Visitor Services Representative

Mass Audubon; Newburyport (MA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Paid holidays

Job summary

Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport is seeking a Visitor Services Representative for part-time weekend coverage and select weekdays. You will greet visitors, assist with the gift shop, and guide program participation.

You will answer questions, update signage, and help with sign-ins and volunteer training, while ensuring a welcoming, safe environment for all.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible and reliable; availability for additional weekday coverage and occasional meetings.
• Office skills including Word, Excel, and a Teams-based phone system; iPad POS for Gift Shop sales.
• Organized and efficient with self-motivation during slower times.
• Ability to work with staff, volunteers, and the public; basic cleaning and organizing.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to become certified.
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people and knowledge of local nature.

Responsibilities

• Greet and inform members, visitors, and guests regarding the visitor center and Mass Audubon programs.
• Learn program content and stay up-to-date on local wildlife.
• Answer phone calls and provide information and guidance.
• Assist with drop-in program sign-in and gift shop operations.
• Update visitor signage, brochures and bulletin board information.
• Assist with document updates using Word/Excel as needed by the office manager.
• Promote membership opportunities and use iPad POS for sales.
• Be prepared as primary communication point of contact in emergencies; assist with opening/closing procedures.
• Assist with volunteer training and participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Maintain lobby, activity areas, and monitor the backyard.
• Assist with special events and Open Houses.

Skills

Excellent customer service

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Reliability

Organized

Self-motivation

Cultural competence

Birdwatching knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

iPad POS

Teams

Printer/Copier

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Visitor Services Representative

Part-time Regular Newburyport, MA, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1920

Salary Range: $19.00 To $21.00 Hourly

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org .

About This Position

Joppa Flats Education Center is situated along the Merrimack River, providing nature and conservation education to children and adults of all ages. The sanctuary is a frequent stop for visitors on their way to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, including birdwatchers and photographers.

The Visitor Services Representative performs the day-to-day duties of visitor engagement operations and ensures an overall positive, welcoming, enriching, and safe experience for all of our members, visitors, and guests. The role includes assisting with the oversight of the Nature Gift Shop, including making sales and monitoring merchandise and supplies.

This position has an important and integral role as a welcoming, customer-oriented ambassador of Mass Audubon properties, programs, and mission.

Responsibilities

• Greet and provide information to members, visitors, and guests regarding visitor center, sanctuary, programs, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, the local area and Mass Audubon in general
• Continue to learn about the program content provided by Joppa Flats Education Center, as well as the local wildlife, remaining up-to-date on information provided to visitors
• Answer occasional phone calls and provide information, guidance and direction
• Assist with drop-in program sign-in
• Update visitor signage, brochures and bulletin board information as assigned by office manager
• Assist with document updating using Microsoft Word or Excel as assigned by office manager
• Understand and promote membership opportunities
• Use an iPad point-of-sale for gift shop sales; maintain gift shop display areas throughout the day; periodically assist with merchandise stocking
• Be prepared to serve as primary communication point-of-contact in case of emergency per standing policies and procedures
• Handle opening and closing procedures including end-of-day iPad register closing/sales receipts
• Assist with Visitor Services volunteer training and work cooperatively with volunteers
• Attend staff meetings and trainings when requested
• Assist in keeping the lobby and activity areas tidy and monitor backyard
• Assisting with drop-in program sign-in and Gift Shop during special events, such as Open Houses, Family Drop-in programs, Annual Eagle Festival and other public programming.

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility and reliability; availability for additional weekday coverage (advance notice provided), occasional-to-monthly weekday staff meetings, and other occasional meetings such as IT training and Safety training either in-person or virtually via Teams (paid time)
• Office skills including utilizing a computer, printer/copier, Teams-based phone system, iPad- based POS for Gift Shop sales, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Organized and efficient, self-motivation during slower times
• A demonstrated ability to work well with staff, volunteers, and independently when necessary, including basic cleaning and organizing as needed to maintain presentation to the public
• CPR/First Aid Certification or willingness to become certified
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people and exercise cultural competence and inclusion; knowledge of local nature and basic birdwatching skills

Nice to Haves

• Birdwatching and/or coastal nature knowledge/experience
• Knowledge of the local area along the Merrimack River in Newburyport
• Comfort in talking with families and children
• Computer and online savvy

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $19.00-$21.00 per hour; actual rate of pay will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is a year-round position and earns vacation time as well as receives paid holidays.

Work Schedule

Part-time hours are 8:30am-4:00pm on Saturdays; Monday holidays, special events, and intermittent coverage on weekdays as needed.

Other Requirements

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.