Job Description

Niagara University is a liberal arts university, steeped in the Vincentian and Catholic traditions, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,300 students. Located just a few miles away from one of the world's premier tourism destinations, Niagara Falls, the university occupies a lovely campus overlooking the Niagara River gorge. Its close proximity to major cultural and business centers in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto as well as the award-winning Niagara Wine Trail and several nearby cultural destinations make Niagara University an ideal place to work and live. If you'd like to know more, be sure to check out all of the NU Facts

With learning and public access at the heart of its mission, the Castellani Art Museum (CAM) seeks a Visitor Services Lead to oversee visitor experience and front desk operations at the Castellani Art Museum during public hours and special events.

The Visitor Services Lead acts as a model visitor services representative, ensuring guests and visitors are greeted and given information to make their visits meaningful and welcoming. They are able to work alongside P/T Visitor Services staff, work-study students, interns, and volunteers, offering simple oversight. The Visitor Services Lead balances being a friendly host and museum representative with being a responsible steward of the facilities and collection. This person also oversees the scheduling of Front Desk staff (P/T Visitor Services and Work Study students) and security of collections and of the building during the weekend and off-hour functions.

The CAM is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday. The front-of-house work schedule, for this position, ( primarily Thursday-Sunday) includes weekends, some weekdays (TH/FRI), and some weekday special events after hours. Hours would range from 8-20 per week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Coordinate and ensure the daily smooth operation of the museum, including the security of collections and the building on weekends and during off-hour events;
• Track the number of visitors and key visitor information, closely monitor guests via security cameras;
• Open and close the museum on assigned weekend days and weekday evenings/after hours for special events during the museum's off-hours as directed by the supervisor;
• Manage, coordinate, and supervise work-study students and P/T Visitor

Service staff. Develop and implement monthly work schedule for V/S and W/S Front Desk Staff and train student employees(W/S) for front desk coverage and all event participation.

• Participate in the CAM Team Meetings (Wed 10-11am) (when appropriate) and report on events, security, data, visitor services points of interest
• Perform actions to maintain the safety and security of the museum, its collection and persons in the museum such as early closings, evacuations, or weather emergency procedures; alert Campus Safety, the Museum Director and/or the Operations Manager in the event of any emergency situation within or around the Castellani Art Museum property;
• Maintain confidentiality of information (including but not limited to: museum collections and security protocols, student and employee personal information), both during and after their employment with the University.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

50% Welcome guests into the Castellani Art Museum, share important information to ensure an interesting and educational visit and answer guest questions, ensure safety protocols are in place, capture visitor information, manage donations and sales

30% Coordinate and ensure smooth operations of museum and building on weekends and during off-hours events; act as a steward to ensure the safety and security of the collection; report incidents to museum staff as needed

15% Develop and maintain monthly Front Desk schedules for P/T Visitor Service members and Work Study students, offer guidance and oversight to P/T Visitor Services staff, work study students, and interns that assist with visitor services or event functions

5% Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability and interest in working with various diverse community groups and the general public;
• Ability to work non-traditional business hours on a regular basis;
• Knowledge of museum security policies and procedures;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to assist guests and share information with CAM staff;
• Ability to receive telephone calls, respond to inquiries and provide clear verbal and written communication to others;
• Ability to operate computers, iPad, access the internet and communicate via email, operate a cash register, as well as cash handling skills;
• Excellent organizational skills with proven ability to think quickly and decisively in an emergency and give direction and orders;
• Ability to write reports and communicate with campus officials and other agencies in an emergency;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with proficiency to handle various office machines including but not limited to a computer, calculator, copy machine and fax.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

The functions of the position are usually performed sitting at the museum's front desk. Some amount of walking, climbing stairs, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting up to 30 lbs., watching security monitors for long periods of time, pushing, pulling and other movements may be required. Tasks involving working on a computer keyboard, calculator, cutting, labeling, and taping involve extensive wrist and hand movements. All individuals are required to be able to perform these movements without significant risk of injury to themselves or others.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• High school diploma required.
• Experience working with the public in a visitor services or service capacity
• Art or history museum and/or campus security experience is a plus.

TO APPLY

Please upload your resume or CV, three professional references, and a short cover letter outlining your interest and applicable qualifications for the role.