Museum Attendant (Part-Time, Permanent) - MASS MoCA - North Adams

Part-Time: 16 hours per week up to 27 hours per week, availability must include weekends

A Museum Attendant (MA) will be part of our Visitor Experience team, and requires a combination of customer service, visitor engagement, and basic art protection skills.

MAs are the stewards of the visitor experience at MASS MoCA. They enthusiastically and confidently share their knowledge about exhibitions and artists; promote performing arts and public programs; explain MASS MoCA’s history and architecture; invite visitors to explore the North Adams community and the Berkshires at large; and impart any other information that provides visitors the best possible experience at the museum and in the surrounding community.

MA team members will be trained to interact with diverse audiences, to foster connections between visitors and the works of art on view, and to encourage dialogue.

MAs ensure that artworks are protected and that visitors follow museum policies regarding parameters for food or drink in the galleries, as well as photography of and contact with artwork.

Museum Attendants report to the Visitor Experience Manager, who, through collaboration with staff across the institution, provides oversight for all museum attendant functions, ensuring that our visitor experience aligns with the museum’s mission.

The Museum Attendant will assist team members by working closely with the Visitor Experience Manager, Museum Attendant Coordinator and other department leads with current and new team training, scheduling changes, and other responsibilities as determined by the Visitor Experience leadership team.

Requirements

• Demonstrates the highest level of guest service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging to all museum visitors and staff
• Assists with museum opening and/or closing operational procedures including, but not limited to: turning on artwork, projectors/monitors, gallery/building lights, refilling gallery guides, review daily reservation systems, special exhibits preparations, and when assigned, adjusting daily schedules and breaks
• Answer questions and provide exhibition content, museum information, and city history to visitors, helping visitors engage with the artwork, museum programs, and performances. After three months of employment and training, eligible to sign up to give public and /or private tours
• Ensure visitors are wearing proper admission stickers/wristbands
• Assists in training new team members
• Protects the artwork when posted in galleries, monitoring restricted items and visitor behavior for touching of art
• Completes daily art checks of exhibits and galleries
• Assists with exhibition reservations for specific installations (including using technology for reservations)
• Assists with managing visitor flow and control into exhibition reservation spaces for specific installations by ensuring efficient crowd control and line management
• Assists with wayfinding, providing directions and suggestions for best routes through the museum
• Work special events, performances, opening receptions, public programs, and other programs as assigned
• Promote museum membership; understand any special promotions and changes
• The Museum Attendant may be cross-trained in other visitor experience roles, including for Box Office support, and may be assigned job-share shifts as needed to support institutional needs
• Attend all mandatory department and institutional training/meetings
• Performing other duties as assigned or needed

• Minimum 1-2 years of front-line customer service experience; museum/cultural organization preferred.
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• Demonstrates ability to use iPad, virtual reality (VR) set ups and other technical equipment
• Outgoing personality and enthusiastic to interact with visitors and colleagues
• Is capable of working in a fast-paced environment and interface effectively with visitors, and remaining calm and effective during high-traffic times
• Acts as a team player who works well with others, and shows courtesy and respect to colleagues
• Demonstrates a passion and appreciation for art and willingness to share it with the public
• Has commitment to providing excellent and impactful visitor experience
• General understanding of tourism in Berkshire County and surrounding areas
• Strong interpersonal skills including diplomacy and empathy
• Exceptional verbal and communication skills
• Ability to work alone and part of a team
• Ability to take direction from supervisors and managers
• Ability to make quick decisions and adapt to changing environments
• Responds quickly and calmly to emergency situations
• Punctual and reliable
• Proficient in Google Suite

Work Conditions:

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, weekends, holidays, events, festivals and other programs including those after museum hours
• Must be able to work in dimly lit areas, with strobing lights, or other photo sensitive situations
• While the majority of the work day may be spent indoors, occasional special events, exhibitions and festivals are scheduled for outside. Must be able to work in variety of weather conditions and inclement weather

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time, on and across various floor types
• Must be able to verbally communicate with visitors and colleagues in a professional manner
• Must be able to wear PPE when necessary

As defined by the National Labor Relations Act, this position is part of the bargaining unit for UAW Local 2110

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Non-exempt. Hourly rate $19.50
• This position does not offer relocation assistance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Roth 401(k) option
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Massachusetts Earned Sick Time 
• Emergency Assistance Fund (LemonAid)
• Retirement planning support
• Professional development reimbursement
• Educational leave
• Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Discounts at Gift Shop and R&D Store
• Staff appreciation social events year-round

Application Process: Interested candidates should apply online with a resume and cover letter. The application also includes a few brief questions to help us better understand your experience and interest in the role. Incomplete applications—including those missing the requested documents—may not be fully considered. 

About MASS MoCA:

MASS MoCA is a vibrant non-collecting art museum with approximately 300,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to visual art and projects by contemporary artists. Formerly a 19th century factory, these exhibition spaces are unconventional, vast, soaring galleries spanning multiple buildings. Half of that space is dedicated to rotating 10–16 month exhibitions of which we present 4 to 6 large-scale exhibitions per year, along with smaller projects and commissions. The additional space is dedicated to long-term exhibitions in conjunction with artists, estates, and collections that run from 10 months to 25 years. MASS MoCA frequently works directly with artists on the fabrication of new commissions and large-scale site-specific installations. 

MASS MoCA was founded in 1999, not only as a contemporary art museum and performing arts venue, but also as a creative campus with a regional, national and global impact. MASS MoCA is one of the world's liveliest centers for making and enjoying today's most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. From its beginnings as the major textile mill Arnold Print Works in the mid-19th century, to its days as the Sprague Electric Company in the mid-20th century, to its current iteration as a globally renowned contemporary art museum and fabrication center, the 24-acre MASS MoCA campus has a rich history of serving as the economic engine of the city of North Adams and the surrounding region.