Weekend Visitor Services Attendant, Bayou Bend

Summary

The Visitor Services Attendant is one of the vital first points of contact for patrons of Bayou Bend the Museum of Fine Arts Houstons house museum for American decorative arts and paintings.

The VSA will warmly greet and welcome visitors offer admission information or directions as needed and may share special attractions or events of the day while providing for an exceptional start to their visit.

Responsibilities:

When in the Gazebo:

• Greet visitors and docents as they arrive
• Provide information and literature to visitors and keep inventory stocked
• Make sure all visitors who purchased tickets at the visitor center have their stickers
• Sell admission tickets using computerized system (opening and closing entering visitor data and reconciling daily sales) with Visitor Services Manager Bayou Bend
• Sell and renew memberships to the museum
• Maintain daily docent log-in and touring sheets
• Maintain daily attendance records
• Scan tickets for guest entry to museum and special events
• Assist with ease of entrance during high-traffic events (crowd control) as needed
• Direct guests to Bayou Bend and to the Visitor Cottage; announces arrival of special visitors and vendors; accepts deliveries
• Provide assistance with answering the primary telephone extension for Bayou Bend when needed
• Cross-trained to fulfill Visitor Services Attendant responsibilities at Bayou Bend historic property and at the Kilroy Visitor and Education Center
• Must be able to work overtime for special and seasonal events when needed
• Work with other Bayou Bend staff in a team environment
• Wait for a security guard to close the entrance gate to bridge at close of business day
• Other duties as assigned

Visitor Center:

• Greet visitors and docents as they arrive
• Provide information and literature to visitors and keep inventory stocked
• Explain to visitors the various tour options (60 min 90 min or self-guided depending on date)
• Sell admission tickets using computerized system (opening and closing entering visitor data and reconciling daily sales with Visitor Services Manager Bayou Bend
• Sell and renew memberships to the museum
• Scan tickets for guest entry to museum and special events
• Assist with ease of entrance during high-traffic events (crowd control) as needed
• Direct guests to Bayou Bend and to the Visitor Cottage; announce arrival of special visitors and vendors; accept deliveries
• Answer the primary telephone extension for Bayou Bend
• Provide directions to and from Bayou Bend and offer recommendations for local eateries etc
• Maintain daily attendance records
• Maintain Bayou Bend brochure records
• Ensure that the rooms in the facility are set up as specified for customers renting them; ensure that audio/visual components are working properly; ensure that customers know how to use the equipment
• Fulfill routine office functions including mailings as needed
• Cross-trained to fulfill Visitor Services Attendant responsibilities at Bayou Bend historic property
• Must be able to work overtime for special and seasonal events when needed
• Work with other Bayou Bend staff in a team environment
• Other duties as assigned

When in the Cottage:

• Greet visitors and docents as they arrive
• Provide information and literature to visitors and keep inventory stocked
• Sell admission tickets using computerized system (opening and closing entering visitor data and reconciling daily sales with Visitor Services Manager Bayou Bend
• Sell and renew memberships to the museum
• Maintain daily docent log-in and touring sheets
• Scan tickets for guest entry to museum and special events
• Assist with ease of entrance during high-traffic events (crowd control) as needed
• Provide assistance with answering the primary telephone extension for Bayou Bend when needed
• Sell shop items using computerized system (opening and closing)
• Cross-trained to fulfill Visitor Services Attendant responsibilities at Bayou Bend historic property and at the Kilroy Visitor and Education Center
• Must be able to work overtime for special and seasonal events when needed
• Work with other Bayou Bend staff in a team environment
• Other duties as assigned

Skills Knowledge and Abilities:

• Must have excellent verbal and interpersonal skills combined with a professional welcoming demeanor and good organizational abilities
• Enthusiastic by nature with a desire to be part of a cultural organization
• Able to maintain all of the above while (occasionally) effectively and tactfully having to deal with visitor complaints and concerns
• Able and willing to work with minimum supervision (while sitting) for long periods of time
• Must also be able to occasionally bend stoop perform light lifting and stand for long periods of time
• Basic computer skills required
• May be asked or needed to work overtime for certain special and seasonal events with advance notice
• Desire to work as a team member and project a positive attitude with a Can Do spirit
• Ability to respond to security or emergency situations calmly and with good judgement

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED
• Previous experience (and success) with customer service or visitor interaction

Preferred Candidates may also possess:

• Some college coursework in related fields of study
• Experience in museum or hospitality industry
• Previous experience with computerized ticket sales helpful
• Languages in addition to English helpful/strongly preferred!

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600 employees and 1000 docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space memberships endowments and attendance with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings a sculpture garden two art schools three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer MFAH offers a supportive collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive compensation package.

Position Available:

Title: Weekend Visitor Services Attendant @ Bayou Bend

Classification: Nonexempt/Hourly

Schedule: Part Time

Pay Rate: $16.50/hr.

Work Location: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

As noted above work will be performed at Bayou Bend in three fixed locations gazebo visitors center and the cottage. Work will involve extended sitting and computer use. With or without reasonable accommodation the individual selected must have the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential addition to the other demands mentioned the demands of the job may or will include:

• Required ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Seeing hearing speaking and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff guests and others.
• Frequent sitting standing and walking which may be required for long periods of time and may involve moving about the vast grounds at Bayou Bend.
• Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH we believe that diversity equity accessibility and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity inclusion and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race creed color age gender sexual orientation religion national origin gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore if much of this job description describes you then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed please contact the human resources department:

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration.

Application materials should include a cover letter your resume or CV and if you prefer a list of references will be accepted but not required at this early stage in the process.

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail fax or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration.