What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visitor Experience Associate position at Missouri History Museum?
COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY
The Missouri Historical Society commits to a process of listening attentively to one another and leveraging best practices and resources across our organization to promote a culture of inclusion where individuals from all racial and ethnic identities; ages; nationalities; social and economic statuses; sexual orientations; gender identities/expressions; religious, political, and ideological perspectives; and abilities are able to be engaged, feel valued, and thrive. click here for the full Commitment to Racial Equity
About the Missouri Historical Society
One of the leading historical societies in the country, the Missouri Historical Society is in the midst of a transformative decade. We believe public history has the power to build stronger communities, and creating incredible experiences for our visitors is central to that work. With the help of every member of the MHS team, we're committed to expanding our efforts to share more history with more people than we ever have before.
Founded in 1866, the Missouri Historical Society operates three locations - the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and the Library and Research Center. Together our locations serve as the confluence of historical perspectives and contemporary issues to inspire and engage audiences in the St. Louis region and beyond. We do that by telling local stories that focus on the history of this region and its people. This approach has led to some of the most consistently successful years in MHS's history.
This hybrid position sits on the closely coordinated Visitor Experience (VEX) and Museum Shop teams, focused on creating memorable and exciting experiences for our visitors during every moment of their time inside the Missouri History Museum.
Position Summary:
The Visitor Experience Associate strives to foster a welcoming and engaging environment to ensure guests of all backgrounds and abilities can make personal connections to history. VEX Associates are almost always the first people visitors meet and have the important responsibility and opportunity as the face of the institution to plug visitors into all the Missouri Historical Society has to offer. The primary goal of each visitor interaction is to create a meaningful experience that encourages repeat visits, excitement about the history of St. Louis and, in turn, a desire to support the work of the Missouri Historical Society via membership, donation, or volunteering.
Scheduled shifts may vary weekly depending on the Museum's programs, private rentals, and events. The Museum is closed on Mondays. This position will be expected to regularly work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Work individually and as a team to foster a welcoming and engaging environment so all guests can make personal connections to history.
- Proactively interact with guests at many points during their visit, from the moment they enter the doors through the moment they head back out into Forest Park.
- Stay current on all MHS exhibitions, events, and programs.
- Assist visitors with wayfinding through the Museum and Forest Park.
- Follow best practices in accessibility to ensure that visitors of all backgrounds and abilities experience facilities and exhibits.
- Assist inter-departmental staff in facilitating our signature events and programs by helping with traffic flow and activities, communicating with other staff to ensure safety of visitors and proper use of facilities, and aiding with other duties as assigned.
- Assist security and collections staff in keeping artifacts safe by helping visitors understand our gallery guidelines.
- Assist in daily shop operations - assist with cleaning, organizing products, restocking products, making sales, maintaining shop displays, filling orders, and managing customer holds and requests.
- Complete retail sales, membership, and donation transactions via the Shop's point of sale systems.
- All other duties as assigned.
Skills
- A desire for and enjoyment of conversation and interactions with the visiting public.
- Ability to handle occasional high stress situations with the public, anticipating and addressing problems with professionalism and empathy.
- Ability to inclusively work with diverse audiences including making accommodations for people with disabilities.
- A team player.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to comfortably use or learn to use Windows-based computers, tablets and laptop devices and software associated with the role, including TAM retail software, Altru, and Outlook.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment in which schedules and details are often changing.
- A passion for St. Louis, its history, and its people.
Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or GED.
- At least 2 years' experience working with the public.
- An adaptable, engaging, and welcoming presence with a visitor-centered mindset.
- Flexible schedule allowing for weekend and evenings hours.
- Experience working in a cultural attraction and retail experience are preferred, but not required.
Deadline to Apply: Open until filled.
Please upload cover letter and resume when applying.
*External job boards: Please click this link to apply.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Services Provided On A Non-Discriminatory Basis
