Job Description

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POSITION TITLE: Museum Assistant (Gallery/Visitor Assistant) (Hourly)

REQUISITION #: req8681

DEPARTMENT: Arts & Culture

LOCATION: MUSEUM/DISCOVERY CENTER

BENEFIT CATEGORY: Variable Hourly Hourly Employee Benefit Highlights

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time Hourly

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

HOURLY RATE: $15.16 per hour

SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MT on 11/10/2026. The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-Offer Requirements

• Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.

At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

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.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

CITY COMPETENCIES- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.

• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position.- Understands the mission and values of FCMoD.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently.
• Has a knowledge of the museum gallery and other visitor spaces.
• Demonstrates proficiency with computer POS systems and cash handling.- Can assess and prioritize tasks.VALUES-BASED BEHAVIORS
• Is friendly and courteous.
• Enjoys working with people.
• Has a "customer first" attitude.
• Listens attentively to others.
• Asks clarifying questions to better understand the views and assumptions of others.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Actively participates in joint problem solving.
• Willingly cooperates with co-workers.
• Follows rules, regulations, and policies.
• Is punctual and reliable.
• Positively contributes to implementing changes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

One to two years’ experience in customer service preferred.

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements in this job description but may only meet some of the qualifications. We encourage applicants to apply if much of this job description describes them. As part of our commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we invest in building teams with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Able to clearly and effectively communicate verbally and in writing; ability to speak, read, and write a language other than English a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; extended periods of walking and moderate physical activity required. Use hands to feel and manipulate tools and materials and reach with hands and arms. Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. FCMoD adheres to requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.

Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.

The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.