Visitor Services Assistants

Part-time up to 28 hours. Anticipated start date: week of February 24

Compensation: $22.50 per hour

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. Construction has progressed rapidly and, in addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. Frick Madison is now closed to the public. Staff have moved back to 1 East 70th Street and we will reopen to the public in April.

Position Summary

This is a varied position that involves all aspects of visitor services: admissions and membership desks, ticket scanning, gallery host, coat check, and phone operator.

Visitor Services Assistants report to the Assistant Manager for Visitor Services who is on duty.

Visitor Services Assistants are among the first representatives of the museum to greet the public. The assistant’s role is to ensure that visitors have an outstanding experience.

Assistants are trained in all areas of our operation.

Responsibilities include welcoming visitors, selling admission tickets, handling member ticketing requests, providing information about the collection, checking visitors’ coats and bags, and answering phone calls. The assistant must work as a team member with other front-of-house staff, ensuring that the daily frontline services operate in a smooth, efficient, and safe manner.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals committed to providing a positive and memorable experience for our diverse visitor population.

Experience in visitor services or customer service required.

Interest in museums and/or art history, as well as learning about The Frick Collection, its events, and programs.

Punctuality, professionalism, reliability, excellent communication and customer service skills, and attention to detail are essential.

Outstanding ability to connect, engage, and communicate in a friendly, clear and inclusive manner with museum visitors from diverse backgrounds.

Skilled at interacting with a demanding public; ability to stay calm under pressure and in busy and crowded situations.

Proficiency with point-of-sale systems, touch screen devices, and an understanding of software applications are essential.

Experience handling cash and credit card transactions.

Fluency in English is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a museum or cultural institution.

Knowledge of a second language.

Workplace culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at The Frick Collection, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles: the ability to interact in-person with colleagues and use common office tools and machines (computer, phone); and the ability to traverse throughout the offices and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum, and visit different levels of the building. Ability to carry/transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds, including lifting and storing visitors’ coats and belongings.

Employment Status, Work Hours and Compensation

This is a part-time nonexempt role.

The Museum hosts events and other activities for members, donors and the public on evenings and weekends. In addition to working museum opening hours, Visitor Experience Assistants may be relied upon to work to support these additional evening and weekend events.

Visitor Experience Staff are generally scheduled to work between 16 and 24 hours per week, though may be scheduled to work up 28 hours per week; shifts may vary but are expected to be 8 hours/day 2-3 days/week, including an unpaid lunch break.

Upon reopening The Frick’s opening hours will be Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 - 6:00 PM; on Fridays hours are extended to 9:00 PM.

The Museum is closed on all Federal Holidays, as described below.

Compensation: $22.50/ hour.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Sick time: part-time employees and interns accrue sick leave up to 56 hours/year in accordance with the New York City Earned Sick Time Act.

Paid Holidays: part-time employees receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees and interns in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b).

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets.

Meal and Museum Shop discount: When employees are working onsite, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. All employees are eligible to receive a discount on Frick Museum Shop purchases.

Application Process

Apply here or send required cover letter and resume to:

Head of Visitor Services and Government Affairs

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021