Downtown Pittsfield Ambassador

Employment type: Part-time, Seasonal, Non-exempt

Compensation: $17.00/hour

Summer Season:

Estimated start date: Friday, June 28, 2024

Estimated end date:  Sunday, September 8, 2024

Hours: Up to 20 -30 hours a week, subject to available funding

Number of positions: Two to Three

Primary Schedule:  Friday, Saturday, and Sundays. Occasional Wednesday and Thursdays, plus Mondays when there is an observed holiday.

Extended Season:

Estimated start date: Friday, May 31, 2024

Estimated end date: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Hours During Extended Season: Up to 6-8 hours per week, subject to available funding

Number of positions:  One to Two

Primary Schedule:  Primarily Friday and Saturday.

Location: Downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts

TO APPLY: Send resume and cover letter by email to abetter@downtownpittsfield.com, Attention Rebecca Brien, Managing Director, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., by June 1, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Positions open until filled.

A great program starts with great people. We are looking for candidates who are willing to learn, can think on their feet, and who can provide a high level of customer service with a smile and a great attitude. If you take pride in your community and want to work to make it better, then this is the job for you. If you are bright, cheerful, friendly, compassionate, and have a desire to make a difference, you may have what it takes to be a part of the Downtown Pittsfield Ambassador team!

Job Description for Downtown Pittsfield Ambassadors:

The Downtown Pittsfield Ambassador Program is a partnership between Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), the City of Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) and the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority. The program addresses increased visitor presence during the summer and helps to relieve the demand on police presence downtown. This job also includes:

Customer Service: The Ambassadors are a welcoming source of information for residents, employees, and visitors. They help visitors find parking, offer directions and wayfinding, and provide information on dining, shopping, and cultural activities.

Safety: Ambassadors are trained by the PPD in CPR, public safety protocol, and are certified in First Aid. Ambassadors observe street activity and, when needed, call for assistance via police radios, which they are equipped with.

City Pride: The Ambassadors work as part of community teams to clean up trash, water plants and neighborhood beautification.

Business Check In: The Ambassadors develop relationships with local businesses and act as liaison between DPI and their members.

Ambassadors walk along North and South Streets between West Housatonic Street and Berkshire Medical Center, as well as First and McKay Streets. The Ambassadors wear a distinctive bright T-shirt identifying them as official representatives of Pittsfield and greet everyone with a smile. The goal of the program is to create a welcoming environment for everyone downtown by delivering on DPI’s mission to maintain a clean, safe, and friendly district. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the other Downtown Pittsfield Ambassadors, the PPD, DPI, and Berkshire Regional Transit Authority to serve the Downtown Pittsfield community by providing a high level of customer service.
• Communicate in a friendly manner with employees, residents, and visitors to:
  • exchange accurate information, directions and/or recommendations.
  • respond to questions from the public regarding directions, events, building locations, and parking.
• Deal effectively, tactfully, and compassionately with the public and use skill to interact with diverse groups of people regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation (M.G.L. Chapter 151 section 4).
• Delivery of LOVE Pittsfield Guidebooks and other printed collateral to establishments along the Downtown.
• Represent Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at special events, setting up tents as needed.
• Assist travelers from Berkshire Flyers arriving and departing.
• Cover assigned areas and be punctual and reliable.
• Keep sidewalks clear of debris.
• Prioritize and respond to situations and emergencies.
• Interact with downtown businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Report broken infrastructure, graffiti on private property, etc. and log reported conditions and how they were addressed or resolved.
• Maintain a positive, professional environment in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Positive demeanor and strong communication skills
• Ability to work and interact with the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• Ability to handle stressful situations, demonstrating diplomacy and tact under pressure.
• Ability to traverse sidewalks for up to eight hours in various outdoor weather conditions.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under minimal supervision, as well as part of a team.
• Experience using a smartphone.
• Ability to help people operate multi-space parking meters.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Downtown Pittsfield and its business and cultural community
• Multi-lingual
• Knowledge of available social services and other resources available to residents and visitors
• Demonstrated customer service or hospitality experience.

*Please note that candidates must pass a background check (CORI).

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

This is a non-benefited position.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage candidates of color, and/or from diverse backgrounds/underrepresented groups to apply.