Employment

Visitor Experience Specialist

 
Work Conditions:

Office environment in a combination of areas: historic buildings, general grounds area, museum, education center, and visitor center. Moderate lifting and cleaning. Requires some evening and/or weekend work. Telework not authorized.

Reports to: Gift Shop Manager and Director of Operations

Responsibilities:

The Visitor Experience Specialist (VES) is responsible for ensuring each visitor receives outstanding customer service by providing a friendly environment which includes greeting and acknowledging every visitor, answering questions, maintaining outstanding professional standards, and possessing thorough knowledge of Red Hill, Patrick Henry, Quarter Place, and exhibits in the museum and historic buildings. The position requires an understanding of interpretive standards and how they are applied in a public history venue.

  • Welcome and orient visitors by offering assistance in a warm and friendly manner, ensuring all programs, exhibitions, and services are properly communicated to visitors.
  • Respond to inquiries in person, by telephone, and email.
  • Represent as needed during special events and in welcoming tour groups.
  • Be knowledgeable about the history of Patrick Henry’s Red Hill.
  • Provide information about programs and special events. Coordinate with a small staff to ensure a high level of visitor experience is achieved and programming is successful.
  • Open and close the Visitor Center and historic buildings.
  • Maintain proper appearance of the front desk area including visitor orientation, and inventory of brochures and gift shop items.
  • Troubleshoot visitor problems.
  • Ensure public spaces are set-up and tidy for general operations and all types of programming.
  • Support program and event execution, including special visits, educational programming, and outreach programs.
  • Track attendance, receive visitor feedback, and collect visitor contact and other information.
  • Perform routine tasks as assigned and anticipate daily needs of ongoing activities.
  • Work on special projects as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
  • Minimum of two (2) years of visitor or customer service experience preferably in a museum or attraction setting.
  • At least 18 years of age.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Proficiency with Square and Point of Sale are preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with fluent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, as a team member, recognize needs, and take initiative.
  • Possess a polished and professional demeanor.
  • Ability to work in various environments: office, historic structures, and collections storage areas.
  • Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor locations in all seasons (including sunny and inclement weather) during the course of a work day.
Salary:

Hourly – $12.50/hour

Closes:

Open until filled. Contact Hope Marstin, CEO, at om@redhill.org

Internships

Spring 2024 Collections Management Intern

 

Position Summary:

Patrick Henry’s Red Hill seeks one (1) Collections Intern to work with the Director of Collections to assist with collections storage inventory, research, and processing; artifact handling for internal use; regular maintenance of artifacts on display in the museum and historic buildings; and assisting in artifact-specific tours for schoolchildren. This opportunity will allow the intern to gain practical, hands-on experience working directly with museum artifacts and to learn proper handling and storage methods of two- and three-dimensional artifacts. The Collections Intern will work with the Director of Collections on special projects related to collections care, and will work directly with operations, education, and other museum staff while learning about the day-to-day operations of managing a small museum.

Current or recently graduated undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of history, museum studies, public history, art history, historic preservation, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Expectations:
  • The intern will assist the Director of Collections with the inventory backlog of objects in storage, object research, as well as cleaning and rehousing artifacts. The intern will also assist with imputing data into the museum’s collection management system, PastPerfect, and photographing works in the collection for internal use.
  • The intern can expect to gain a practical working knowledge in collections management. The intern will gain valuable collections management experience by helping inventory the collection, learning to work with collections management database systems, and gaining object handling experience.
  • The intern will assist in duties related to acquisitions backlog, research requests, artifact donations, and relocating artifacts within storage. The intern will also help with preparing objects for photography and/or exhibition as needed.
  • The intern will assist in the writing and design of artifact descriptions and historical contexts of objects on Red Hill’s website.
  • The intern will be given opportunities to attend organizational events, such as staff meetings, to gain a broader understanding of the workplace and its initiatives. Other activities will be assigned that will further the intern’s learning, knowledge, and experience.
Requirements of Applicant:
  • 3.0 or above cumulative GPA
  • Currently enrolled or recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program in history, museum studies, public history, art history, or related disciplines.
  • Ability to commit 30 hours a week minimum.
  • Basic knowledge of current practices in museum collections management.
  • Computer proficiency, preferably with experience in collections management databases.
  • Dedicated team player with strong leadership skills and independent, creative attitude.
Duration:
  • The internship will run the duration of the semester (10-16 weeks).
  • In order to fulfill collegiate requirements, Red Hill does partner with students to complete internships as part of course credit, as long as the student lets the staff know in advance what paperwork will be required to complete.
  • Some project types can be completed remotely as long as the student logs their hours and sends a report on their progress.
  • It is expected that applicants are available to work on-site at Red Hill for at least 30 hours a week.
Lodging/Stipend:
  • Depending on the duration of the internship, the use of free, on-site accommodations may be available. Applicants will be required to sign an agreement about the use and maintenance of the facility in advance.
  • This internship has a $1,500 stipend for full-time, on-site interns.
How to Apply:
  • Applicants must send a resume outlining their education, professional, and volunteer experiences and a cover letter to Cody Youngblood, Director of Collections, at cody@redhill.org.
  • Applicants may choose to send references, CV (if available), a lesson plan or curriculum sample, or other relevant documentation as well.
  • Red Hill will reach out to the applicant to set up a phone/Zoom or in-person interview.
  • If accepted, the applicant will be asked to visit Red Hill prior to the first day of their internship to meet the staff.
Deadline for Applying:
  • Spring 2024 Internships: December 8 at 11:59pm.