Queens Museum Visitor Assistant
Education Department Overview:
Committed to openness, the Queens Museum offers free and low-cost award-winning
education opportunities for pre-k children to seniors. Our educational programs put
learners at the center of meaningful experiences with our exhibitions and programs. We
emphasize collaboration, inclusiveness and ties to local and global communities.
Responsibilities
The visitor experience program is part of an initiative to enhance the personal
experiences and connections visitors have with the Queens Museum’s wide array of
exhibitions, projects and programs. Visitor Assistants serve as advocates for the visitor
while promoting the safety of the museum; communicating consistently with visitors to
ensure a positive museum experience. Visitor Assistants will be stationed and rotated
throughout the Queens Museum’s galleries and project spaces and are responsible for
interacting with the general public and safeguarding our exhibitions. These flexible parttime positions are excellent preparation and introductions to careers in arts and culture.
Visitor Assistants will participate in an ongoing rigorous training and professional
development program led by accomplished museum, cultural and educational
professionals as part of a team of talented arts and museum educators.
Education and interpretation: Visitor Assistants are responsible for projecting an attitude
of openness and access to all visitors in the galleries. While stationed in the galleries,
Visitor Assistants will use a variety of strategies (e.g. verbal, touch objects, prompts,
multi-sensory, hunt cards , games, mobile devices) to inquire about visitor needs,
interests and questions and use specialized knowledge about the museum and our
exhibitions to deepen and enhance visitor connection, engagement and understanding
of the museum’s exhibitions and projects. Specifically, these responsibilities include but
are not limited to: Actively participating in a required paid ongoing Visitor Assistant
professional development program covering exhibition content, visitor engagement
strategies, customer service and security. Entering into natural conversations with
visitors regarding exhibitions, encouraging and inviting authentic visitor feedback and
response to exhibitions. Answering questions and providing contextual information about
the exhibits and the Queens Museum. Using discretion, approaching/engaging visitors
as appropriate, respecting boundaries and personal space, thoughtfully monitoring body
language and facial expression, always communicating in a respectful and professional
manner. Directing visitors to and explaining interpretative materials as appropriate to
visitor interest (e.g. wall text, labels, brochures, video, audio media). Directing visitors to
other exhibitions throughout the museum as relevant to visitor interests (promoting
connections and linkages). Directing visitors to relevant educational resources (e.g.
books in our gift shop, print brochures, reading rooms, online resources on tablet
computers, local library branches and community organizations). Directing visitors and
encouraging participation in self-guided activity stations and/or interactive exhibitions
and projects throughout the museum. Ensure that guests of varying needs and abilities
all have proper access to exhibitions and the museum as a whole. Periodically
collaborating with resident artists and promoting visitor participation on short-term artist
projects in the galleries. Dreaming up and proposing new, experimental and
nontraditional strategies to promote visitor engagement in the museum. Periodically
collecting data and participating in action research on visitor engagement to support the
museum’s general research and audience analysis efforts (e.g. counting, periodic
surveys, behavioral observation).
Gallery safety and security: The Queens Museum, like many other museums, is
responsible for preserving art and historical objects for future generations and
simultaneously making those objects as accessible as possible to the public to learn
from and interact with. Carefully balancing those priorities, Visitor Assistants will work
closely with the Visitor Experience Manager and our security staff to: Be knowledgeable
of and ensure that visitors comply with museum policies regarding exhibitions and safety
in the galleries (e.g. photography, materials, touching, proximity to fragile objects).
Communicate those policies in a direct, friendly and respectful manner (e.g. using
positive language, providing explanations, redirecting visitors etc.). Monitor the flow of
traffic to provide a smooth flow of visitation. Monitor visitors to ensure that all guests who
enter the galleries have checked in at our admissions desks. Serve as “eyes and ears”
on the gallery floors, monitoring and proactively communicating with security staff
regarding potential safety issues or hazards. Monitors the gallery space and reports on
any incidents or issues.
Customer service: Respond to general visitor inquiries about the museum, (e.g. location
of amenities gift shop, café, visiting hours, directions): Direct traffic in the museum, help
visitors find and locate exhibitions that may not be readily obvious. Look to pro-actively
help/assist visitors as necessary. Inform visitors about public events and programs
happening at the museum and offsite community programs and events as
appropriate/relevant. Assist in maintaining the inventory of museum brochures and
literature throughout the galleries. Work with visitor experience manager and
maintenance staff to monitor cleanliness and presentation of gallery spaces throughout
the museum. Visitor assistants will also staff the front desk: greeting and orienting
visitors to the museum, operating our ticketing system and ensuring a smooth and
positive initial museum experience.
Perform other duties as directed by management.
Qualifications
We seek reliable, empathetic, outgoing, creative and intellectually curious individuals to
serve as Visitor Assistants in our galleries. Successful visitor assistants will have:
Friendly and outgoing, able to conduct oneself in a polite and professional manner in a
variety of situations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to assert
oneself when needed in order to enforce policies and protect artwork. Experience
working in a fast-paced environment. Ability to use good judgment and to respond in
handling crowds and waiting lines; remain calm and present a professional demeanor.
Willingness to learn about and open-mindedness about art and historical exhibitions at
the museum.
Successful candidates will also have: High school diploma, some college a strong plus.
Demonstrated knowledge, interest and experience with arts, cultural, historical
exhibitions/organizations a strong plus; Experience in one or more of the following areas
a strong plus: education/teaching, hospitality, security, retail, customer service, Second
language skills a major plus (particularly Spanish, Mandarin, Korean speakers). Existing
familiarity with the Queens Museum is a strong plus. Former or current participants
in/from Queens Museum public, community or education programs are strongly
encouraged to apply.
Please note that this work will require standing for long periods of time, adherence to
dress code and museum policies. Visitor Services Assistants will work a set schedule
during weekdays, weekends and potentially some holiday hours.
Compensation and schedule
$10/hr, 15-20 hours a week with the possibility of additional special event shifts based
on seniority and performance.
To Apply (contact info):
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and a current resume to:
ledmondson@queensmuseum.org and jyoon@queensmuseum.org
Resumes will be accepted for this position on an ongoing basis. Selected candidates
will be contacted as positions become available.