Bridgehouse Museum Associate

Bridgehouse Museum Associate

Organization:

Friends of the Chicago River [more info]

Salary:

$20.50/hr Duties and

Responsibilities:

SUMMARY Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization exclusively dedicated to improving the Chicago-Calumet River system. Friends of the Chicago River is looking for an energetic and enthusiastic museum associate who will help thousands of visitors discover the wonders of our rivers at our McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Uniquely located inside a historic five-story bridge tower on Michigan Avenue, the Bridgehouse Museum celebrates Chicago's river system and world-renowned movable bridges and helps inspire people to participate in the river's recovery. As part of a small team, you will welcome museum visitors, sell tickets and memberships, help visitors discover the historic and environmental significance of the Chicago-Calumet River system and its bridges. You will engage with the public via our outdoor science station, and lead small groups on educational tours. You will gain experience in guest services, exhibit interpretation, financial transaction reconciliation, and the inner workings of a small museum. This position is seasonal and requires working on weekends. The Bridgehouse Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. between May 9 and October 25, 2026, and occasionally for special events during the evening. We require a commitment for the entire season for this position.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Three Museum Associate positions are being hired for the 2026 season. Each position will work 4 days, 28 hours per week, 9:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. most days. All positions are required to work Saturday and Sunday, and will be scheduled for two additional days Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday. Flexibility in scheduling is preferred.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

? Open and close the museum daily; with key holder responsibilities ? Staff the front desk at the entrance to the museum and greet visitors as they arrive ? Sell admission tickets, Friends of the Chicago River memberships and merchandise ? Help interpret museum exhibits; welcome tour groups and lead 60 minute walking tours ? Staff the Chicago River is Wild Science Station which includes interpreting wildlife displays, running a watershed model, and other fun family-friendly activities ? Work with museum director on developing special independent programming ? Track basic visitor information and collect visitor surveys ? Respond to general queries regarding the museum, Friends of the Chicago River, other local attractions, directions, etc. ? Conduct daily tasks which include light cleaning, organizing supplies, balancing transactions at the end of the day, and communicating with supervisor about any issues

Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

? High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor's degree a plus ? Enthusiasm for the environment and Chicago history ? Excellent customer service and communication skills, both oral and written ? Experience in museum, entertainment, or hospitality environments ? Experience in sales and cash transactions ? Proficient in use of computer, especially basic graphic design, social media management, and google drive programs ? Professional, courteous and friendly demeanor ? Ability to do multiple tasks simultaneously, including climbing several flights of stairs multiple times daily ? Must work weekends and holidays and occasional evenings

Teen Opportunity:

No How to

Apply:

APPLY TO

jobs@chicagoriver.org Please email a resume and cover letter as a PDF file describing: your interest in this position, the ways in which you satisfy the qualifications specified above, and three references to the attention of Josh Coles at jobs@chicagoriver.org.

Please use the subject line:

Museum Associate 2026. No applications will be considered without a personalized cover letter detailing the applicant's specific interest in this position. No calls, direct emails, or USPS mail please.

Address:

376 N. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60601

Categories:

Education, Environmental/Biological Science, Guest/Visitor Services, Other

Type:

Part-Time Job

Timeframe:

Seasonal

Contact:

Josh Coles Museum Director (312)939-0490 ext. 28 jcoles@chicagoriver.org (

Posted:

3/24/26)