Visitor Services and Retail Assistant

Do you have a passion for sharing your love of art & history with others?

Do you need a flexible work schedule to accommodate your lifestyle?

Are you looking for a great opportunity to serve the community?

Albany Institute of History & Art seeks a Visitor Services and Retail Assistant to serve the Institute’s patrons, supporters, and guests. This is a public-facing role working at our admissions desk and in our gift shop. Assistants will welcome visitors, introduce them to current exhibits and events, share knowledge of the museum and its mission, collections, exhibitions, events, promotions, and programs, and serve them in the gift shop. Assistants play a key, visible role in making our visitors feel welcome, regardless the reason for their visit. A memorable experience at Albany Institute begins with you.

Availability to work a flexible schedule and the hours necessary to open and/or close the store and/or admissions desk, including some nights, weekends, and holidays, is required.

Who We Are:

· One of the oldest museums in the United States

· Holder of significant, nationally recognized collections, including numerous Hudson River School works

· The foremost repository of the historical and artistic legacy of the Upper Hudson Valley region

· Home of the “Albany Mummies” and an extensive Egyptology exhibition

· Facilitators of learning and discovery through school and group tours, online and in-person classes, workshops, and materials for educators

· A cultural landmark and touchstone for the Capital Region, New York, and the northeastern United States

Who You Are:

· You love art and history!

· You want to make a difference in your community

· You are an arts and education advocate

· You “speak the language” of arts lovers

· You understand what it means to create a memorable experience for visitors

· You have flexibility in scheduling

· You enjoy a busy day with lots of interaction with people

Tasks and Responsibilities

· Provide for the needs of our patrons and guests and promote long-term relationships.

· Serve at the Admissions Desk and in the Gift Shop.

· Direct visitors to the galleries, the Gift Shop, and other facilities.

· Answer incoming phone calls and general email inquiries.

· Maintain visual merchandising displays and ensure that shelves are well stocked.

· Articulate and advocate for the Institute’s mission of collecting, preserving, interpreting, and promoting interest in the history, art and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley.

Requirements:

· Prior retail and customer service experience preferred.

· Familiarity with Microsoft Office 365 environment preferred.

· Interpersonal skills, especially the ability to interact positively with patrons and guests in a retail and fundraising setting.

· Knowledge of customer service principles, practices, and procedures preferred.

Albany Institute of History and Art is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and the uniqueness of every individual. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

ABOUT THE ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART

Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is New York’s oldest museum. Its collections document the Hudson Valley as a crossroads of culture, influencing the art and history of the region, the state, and the nation. With more than 35,000 objects and one million documents in the library, it is an important resource for the region, giving our community a sense of the part the Hudson Valley played in the American story and our own place in history. Permanent and temporary exhibitions are open year-round and create a sense of place, allowing visitors to meet the people who helped shape this region. Among the museum’s best-known collections are the nineteenth-century Hudson River School landscape paintings by artists like Thomas Cole and Frederic Church.

The Albany Institute of History & Art is an equal-opportunity employer. The Institute embraces diversity in thought, background and experience and insists on equal employment opportunities for all applicants. We ensure that all employment opportunities are provided to qualified individuals irrespective of race, traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), creed, color, national origin, ancestry/place of birth, citizenship/immigration status, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), height, weight, reproductive health decision making, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, military status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, stalking, or sex offense victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. AIHA also does not unlawfully discriminate against applicants or employees based upon arrest or conviction records. All such discrimination is unlawful, and all persons involved in the operations of AIHA are prohibited from engaging in this type of conduct.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.50 - $21.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22