Museum Ambassador Level 1

Job Title: Museum Ambassador Level 1

Position Type: Part-time, non-exempt, union position

Reports To: Director of Learning & Workforce Development

Starting Wage:$22.63/hr

About NPHM

The National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) is the first cultural institution in the United States dedicated to interpreting the American experience in public housing and the right to all people to a place they can call home. It is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals with lived experience of public housing to give tours and welcome visitors from all backgrounds with radical hospitality and generosity. The Museum’s mission is to preserve, promote, and propel public housing as a human right and all of our partnerships and programs are committed to amplifying the voices, experiences, and stories of public housing residents.

Position Description

Our Museum Ambassadors are welcoming hosts and inclusive conversationalists who are flexible, creative and embrace working with diverse groups with varying perspectives, including children, teens, and lifelong learners.

Museum Ambassadors greet and welcome visitors, provide information, directions, assistance and access to the museum. They handle museum admissions, tour tickets, event attendance, sell memberships and merchandise, and contribute to the ongoing operations of the Museum.

Museum Ambassadors give tours of historical exhibitions and art installations to museum visitors, and support museum education programs like storytelling circles, civic love events, oral history programs, and help to staff public events.

Museum Ambassadors are responsible for representing the museum’s values of radical hospitality and generosity by helping to create a welcoming community and environment for visitors to experience exhibits, tours, events, and other experiences that share the history of public housing and advocate for the right of all people to have a place to call home.

This position is also trained to support a wide variety of learning programs within the museum setting, serving broad audiences. The position reports to the Director of Learning & Workforce Development and is part of a cultural workforce training program.

Spanish speakers and people with ASL knowledge are encouraged to apply, as NPHM embraces its commitment to becoming a bilingual institution and a commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

 

Essential Duties

Welcome and Greet Visitors:

• Provide a warm and friendly greeting to all visitors.

• Offer detailed information about exhibits, programs, and events.

• Assist visitors with directions and provide maps of the museum.

• Handle Admissions: Manage ticket sales, both in-person and online. Process payments accurately and provide receipts.

Engage and Educate:

• Use strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively lead exciting tours, sharing interesting stories and insights about the exhibits to captivate and educate visitors of different age groups and interests.

• Use storytelling, interactive activities, and hands-on learning to make complicated topics easy to understand and fun.

• Support the opening and closing procedures of exhibit spaces at the museum

• Maintain Knowledge of Museum Content:

• Stay updated on current and upcoming exhibits, programs, and events.

• Continuously learn about the history and mission of the museum to provide accurate information.

Promote Membership and Donations:

• Inform visitors about membership opportunities and benefits. Encourage donations and provide information on how to contribute.

Ensure Safety and Security:

• Monitor visitor activity to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and exhibits.

Administrative Support:

• Assist with administrative tasks such as data entry, phone calls, and responding to emails.

• Help maintain visitor records and feedback.

• Support Special Events: Assist with the setup, execution, and breakdown of special events and programs when needed

Qualification Requirements

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to engage effectively with diverse groups of people.

• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent visitor service.

• Ability to handle visitor inquiries, feedback, and concerns with patience and courtesy.

• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other museum staff and volunteers.

• Familiarity with computers and basic office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, email).

• Ability to learn and use ticketing and admission systems.

• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to routinely lift up to 20 lbs. and climb stairs.

Preferred

• Lived experience of public housing

• Prior experience in a customer service role, preferably in a museum or similar setting.

• Professional working proficiency in Spanish speakers and/or ASL

 

Working Conditions

This is a part-time, non-exempt, union position in Chicago, IL less than thirty (30) hour work week, and includes evenings and weekends as required to fulfill responsibilities and for related museum activities. Candidates must be available to work shifts during some holiday hours throughout the year.

Compensation and Benefits: All candidates participate in a paid training program designed to provide equitable access to the tools, knowledge, and support needed for success in this role.

The National Public Housing Museum encourages people with lived experience of public housing or a meaningful connection to public housing to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.