Visitor Services and Shop Assistant

29-Jul-2022

Harvard Art Museums

58334BR

Position Description

Job Summary:
Visitor Services and Shop Assistants will be responsible for greeting and orienting visitors, providing information about events, exhibitions, interpretive materials, programs, and policies, generating revenue through admissions sales and museum shop sales, and providing logistical support for events and public programs.   Visitor Services and Shop Assistants will be required to engage with all visitors in a professional and courteous manner.

Schedule:  Wednesday and Saturday, 9:30-5 pm, Thursday, 1-5:30 pm, Friday, 10-5:30 pm

Duties & Responsibilities:
Welcoming and assisting visitors

• Admit and greet visitors and provide assistance and information on general policies, wayfinding, building amenities, exhibitions, programs, membership opportunities, and other Harvard information as appropriate.
• Inform visitors about interpretive materials and assist visitors with accessing materials on iPads and other mobile devices.
• Gain knowledge and keep informed of all museum programming and events
• Promptly and courteously answer the main information line for the museums and direct calls as necessary.
• Welcome and process group visits using the electronic reservations system.
• Be familiar with data and information on the museum's track; ask pertinent questions to gather data; input data using a computerized Point of Sale System (POS).
• Provide logistical support for events and public programs.
• Assist with crowd flow and crowd management, including timed ticket entries for special events and other programs.
• Assist visitors with lockers, storage needs, docent stools, wheelchair, and stroller needs.

Generating revenue and daily operation

• Use POS to process admission fees appropriate for visitor categories, following departmental policies and procedures.
• Proactively engage with museum shop visitors to ascertain their needs and offer appropriate merchandise or publication suggestions.
• Keep informed about vendors and products to answer inquiries and assist customers to make merchandise and publications purchases.
• Accurately and efficiently process all merchandise sales using POS, upholding the museums and University Information Security and Credit Card Compliance policies.
• Restock the shop merchandise, report needs for products and supplies, maintain the shop cleanliness, organize displays and storage, and assist with inventory control, both manually and electronically.
• Accurately reconcile daily receipts using POS System and prepare deposit reports based on cash received as well as credit card slips and checks.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures of the museums.
• Be aware of your surroundings and raise concerns and issues with the supervisor immediately to resolve problems, such as furniture being out of place, malfunctioning equipment, etc.
• Report operations issues to appropriate staff on a timely basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role.
Minimum of one year of related experience working in a public service environment operating a computerized cash register.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Demonstrated customer service and interpersonal skills needed (pleasant, resourceful, engaged, patient, and professional demeanor).  Retail and admissions experience is strongly preferred.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  Possess and exhibit a helpful, calm, and friendly demeanor.  Must be detail-oriented, reliable, and punctual.  Technological aptitude including familiarity with mobile devices.  Ability to work effectively with the public in a fast-paced high-volume atmosphere.  Ability to identify and carry out projects independently during slow times.  Interest in museums and art is a plus.  Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.  Multilingual preferred.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 25lb. Able to walk, stand, stoop, push and pull; must be able to reach and work about the shoulder, climb ladders, lift, kneel, twist, and squat.

Additional Information

Requires appropriate attire as described by the department.  Must present a clean, neat, and professional image at all times.  The Harvard Art Museums are open year-round, so this position will be scheduled to work on some holidays. Requires participation in customer service training.

Occasional weekend/evening work may be required.

PLEASE NOTE: We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 and the lifting of restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process. We will be conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates until further notice.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found on the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Job Function

General Administration

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

403016 Staff Assistant I-Specialist

Department

Visitor Services

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, Criminal, Identity

Schedule

Part-time. 25.5 hours per week. 

Schedule:  Wednesday and Saturday, 9:30 am - 5 pm, Thursday, 1 pm - 5:30 pm, Friday, 10 am - 5:30 pm

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.