The San Diego Natural History Museum Visitor Services department is seeking an experienced, part-time Visitor Services Lead (VSL) to assist with running frontline admissions operations and providing superior customer service to Museum guests at our admissions desks, giant-screen theater, and Museum and exhibit entries during both daily operation and additional evening programming. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, while upholding Museum initiatives and standards with high quality guest service. Candidates must be dependable, trustworthy, professional, and positive at all times as this position is primarily focused on providing an engaging guest experience while leading a team of Visitor Services department staff.

This position requires part-time availability (up to 29 hours weekly, but with ability to fluctuate), with a strong focus on Friday evenings and weekends. Shifts will also include early mornings, heavy attendance weekdays, and holidays. This role is a 17-week commitment, and has little room for change from the preset schedule. This is a temporary position from May 6 through September 4, 2024.

Responsibilities include:  

• Running a multi-associate floor schedule by assessing floor needs, assigning tasks as necessary, and monitoring to ensure a smooth and efficient for both guests and staff.
• Conducting daily opening and closing procedures which include ensuring the Museum floor is prepared, work stations are stocked, signage is properly displayed, daily sales are reconciled, and a daily deposit is properly prepared.  
• Operating at a high level with little to no supervision during early morning or late evening programming, or on weekends.
• Providing consistent and excellent customer service to guests, members, staff, and all other visitors that may come into the Museum.  
• Collaborating with other Museum departments as needed.  
• Providing training, guidance, and support to Visitor Services Associates and fellow VSLs by providing the most current information on Museum exhibitions, films, and events as well as Visitor Services department processes and procedures.  
• Conducting all other general Visitor Services duties, including but not limited to: aiding guests in-person, over the phone, and/or via email with questions about the Museum and Balboa Park, selling tickets and memberships, surveying guests, describing Museum exhibitions with interest and accuracy; monitoring the cleanliness of exhibitions throughout the day; and, keeping up-to-date on current promotions, programs, and procedures.   

Necessary Qualifications (strong applicants have these):  

• Friendly personality with a guest-focused attitude and a commitment to creating a welcoming and fun atmosphere for the Museum's visitors and for your co-workers. 
• Professional demeanor, reliable, punctual, self-motivated and hardworking, who wants to be part of a diverse team that loves where they work.
• 3+ years of customer service experience  
• 3+ years of credit card/cash handling sales  
• 1+ years of coaching or leading other associates  
• Strong math aptitude  
• Ability to work and collaborate with a team  
• Comfortable with public speaking and leading a small group  
• Comfortable dealing with a wide array of guests and customer service situations  
• Ability to quickly learn and retain necessary processes, procedures, and information. 
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and communicate verbally for the majority of each shift.  

Desired Qualifications (the strongest applicants also have these): 

• Familiarity with Balboa Park or museums, and/or interest in natural science and the environment
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and/or Point of Sale (POS) ticketing software knowledge and experience.  
• Ability to speak Spanish  
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills  
• Weekend, night, and holiday availability and flexibility. We are open 7 days/week: 10am-7pm Monday through Thursday, 10am-10pm on Friday, and 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Days and operating hours are subject to change. We are also open on all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.   

Employees enjoy free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

The position pays $20.00/hour (time and a half on pre-selected holidays) and offers various opportunities for personal growth and professional development. 

This is a temporary position from May 6 through September 4, 2024.  

We will begin reviewing applications on April 22, 2024.