Museum Assistant (Gallery/Visitor Assistant)

EMPLOYER OVERVIEW

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) is a unique institution that engages visitors in an innovative learning environment. FCMoD occupies a pivotal space in the cultural and educational life of our region and creates extraordinary experiences that explore the interplay of science and culture in ways that are deeply relevant to our community, our geography, and our shared history. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), and the only museum in Northern Colorado affiliated with the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Since opening in 2012, we have welcomed over 1 million visitors from all 50 states. Our exhibits gallery boasts long-term exhibits including First Peoples, music, wildlands, agriculture, astronomy, and more, including 4 buildings of regional historical importance at our Heritage Courtyard, the on-site Archive & Collections, and Northern Colorado’s only 360-degree immersive theater – the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater. Since 2016, we have welcomed touring special exhibitions from National Geographic, Science North, American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian, and more. The museum creates meaningful opportunities to learn, reflect, and have fun through hands-on and collections-based explorations in science and culture. We promote a team environment where curiosity, not certainty, informs our work.

JOB SUMMARY

A Gallery Assistant-Visitor Experience Team Member creates an environment of welcome and excitement, setting the stage for an exceptional visitor experience. They help ensure the museum exhibits are clean and functioning; engage with visitors and answer questions; assist with admission; staff our museum store; and serve as hosts for groups, event rentals and celebrations, and after-hours programs and events. The Visitor Experience Team works in a tracks-based system where employees are identified for specialized areas of work while maintaining the flexibility of working across areas of the museum to ensure a visitor-centered experience. All Visitor Experience Team members are trained at the Welcome Desk and have hours dedicated to that space.

POSITION CLASSIFICATION

This is an hourly, non-exempt position with the City of Fort Collins. Hourly pay starts at $15.16 per hour. This position accrues sick time and personal time off and qualifies for prorated holiday pay. Employee reports to the Senior Manager overseeing Exhibits and Collections. All museum employees receive a free museum membership during their employment.

REQUIRED AVAILABILITY

• This position is required to work the following days/times: Saturdays 8:30am-5:15pm with 45-minute lunch Sundays alternating weekly 8:30am-12:45pm and 1:00pm-5:15pm Mondays 9:00am-12:30pm
• One weekday shift at our Welcome Desk greeting visitors to complete a 20 hour week (days/times are flexible)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Gallery:

• Perform daily routine opening, maintaining, and closing the museum gallery.
• Assist visitors to provide deeper engagement with interactive exhibits.
• Work with colleagues to help facilitate programming and activities in the museum gallery.
• Perform deeper cleaning of specific areas/materials on a weekly/monthly schedule.
• Conduct regular museum walkthroughs and inspections to verify exhibits and facilities are clean and tidy. When required, provide an immediate response to custodial issues that may arise.
• Support other museum staff by being another set of eyes and ears in the gallery and other public spaces to identify issues that need attention.
• Maintain an adequate inventory of cleaning supplies required to complete the requirements of the position and notify the proper museum staff when supplies are needed.
• Follow safety and risk management procedures in public areas and workspaces.
• As required, provide support to other museum departments in the fulfillment of museum operational needs.

Welcome Desk/Museum Store:

• Create a positive environment for all, welcoming and engaging guests at each point of interaction.
• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors, providing museum information, answering questions and appropriately routing in person and telephone inquiries.
• Working with manager and colleagues, build an understanding of the experiences offered at FCMoD to ensure the sharing of accurate information with visitors.
• Participate in meetings and work groups to communicate visitor feedback, real- time observations, and opportunities for improvement in visitor serving functions.
• Guide visitors through admission options, including separately ticketed experiences and membership sales, to ensure accurate and detailed data entry and sales records.
• Assist visitors with Membership information including staffing the Membership table to provide in-depth knowledge about Membership Program.
• Assist visitors with sales in The Museum Store; share information on merchandise and offer assistance with product selection as appropriate; maintain familiarity with and proper stocking of merchandise.
• Process daily sales and sales reports at various point of sale locations and balance cash drawers.
• Perform specific assignments at the request of the Visitor Experience Manager.
• Ensure the cleanliness and organization of public areas including the Welcome Desk, Lobby, and the Museum Store. The ideal candidate is confident in their ability to perform this important work on behalf of FCMoD and open to feedback and new ideas. Working at FCMoD is a collaborative effort, and this position requires the ability to work within a team, as well as across all areas of the museum to create an unparalleled experience for the visitors the museum serves.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities of museum staff.