Guest Experience Associate (Part-Time)

National Children’s Museum is a world-class institution that aims to spark children’s imaginations and encourage them to dream. Steps from the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, National Children’s Museum celebrates the joy of childhood through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits and programs. As Guest Experience Associate, you will help realize this vision for hundreds of thousands of guests each year.

A critical member of the Museum team, the Guest Experience Associate will make the Museum come to life by welcoming and interacting with our guests, and supporting Museum educational activities, programs, and events. You will help the Museum run efficiently and make the Museum a welcome, exciting, and accessible space for all.

what you’ll do:

• Provide a fun, engaging, and excellent guest experience from initial greeting through final exit;
• Provide a welcoming environment for all guests to the Museum while greeting and scanning tickets, operating the point of sale and CRM systems, orienting guests to the space, and answering guest questions;
• Provide visitors with information regarding Museum exhibits, memberships, special events, birthday parties, and ticketing information;
• Ensure the safety and security of all guests and staff;
• Ensure the entrance, lobby, gift shop, and other areas are kept clean and organized, including restocking items as needed;
• Perform museum opening and closing and exhibit start up and shut down procedures as required;
• Conduct regular cleaning of Museum exhibit and program areas and ensure Museum areas are ready for guest use and are reset at the end of the day or program;
• Clean, reset, and tidy exhibit areas and other public spaces throughout the day;
• Report exhibit and facility repair, maintenance, and safety concerns to appropriate staff;
• Promote a welcoming environment by engaging with children and families to maximize learning and enjoyment in the Museum;
• Monitor daily guest engagement, customer service, lost children, accident/incident intervention and reporting, lost + found, etc.;
• Deliver a variety of educationally-focused guest engagements, including early childhood programs, pop-up activities and demonstrations, tinkering activities, and more - while ensuring alignment with the Museum’s educational approach and values;
• Provide support for cross-departmental activities and programs, including birthday parties, field trips, and special events onsite and offsite;
• Support educators as needed during field trips, family programs, and special events and assist with guest flow;
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and trainings;
• Remain knowledgeable of Museum exhibits, programs, services, and policies;
• Adhere to Museum policies and procedures and ensure the safety and security of all
• visitors and staff;
• Welcome other tasks and responsibilities as needed to ensure the Museum’s success.

what we believe are important experiences + traits for this role

• Comfortable working with children and their caregivers;
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of staff and guests;
• Previous experience with young children and their families in recreational settings or experience in retail, sales, or customer service preferred;
• Demonstrate patience, professional demeanor, and even temper in stressful and changing situations;
• Ability to communicate and interact with children, adults, and large groups in a fast-paced, high-volume environment;
• Ability to observe and learn from visitor feedback and behavior;
• High school diploma or equivalent experience;
• Fluency in a second language, a plus; and
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

physical demands + working environment:

• Ability to remain standing, walking, or sitting for long periods, move up to 40 lbs., and interact with children and adults in our exhibits, including a three-story climber and slide;
• Occasional work outdoors;
• Fast-paced, highly sensory, stimulating work environment due to constant noise and interaction with other staff and visitors, which includes children;
• Punctuality and attendance required;
• Availability on weekends, occasional evenings, and holidays;