Visitor Service Representative

To apply: Email your resume and cover letter to emily@sbhistorical.org
About the Position: At the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Visitor Services Representatives serve as a central point of connection between the public and the Museum, supporting visitor experience, gallery stewardship, communication, retail, membership, events, hospitality, venue rentals, and daily Museum operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of the Museum’s galleries and guests, while creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging experience that connects visitors with the history, people, and stories of Santa Barbara. This position is designed to provide a strong foundation for a career in museum work, with opportunities to develop skills and experience across departments. As Visitor Services Representatives develop their knowledge, skills, and experience, they may take on additional responsibilities and special projects with the potential to grow into other roles within the Museum.
The ideal candidate: Is highly personable and genuinely enjoys helping others succeed. Demonstrates trustworthiness, responsibility, and professionalism. Communicates with warmth, confidence, and clarity. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to prioritize tasks amid frequent interruptions and changing needs from visitors and staff. Demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness; takes ownership of responsibilities; follows through; and actively seeks opportunities to learn new skills and contribute beyond routine duties. Demonstrates curiosity about the Museum, a willingness to learn about its mission, history, collections, exhibitions, programs, and operations, and understanding of how different Museum functions contribute to the visitor experience and the Museum’s overall mission.
Starting Pay: $20 per hour, with opportunities for advancement. Reports to: Director of Education. Schedule & Availability: Regular scheduling is based on Museum operating hours. Available shifts are Wednesday–Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m., with an extended Thursday shift from 11:30 a.m.–7:15 p.m. Additional and extended shifts during scheduled evening and weekend programs, events, and private rentals is required. Position Duties & Responsibilities: At the Museum Front Desk Gallery Safety Assist with opening and closing procedures and daily Museum operations. Follow established safety training/protocols and support their implementation to consistently maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors. Maintain accurate visitor attendance and other operational records using Museum systems. Perform daily walk-throughs of galleries and public spaces to identify safety, security, accessibility, and maintenance concerns. Record or report Museum temperature and humidity readings and other gallery conditions as directed to help protect collections, technology, and facilities. Monitor security camera feeds covering Museum galleries, entrances, Museum grounds, remaining alert to unusual, suspicious, or potentially unsafe activity and promptly communicating concerns to the appropriate Museum staff member. Monitor visitor activity and enforce established Museum policies regarding food and beverages, photography, bags and personal belongings, animals, children, and appropriate behavior in galleries. Politely and professionally remind visitors of Museum guidelines when necessary. Respond appropriately to accidents, injuries, or other safety concerns, following Museum emergency procedures and notifying the appropriate staff member and emergency personnel when necessary. Document and communicate safety incidents, accidents, damage, maintenance concerns, and other significant issues. Assist with maintaining appropriate lighting, signage, barriers, and other visitor-facing elements in galleries and public spaces. Maintain a clean, organized, and accessible environment in all exhibits, facilities, and at the Front Desk, ensuring that all public spaces are prepared to meet the needs of visitors. Visitor Experience: Serve as a knowledgeable first point of contact for visitors, members, school groups, event guests, and vendors. Develop a strong working knowledge of the Museum's mission, history, exhibitions, collections, programs, facilities, policies, and visitor resources in order to answer questions about Museum hours, wayfinding, exhibitions, programs, membership, events, merchandise, facilities, accessibility, policies, local attractions, and basic Santa Barbara history. Assist visitors in navigating the Museum and its resources, including exhibitions, public programs, the Museum Store, Gledhill Library, and website. Encourage visitors to participate in Museum programs, become members, shop at the Museum Store, and return for future visits. Anticipate visitor needs rather than simply responding to requests, providing thoughtful assistance and helping visitors navigate the Museum with confidence. Document visitor feedback, questions, suggestions, and concerns to help the Museum continually improve the visitor experience.