Posted August 27, 2014

Cooper Hewitt seeks dynamic Visitor Experience Associates (VEAs) to join the new Cooper Hewitt opening Friday, 12 December 2014. The museum will boast 60 percent more gallery space to present its important collection and temporary exhibitions and will offer an entirely new and invigorated visitor experience, with immersive creative technologies such as the Interactive Pen, Immersion Room and a Process Lab. VEAs will be passionate about the new visitor-centered mission of the museum as well as design and digital technology. This is exciting and historical moment to be a part of the new Cooper Hewitt.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Serves as part of a team of ambassadors, to provide a welcoming, personalized experience for all visitors and members. VEAs enthusiastically encourages engagement of Cooper Hewitt exhibitions, programs and new interactive visitor technologies.

Opportunity to work at five or more VE work stations including ticketing/admissions, interactive stations, process lab, coat check, historic garden and entrance and other central stations identified and changed depending on the needs of the museum that day. Stations may change frequently/daily.

Greets and orients visitors to the Museum’s Process Lab (PL) activities. Maintains and resets supplies for all PL activities. Keeps count of visitors entering the space.

Participates in regular briefings to stay informed of current/upcoming exhibitions, events and programs.

Demonstrates enthusiasm for design and technology by staying engaged in Cooper Hewitt’s
entirely new and invigorated visitor experience with interactive technologies.

Helps to coordinate the successful use of the members’ benefits that retains and keeps this constituency loyal and involved. Opportunity to increase membership enrollment by offering visitors membership information.

Participates in the day to day responsibility for cash drawers and cash handling. Strong cashing handling required.

Follows all cash control policies and procedures implemented by Head of Visitor Experience and the Director of Operations. Participates in all aspects of end-of-day revenue reconciliations and including gathering attendance and admissions information from all sources to create the daily report.

Develops a high level of proficiency with the POS system for admissions and ticketing as well as all digital and interactive devices used by museum visitors.

Handles visitors concerns, comments, and complaints in a highly respectful and diplomatic manner.

Manages visitor helpdesk/enquiry system.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

One year of experience serving in a visitor experience role (or equivalent) providing a welcoming, professional and personalized experience to the general public.

Ability to participate and contribute to a positive working environment to help fellow team members. Team player is essential.

Knowledge/experience/interest in art, design, museum education, theater or business/hospitality administration preferred.

Working knowledge and strong interest in digital technology to engage the public with Cooper Hewitt’s new immersion technologies such as the Interactive Pen, Immersion Room and Process Lab.

Good organization skills in order to maintain/monitor and distribute the Interactive Pen and well as maintain on going supplies for the Process Lab.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate diplomatically with the public and resolve complaints quickly and effectively. Overall interest in helping people is a must.

Experience with MAC and/or MS Office products, including Word, Excel and Outlook.

Experience with a Tessitura ticketing system, or similar complex CRM ticketing system. Strong cash and collecting payment skill required.

Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time.

Bi-lingual is highly preferred.

Passion and love of arts and design is a must!

Additional Requirements:
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events with limited notice.
• Essential position – must be able to report to duty (Cooper Hewitt located at 2 East 91st Street, NY, NY) during inclement weather conditions if the museum is open
• Punctuality is a required for this position.
• Start date is Monday, November 17, 2014
• Background investigation is required
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

Hourly Rate: $12.47 + premium pay

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS:

401k (TIAA CREF) Earn up to 12% free contributions once eligible
Health Insurance (Carefirst – Blue Cross Blue Shield)
Dental (Delta Dental)
Vision Care (Vision Services Care)
Free – Life Insurance (Prudential)
Voluntary Accidental Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefits (up to $130 per month free computer costs paid for)
Commuter Bicycle Reimbursement Program
Paid Vacation (Annual Leave)
Paid Sick Leave
Family Friendly Leave
Family Friendly Workplace
Historic and landmark museum, offices and garden
Smithsonian Networking
92Y Fitness Center
Amazing Employee Discounts
Entrance to Museums and Galleries (New York)
Research/Design Library
Employee Assistance Program/Counseling
Health Screenings (onsite)
Flu Vaccine (onsite)

Application Instructions
Please submit cover letter and resume (addressing qualification requirements) to HRvea@si.edu

Be sure to indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in full-time and/or part-time employment and confirm your availability to work during inclement weather, weekends, holidays and special events (with limited notice).