Position Description

The Maryland Center for History and Culture seeks an enthusiastic Visitor Services Associate to join a knowledgeable and dedicated Visitor Experience team. The ideal candidate for this position would be a friendly, energetic individual who enjoys interacting with visitors, staff, trustees, volunteers and members, connecting people with the organization and its resources.

The Visitor Experience Team strives to make MCHC an accessible place by providing a high level of customer service and adjusting to the needs of the audiences we serve. This position also has key responsibilities for safety and security functions of MCHC facilities.

Responsibilities:

General

• Perform the daily operations of the front desk, providing excellent customer service by contributing to a warm and welcoming environment;
• Greet, orient, and register patrons to museum and library, collect admission fees, provide orientation and museum guides, and maintain stocks of literature for events and programs;
• Promote visitor engagement by actively selling memberships and inform visitors of upcoming programs and events;
• Perform front line telephone receptionist functions: answer telephone calls/emails promptly, provide basic information regarding MCHC, the museum and library collections, private events, and transfer callers to the appropriate personnel;
• Monitor onsite traffic to maintain awareness of visitors, staff, contractors, and appointments;
• Assist with the collection of and logging demographic information used for tracking visitation;
• Address visitor concerns and make referrals to the appropriate personnel when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned (may include assisting other departments with administrative work or special projects).

Museum Store

• Perform daily Museum Store functions including POS, administrative tasks, and ecommerce.

Facilities & Security

• Security duties include performing daily opening and closing procedures as well as basic security monitoring functions to maintain awareness of who is present in the building on a daily basis.
• Perform routine patrols throughout the interior and exterior of the facility to ensure the safety of exhibitions, report any unusual conditions or problems, ensure cleanliness of the facility, and observe proper protocols for access to restricted areas;
• Assist with basic facilities and/or housekeeping functions as needed (i.e. replacing paper products in restrooms, room setups, light snow removal around building entrances, etc.)

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Interest in art, history, nonprofits, or museums is a plus;
• Prior customer service, retail, cash handling and/or security experience required;
• Excellent customer service and communications skills.
• Ability to resolve customer complaints and concerns;
• Working knowledge of business office applications including email, word processing, spreadsheet and database applications preferred;
• Required to work weekends and occasional evening events;
• Moderate physical activity. Must be able to stand for long periods and lift up to 25 pounds.

About the Position

This is a full-time (40 hours weekly), hourly position with benefits. The hourly rate is $16.00. Please email a cover letter, resume, and contacts of three professional references to [email protected], using the subject line: Temporary Visitor Services Associate. Incomplete applications may not be considered. No phone calls, please.

About MCHC

The Maryland Center for History and Culture is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to educate people of all ages about the American experience through the rich history of Maryland using their collections and to preserve important objects and archival materials from prehistoric Maryland to the present day. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by law and strongly encourage all qualified professionals to apply.

The Maryland Center for History and Culture collects, preserves, and interprets the history, art, and culture of Maryland. By exploring multiple perspectives and sharing national stories through the lens of Maryland, MCHC inspires critical thinking, creativity, and community. Learn more at mdhistory.org.