Visitor Services Associate

The Claremont Colleges Services; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The Claremont Colleges Services seeks a Visitor Services Associate for the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery in Claremont, CA. The role focuses on welcoming visitors, sharing information about collections and programs, and supporting inclusive exhibitions and student activities.

You will train and supervise interns on engagement and accessibility practices, and assist with sales, events, and daily gallery operations. Evening and weekend events may require occasional shifts.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent. One year experience in visitor experience, customer service, or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of visitor engagement and accessibility best practices.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and provide information about exhibits and programs.
• Assist visitors with purchases of catalogs and merchandise.
• Support educational initiatives and student organizations.
• Train interns and work-study students in engagement procedures.
• Supervise interns and work-study students, including scheduling and tracking hours.
• Open and close the Gallery and monitor safety of visitors and objects.
• Maintain attendance and sales records; ensure gallery cleanliness.
• Promote inclusive environment and assist visitors with accessibility needs.

Skills

Visitor engagement

Accessibility best practices

Interpersonal communication

Diversity engagement

A/V knowledge

Microsoft Office

POS systems

Lifting up to 20 lbs

Teamwork

Independent work

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Experience in visitor experience or customer service preferred

Tools

Audiovisual equipment

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Location

Claremont, CA

Job Title

Visitor Services Associate

PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Visitor Services Associate creates a warm, engaging, and professional environment within the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery. Reporting to the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Director, the Visitor Services Associate ensures that all Gallery visitors feel welcome, accommodated, informed, and inspired. This position contributes to the implementation of inclusive exhibitions and programs and facilitates connections between the Gallery and the communities of Scripps College, Claremont, and Southern California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Visitor Engagement

• Welcome visitors with a friendly and approachable demeanor.
• Offer information about the Gallery’s collections, exhibitions, programs, and giving opportunities to visitors.
• Respond to visitor questions and encourage engagement with the artworks on display.
• Facilitate ongoing visitor engagement with the Gallery and Scripps College collections.
• Assist visitors with purchases of Gallery catalogs and merchandise.
• Collaborate with Gallery staff to create and implement educational initiatives and support the Gallery’s student organizations.
• Train interns and work-study students in visitor engagement procedures and best practices.
• Supervise interns and work-study students, including working closely with the Curator of Academic Programs and Collections to hire students, develop schedules, and track attendance and work hours.

Inclusion and Access

• Promote an inclusive and respectful environment for all visitors.
• Assist visitors with special needs in navigating the museum and accessing resources.
• Collaborate with museum staff to implement accessibility measures.
• Train interns and work-study students in accessibility procedures and best practices.

Security and Safety

• Open and close the Gallery.
• Monitor Gallery spaces and implement policies to ensure the safety of visitors and objects.
• Report incidents or security concerns to the appropriate staff.
• Maintain familiarity with emergency equipment and procedures.
• Train interns and work-study students in use of emergency equipment and implementation of emergency procedures.
• Respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations to ensure safety of visitors and objects.

Gallery Maintenance and Operations

• Keep detailed records of Gallery attendance and sales.
• Maintain a clean and orderly Gallery environment.
• Monitor Gallery spaces and report issues with objects, exhibitions, climate control, lighting, or facilities to appropriate staff.
• Provide operational support for Gallery events.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Demonstrated knowledge of visitor engagement and accessibility best practices. Demonstrated knowledge of emergency equipment and procedures pertaining to the safety of Gallery visitors and exhibitions. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills applicable to a deadline-oriented, creative, and academic environment. Ability to interact well with a variety of diverse communities, including faculty, staff, students, alumnae, and the general public. Familiarity with audiovisual equipment, Microsoft Office suite, and POS systems. Ability to lift twenty pounds, bend, stoop, and climb ladders. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Active support for the College’s Principles of Community and Institutional Values in the performance of job duties.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High school graduation or any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and ability to perform the job. One year of experience working in visitor experience, customer service, or a related field is preferred.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

None.

HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS

This is a regular status, part-time (25 hours per week during Gallery exhibitions, 26 weeks per year), non-benefits-eligible, non-exempt position.

The Gallery is open from Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Work on evenings and weekends will be required on occasion during special events.

Hourly rate range: $23.35-$25.95. The hourly rate of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May supervise student employees and interns.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate. Physical and Mental Requirements Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to detail with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans. Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal parameters. Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file. Ability to move about. Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books, and packages.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Scripps College is an At-Will employer. Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

ABOUT SCRIPPS COLLEGE

Scripps College is a top-ranked liberal arts college and the women’s college of The Claremont Colleges. Founded in 1926 by Ellen Browning Scripps, the College has provided exceptional education to equip talented students intellectually and morally with the skills, experience, and discernment to lead satisfying and productive professional and personal lives. In the founder’s words, "The paramount obligation of a college is to develop in its students the ability to think clearly and independently and the ability to live confidently, courageously and hopefully." These fundamental principles remain central and relevant to the mission of the College today.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Scripps College among the Top 100 Best Values in Liberal Arts Colleges in the US. The Wall Street Journal places Scripps among the top 10 of Top Institutions in the West and in the top 100 of all colleges overall. Scripps College is ranked on multiple lists as one of the most beautiful college campuses and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.