Visitor Services Guide

Dartmouth College; Hanover (NH); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Dartmouth College is seeking a Visitor Services Assistant for the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, NH. The role involves engaging visitors, ensuring their safety, and assisting with inquiries while securing the museum's collection.

The ideal candidate will exhibit excellent customer service skills and a willingness to assist visitors with a pleasant demeanor. Flexibility for evening hours and a commitment to continuous learning about the museum’s collection are essential.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Must have a pleasant demeanor and genuine interest in communicating with the public.
• Education: High School or equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist all visitors warmly.
• Monitor visitor behaviors and ensure safety.
• Assist with museum collections and engage visitors.

Skills

Customer service experience

Basic computer skills

Pleasant demeanor

Ability to take initiative

Communication skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Purpose

To ensure that visitors to the Hood Museum of Art and its object‑study center have a positive experience while maintaining a safe and secure environment and protecting the museum's collection and loans. This includes answering questions, enforcing rules, looking out for suspicious behavior, providing assistance, and engaging visitors in casual conversations about works of art and museum programs.

Responsibilities

• Warmly greets and ensures their availability to all visitors. (15%)
• Makes regular rounds through assigned galleries to monitor visitors and the facility, answer questions, enforce rules, and act as an ambassador for the museum and Dartmouth. (25%)
• Appropriately engages in conversation with visitors about the museum and its collections, including special exhibitions, permanent installations within the galleries and across campus, programming, and the Friends of the Hood Museum of Art. Obtains information from others within the organization, as necessary. (15%)
• Monitors visitors' behaviors and investigates and promptly reports anything unusual to a supervisor, including hazards, suspicious activity, and all abnormal situations. (10%)
• Opens, closes, and controls access to museum facilities. This includes access to offices, auditorium, and storage areas; monitoring intrusion alarm, access control panel, and CCTV systems; and completing opening and closing check of museum facilities and the collection. (10%)
• Assures the security of the collection by enforcing museum policies in public areas. Reports inconsistencies or damage immediately. Prepares daily report on condition of art, the museum climate, and physical plant. (10%)
• Ensures visitors' safety in the case of an emergency. Follows Hood Museum of Art Security Guidelines for evacuation of visitors and staff from the facility in an emergency situation. (5%)
• Monitors museum demographics and captures accurate statistical data. Administers exit surveys to visitors as instructed. (5%)
• Attends training sessions and continues to learn about the collection and exhibitions. (5%)
• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a pleasant demeanor and a genuine interest in communicating with members of the public and providing assistance to visitors.
• Must have basic computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• At least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Able to stand/walk constantly throughout the day and regularly interact with the public.
• Must exhibit sound judgment and the ability to calmly and quickly take initiative in emergency situations.
• Flexibility to work on a rotating on‑call basis during evening hours and in case of a systems failure.
• Must obtain and maintain updated First Aid, CPR, and AED training and certification.
• Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population.
• Education: High School or equivalency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Knowledge or interest in art.
• Technical aptitude so as to assist visitors with interactive technology throughout the museum.

Schedule

This position will be expected to work most or all weekends. The schedule is set based on a seniority bidding process as per union contract. Subject to change as necessary.

Location

Hanover, NH

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre‑employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non‑discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.