Visitor Services Desk Attendant (Part-Time)

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Visitor Services Desk Attendant (Part-Time) to join the RISD Museum. Established in 1877 as part of a vibrant creative community, the RISD Museum stewards works of art representing diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. We interpret our collection with the focus on the maker and we deeply engage with art and artists, presenting ideas and perspectives that can be inspiring and complex. We aspire to create an accessible and inclusive environment that fosters meaningful relationships across all communities.

The Visitor Services Desk Attendant ensures and promotes a positive visitor experience by welcoming and greeting a wide variety of clientele, including but not limited to students, general visitors, tour groups, parents, and/or alumni. The incumbent will process transactions such as issuing memberships, admissions tickets, event registrations and group sales; collect payments and distribute the appropriate change, information, and collateral material. The Visitor Services Desk Attendant responds to routine questions about the Museum, the RISD community and greater Providence, promotes Museum programs, classes and events, and actively solicits museum membership sales. Other administrative tasks include supporting the External Affairs team with marketing, development, or membership projects and initiatives.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Receives and greets incoming guests, visitors, tour groups, parents, alumni, and corporate members. 

• Processes financial transactions for visitors including but not limited to admissions, membership sales, special events and Museum courses.

• Accepts payments via cash, check or credit card using Altru POS system and issues appropriate receipts and/or change.

• Checks in groups for guided and self-guided visits.

• Uses Altru POS system to complete the group check-in and payment process.

• Complete opening and closing cash drawer procedures including counting and balancing drawer daily.

• Utilizes knowledge of RISD Museum, RISD community and Providence area to help answer routine customer service questions and visitor inquires regarding Museum events, exhibition and gallery locations, RISD campus events and local attractions. 

• Actively promotes Museum programs, classes and events.

• Actively solicits museum membership sales by explaining benefits, program details, additional opportunities, discounts and incentive options and overall structure.

• Maintain brochure racks, ensure brochure information is available, current and in stock. 

• Answer general Museum and RISD campus inquiries via the front desk telephone and respond accordingly.

• Maintain guest book

• Ensure the safety and cleanliness of front desk area and report any issues to supervisor, Facilities or Public Safety as appropriate.

Additional Functions:

• Assist with or participate in other related activities as requested.

• May assist manager in preparing routine reports on visitorship. Receives feedback about the visitor experience and escalates as appropriate. 

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities. 

• One to three years of progressively responsible customer service experience in a retail or service oriented environment.

• Understanding and experience working in academic settings preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to help meet sales goals and targets. 

• Understanding of RISD and Providence community preferred.

• Ability to build relationships and rapports.

• Must be able to resolve visitor issues, complaints and problems.

• Ability to work with numbers. 

• Ability to work within a team to accomplish program goals. 

• Ability to communicate relevant information about current and future Museum programming to visitors. 

• Demonstrated excellence i