Temporary Program/ Extension Aide - Visitor Center

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a part-time Visitor Center Assistant to join a dynamic team serving the Lab’s local and global audiences. The Cornell Lab’s Visitor Center in Sapsucker Woods offers visitors from near and far a unique chance to connect with the Lab and our mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biodiversity. The Visitor Center Assistant will play a key role in the Lab’s mission by providing a welcoming environment and engaging with the public. Highlighting the many experiences and exhibits within the newly redesigned Visitor Center the Visitor Center Assistant will serve as a bridge between the content and visitor. As the Visitor Center Assistant, you will work to support our public-facing efforts. Job responsibilities include: Serve as the ambassador of the Lab and its programs to visitors. As the first point of contact at the Front Desk, greet, orient, and direct visitors and groups, providing individualized guidance to ensure the best possible visit. Provide visitors with information on accessibility resources as needed. Address and resolve visitor needs, concerns, and questions diplomatically. Think creatively to solve issues and find solutions for unplanned events or circumstances. Assist with incoming emails and phone calls. Oversee and participate in opening and closing operations for the Visitor Center. Maintain inventory of materials and supplies in the Visitor Center, communicating any needs with the appropriate staff. Maintain exhibits, testing exhibit technology each day and reporting any issues to appropriate staff. Accept potential specimens for study skins and collect information. Check the observatory windows for bird collisions. Follow appropriate collection guidelines. Place calls to CU police, EMT, Environmental Health and Safety when needed. Serve as the main point of contact for volunteers and student employees running scheduled programs. Suggest programming and resources based on visitor needs and requests. Provide logistical support for special events and workshops when necessary. Communicate regularly with the Lab’s Facilities Team to make sure the Visitor Center, and trails at Sapsucker Woods are well-maintained, safe, and meet the needs of visitors and groups. This is a part-time temporary position with the option for renewal. This six month position will work a flexible schedule of 8-12 hours/week with the primary hours being Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY. Additional hours are available for holidays when the Visitor Center remains open, and when coverage is needed during weekdays.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have formal training beyond a HS diploma of 6 month to 1 year.
Three years of experience in customer service, in a museum or similar setting.
Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Excellent customer service and oral/written communication skills.
Must enjoy working with the public of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Basic clerical skills including filing, phone operation, office equipment, working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Zoom, Google Suite, Qualtrics, and other online platforms.
Ability to work independently and learn new technologies.
Must be flexible, show initiative, manage priorities, and maintain positivity with visitors and when unplanned.
Have knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, the Lab’s history, programs, research, and resources available to visitors.
Must exercise good judgment in emergency situations either in the building or on the trails.
Knowledge of North American birds and regional natural history.
Obtain and maintain PCI compliance training.
Required to be available on weekends and, if able, fill in on an emergency basis.
Must have demonstrated ability for working collaboratively and inclusively.
Proven ability to work in a team environment where cooperation between colleagues and flexibility to different styles and approaches is required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or other formal training.
Expertise in bird identification and biology.
Experience in environmental education and outreach, a museum, or a similar setting.
Knowledgeable about the local area and Finger Lakes region.
Experience in providing scientific content to the general public.

Responsibilities

Serve as the ambassador of the Lab and its programs to visitors.
As the first point of contact at the Front Desk, greet, orient, and direct visitors and groups, providing individualized guidance to ensure the best possible visit.
Provide visitors with information on accessibility resources as needed.
Address and resolve visitor needs, concerns, and questions diplomatically.
Think creatively to solve issues and find solutions for unplanned events or circumstances.
Assist with incoming emails and phone calls.
Oversee and participate in opening and closing operations for the Visitor Center.
Maintain inventory of materials and supplies in the Visitor Center, communicating any needs with the appropriate staff.
Maintain exhibits, testing exhibit technology each day and reporting any issues to appropriate staff.
Accept potential specimens for study skins and collect information.
Check the observatory windows for bird collisions.
Follow appropriate collection guidelines.
Place calls to CU police, EMT, Environmental Health and Safety when needed.
Serve as the main point of contact for volunteers and student employees running scheduled programs.
Suggest programming and resources based on visitor needs and requests.
Provide logistical support for special events and workshops when necessary.
Communicate regularly with the Lab’s Facilities Team to make sure the Visitor Center, and trails at Sapsucker Woods are well-maintained, safe, and meet the needs of visitors and groups.