person, web-based, and telephone program registrations.

Assist with retail sales, managing inventory and restocking.

Assist the public with ski and snowshoe rentals.

Assist with administrative, maintenance, and logistical needs of the center including maintaining cleanliness of front desk, visitor areas, restrooms and minor maintenance tasks as needed.

Patrol trails to orient visitors to the site, check ski passes, enforce center rules and minor trail maintenance.

Assist with program and event logistics as needed.

Qualifications:

All education and experience levels are considered.

Knowledge of or interest in Adirondack natural history and ecology.

Strong desire to learn, share, and teach about the Adirondacks.

Work experience in a related field, including one year of experience with retail sales (operation of cash register) and inventory management preferred.

Experience and interest in working with diverse audiences of all ages.

Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, over the phone, in person, and written communication.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, and point-of-sale systems.

Ability to work weekends and events.

Reliable transportation to and from work.

Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.

Preferred:

Certification in at least one of the following or willingness to obtain: First aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder.

Physical Requirements:

Environmental Conditions

Perform moderate physical tasks outdoors in all seasons and weather.

Ability to comfortably transition from an indoors, climate-controlled environment to potentially inclement weather outdoors multiple times throughout the day.

Lifting and Carrying

Ability to regularly lift items up to 50 lbs. alone and heavier with assistance.

Frequent lifting and carrying moderate to heavy items including furniture, construction materials, and large tools.

Mobility

Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel?to pick up items as necessary.

Climbing various staircases across the campus to engage in meetings and/or presentations.

Capable of walking unassisted on uneven surfaces 1-3 miles per day.

Ability to hike/snowshoe several miles on gentle, rolling hiking trails with a mix of terrain including roots, rocks, boardwalks.

Utilize mobility assistive devices and equipment as necessary.

Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and moving to complete daily tasks.

Ability to hike/snowshoe several miles on gentle, rolling hiking trails with a mix of terrain including roots, rocks, boardwalks.

Ability to climb ladders.

Ability to enter and exit a UTV, ATV, and snowmobile frequently throughout the day.

Ability to shovel snow in winter.

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination

Manual dexterity for operating hand and power tools.

Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.

Frequent need to reach overhead or below shoulder level to perform work duties.

Sensory Requirements

Good vision, with corrective lenses as necessary.

Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary.

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.