Position:

Visitor Services Associate Immediate Supervisor:

Director of Visitor Services General Description:

The History Museum in South Bend seeks a welcoming and informative first point of contact for visitors to The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum, one of the region's most significant museum campuses. This position is responsible for creating a positive visitor experience by greeting guests, providing information about museum exhibitions, programs, memberships, and events, processing admissions, operating the museum store, and assisting with daily visitor operations. The Visitor Services Associate plays an important role in visitor access as aligned with the museum's commitment to preserving the region's local history to educate the public through collections, exhibits, and programs.

Employment Type:

This is an in-person, full-time, nonexempt position. The typical schedule averages 35-40 hours per week, typically 7-8 hours a day between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A regular weekly schedule will be set with adjustments occasionally required for special events, holidays, and projects.

Responsibilities:

Provides excellent customer service by greeting visitors in a friendly, professional, and welcoming manner and assisting with questions about museum offerings, exhibits, programs, and services. Maintains current knowledge of museum hours, admission fees, membership benefits, special events, exhibitions, and general information about The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum. Processes admissions, memberships, and retail transactions using museum ticketing and point-of-sale systems while maintaining accurate cash handling procedures. Operates computer, cash register, and telephone system. Operates the museum store by assisting visitors with purchases, maintaining attractive merchandise displays, monitoring inventory, and assisting with restocking, organization, and inventory. Supports daily museum operations by ensuring public spaces, galleries, and visitor areas are open, clean, organized, and prepared for guests. Assists with visitor inquiries by providing directions, information about local attractions, and other resources to enhance the visitor experience. Supports historic site operations by assisting with Oliver Mansion tours, including conducting scheduled and walk-in tours of Oliver Mansion and other historic properties as needed, providing engaging and accurate interpretation for visitors. Develops and maintains basic knowledge of museum collections, exhibits, historic sites, programs, membership benefits, and local history in order to answer visitor questions. Maintains reasonable knowledge of the local area to provide visitors with directions and other assistance. Maintains accurate visitor services records and forms, including cash reconciliation, lost and found documentation, incident reports, and other operational materials. Assists with museum programs, facility rentals, and special events as assigned. Maintains a professional appearance and supports museum policies, procedures, and standards of visitor service. Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate supervisor.

Requirements:

Strong customer service skills and the ability to interact professionally with visitors, volunteers, staff, and the public. Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to provide clear and accurate information. Strong public speaking skills and comfort presenting information to groups of visitors. Ability to learn and communicate historical information in an engaging and accessible manner. Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple responsibilities in a busy public environment. Ability to operate computers, point-of-sale systems, telephones, and basic office equipment. Experience with retail, admissions, hospitality, customer service, or museum operations preferred. Interest in local history, museums, education, or cultural organizations preferred. Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment. Ability to stand for extended periods and perform routine activities including walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Benefits:

Professional development/training opportunities Employee museum membership to both The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum. Paid Holidays and vacation/sick PTO Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance Retirement Plan Employee Assistance Program About the History Museum The History Museum began in 1867 as the Northern Indiana Historical Society. It is the second oldest and second largest historical society in the state of Indiana, with a mission to preserve our region's heritage and educate the public through our collections, exhibits, and programs to develop an informed understanding of the past. The museum's scope includes the twelve counties of the St. Joseph River Valley and tells the area's diverse history through its nine galleries, three historic homes, and over 600,000 artifacts. This list of essential functions and job description is not exhaustive and does not imply definitive duties to be performed by this employee. The Facilities & Grounds Technician will be required to perform other duties as assigned by the appropriate supervisor. The History Museum may revise or update job descriptions or duties at any time. No phone calls, please

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$15.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person