Visitor Engagement Associate (General Interest)

Obama Foundation•Chicago, IL

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Visitor Engagement Associate supports guest engagement at the Obama Presidential Center, including campus tours and museum exhibit experiences. The role is a primary point of contact for guests and external stakeholders and helps deliver an inclusive, welcoming experience. Associates rotate among tours, exhibit narratives, and programming guidance, and build knowledge of Center programming, exhibits, digital assets, and campus facilities. The position is based in person at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago. Associates wear a uniform provided by the Center. The Associate reports directly to the Manager, Visitor Education and Engagement, and receives day-to-day instruction and support from the Supervisors, Visitor Education and Engagement. The role requires flexibility to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays, and across indoor and outdoor campus environments. The pay rate is $24.00 per hour.

Requirements

Experience with and willingness to learn local historical context, and ability to articulate narratives to diverse audiences.
Interest in and/or experience speaking directly with members of the public while providing a welcoming and inclusive experience regardless of background.
Flexibility to work varying hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays, in indoor and outdoor campus environments.
Ability to work at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Responsibilities

Navigate a fast-paced environment and rotate between leading tours, explaining exhibit narratives, and providing programming guidance.
Provide strong customer service and refer visitors to another staff member when needed.
Engage directly with guests to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Build and maintain knowledge of Obama Presidential Center programming and exhibits to anticipate guest questions and support exhibit navigation.
Work with onsite security to support a welcoming and safe guest experience, including crowd management and evacuation if necessary during an emergency.
Collaborate with Visitor Services and Volunteer Ambassadors to create a positive visitor experience.
Maintain knowledge of updated exhibit and gallery narratives and translate context for diverse audiences inclusively.
Build and maintain knowledge of digital assets in Museum exhibits and assist visitors who need support using them.
Respond to guest questions and assistance needs as appropriate.
Participate in regularly scheduled training on evolving exhibit displays and Museum programming.
Guide visitors across campus grounds and buildings and answer general questions.
Independently complete routine tasks and resolve issues, escalating concerns to supervisors as needed.
Use discretion and independent judgment to resolve complex problems.
Perform other duties in the Visitor Engagement area as assigned.