Weekend Visitor Services Attendant, Bayou Bend

MFAH•Houston, TX

4d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

The Visitor Services Attendant is one of the vital first points of contact for patrons of Bayou Bend, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s 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

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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!

Responsibilities

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
Explain to visitors the various tour options (60 min, 90 min, or self-guided, depending on date)
Provide directions to and from Bayou Bend, and offer recommendations for local eateries, etc
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
Sell shop items using computerized system (opening and closing)