CMNH Gallery Associate

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.

This Part-Time position is eligible for many of the Carnegie Museums' Benefits.

This is a union position. 

The CMNH Gallery Associate is responsible for welcoming individuals and groups at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and serving as an approachable and enthusiastic presence throughout the museum during operational and open hours as well as special events, while protecting the collection and helping to keep the collection safe from damage. Familiarity with all the areas of the Visitor & Museum Services Department to ensure smooth daily operation and a positive visitor experience. Demonstrate the highest level of customer service; protect the scientific collection; observe visitor behavior while circulating in specific areas or galleries; monitor for restricted items and touching of collection; provide visitors with information regarding current exhibitions and upcoming programs; ensure visitors follow museum policies; perform admission transactions using a computerized ticketing system for upcharge exhibits and events; sell memberships; provide information concerning the facility, collection and exhibitions; ; oversee coat check; monitor lunchroom for school groups; take responsibility for each visitor’s experience by meeting and, where possible, exceeding visitor expectations. . Fulfill visitor accommodation requests, including sighted guide, limited ASL assistance, and providing wheelchairs.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent customer service and communication skills. 
• Must have basic computer skills and ability to be trained on Siriusware ticketing system.
• Must be able to handle cash and credit card transactions and balance cash drawer. 
• Weekend and evening hours required.
• A love of museums and an interest in natural history is required.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 
• Previous experience, minimum of one year, in retail or other public contact employment; cash handling experience preferred.
• Experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS       

• Job requires considerable walking and standing for long periods of time. movement throughout the Museum. 
• Must have manual dexterity to operate computer and to manually fill out forms.

Principal Accountabilities

• Takes responsibility for acquiring, through meetings, on-going training, and individual initiative, all information, product knowledge and interpersonal and communication skill development necessary for successful performance in a front-line staff position and as a monitor and steward of the museums on view collection and exhibitions.

• Actively participates in regular trainings with Conservation and Exhibitions department staff and demonstrates and improves knowledge of best practices for protecting and monitoring the CMNH collection and exhibitions on view at the museum.

• Learns how to keep collection safe from damage and how to investigate, observe, and report unusual conditions, including tampering or damage to scientific collection and displays.

• Actively participates in regular trainings with Conservation and Exhibition staff and demonstrates general knowledge of the content of current and upcoming exhibitions and permanent collection installations, as well as upcoming talks and programs.

• Attends training and demonstrates competency in accessibility-related visitor service, including sighted guide, best practices for transactions, and limited, useful ASL communication.

• Attends emergency preparedness training and demonstrates understanding of Oakland emergency procedures. Responds to emergency situations (such as accidents, illness, fire, building evacuation, and disorderly patrons) in accordance with prescribed Security Department policies.
• Communicates with the public in a courteous and sensitive manner, projecting a positive and professional image of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

• Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the museum.

• Explains museum’s visitor policies regarding food or drink in the galleries and current CMP guidelines, including those regarding COVID-19.

• Patrols and monitors assigned areas to assure safety and security of the collection, the public and the building.

• Follows security routines in opening and closing galleries daily including turning lights on and off, exhibition set-up as necessary.

• Cooperates as a front-line team with all staff to provide seamless visitor service across the museum.  Demonstrates respect and dignity to co-workers and visitors.

• Acts in a proactive manner to maintain a safe environment and notifies all appropriate
  personnel regarding safety hazards and concerns.

• Explains admission policies and operates the Ticketing and Reservation System to receive group and individual admissions.  Is responsible for the accuracy of the admissions monies.  Counts and signs for correct amounts of money needed for cash operating funds. Conducts a double count of cash operating funds with appointed Visitor & Museum Services supervisor at the end of the day and balances the daily batch.

• Assists in wayfinding; provides directions and suggested routes of travel throughout the museum.

• Acts as greeter to proactively welcome visitors to the museum and galleries.   Answers questions; provides assistance; and offers suggestions to enhance the visitor experience. Provides all requested information and assistance to visitors and acts to resolve their special requests, problems or concerns to achieve mutual satisfaction.

• Completes transactions as needed. Provides onsite support for members with concerns or requests.

• Greets school groups and assists in the delivery of coats and lunches to the coatroom. Monitors Lunchroom to keep groups on schedule.

• Keeps in-gallery exhibition materials stocked and orderly. Keeps admission desk in a clean and orderly manner. Performs operator-level maintenance on TRS, including changing printer tapes.  Keeps necessary forms and materials stocked

•  Performs other duties as assigned.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job  with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional  guidance on essential functions  follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function  is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.