Museum Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The New Children’s Museum’s mission is to spark creativity, exploration, and a sense of belonging through interactive art experiences. Located in downtown San Diego, the New Children’s Museum collaborates with contemporary artists to design and create art installations and educational programs for children. The Museum brings families together in a rich educational environment that fosters creativity and expression. 2.4 million guests have visited the downtown location since doors opened in 2008, including 232,386 visitors in 2022.

Our vision is to be the most innovative, most loved, most inspiring, and most sustainable children’s museum in the world. Our interactive art installations and hands-on art programming provide creative and educational experiences for children and families. We work with artists to reimagine our spaces so that there is always something “new” to discover when you visit. As a nonprofit institution, we rely on daily admissions, memberships, and community support to fund our daily operations. 

Our commitment is to provide a welcoming space for all families. We believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are integral to fulfilling our mission and empowering children’s innate creativity through hands-on exposure to art and the creative process. Last year, 69,455 visitors attended the Museum through access programs. Please visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/ to learn more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The on-call Event Support Staff at The New Children’s Museum (“NCM”) assists in the preparation, set up and execution of birthday parties, internal events and external events at NCM.  They work to ensure that our clients have a positive and fun experience. Event Support Staff are part of the Events team, reporting to the birthday party coordinator and event lead. 

Successful Event Support Staff candidates are those who enjoy working in a high energy environment, are calm under pressure, can think critically and who thrive in a team setting.  An interest and enthusiasm for the events industry is a plus.  This position requires weekend availability and a flexible, inconsistent schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Birthday Parties (During Museum Open Hours, 4-8 hour shifts, primarily weekends)

• Set up and clean up party room and party supply spaces 
• Meet and greet party host family as well as their guests 
• Assist party family with decorations and party schedule
• Maintain a neat, professional appearance, following Museum uniform and grooming policy
• Lead the Dance Party activity (Freeze Dance/Floor Lava)
• Provide consistent, positive, and excellent customer service to guests and Museum Staff
• Work cooperatively with multiple departments including Operations, Visitor Engagement, Education and Exhibitions
• Ensure the safety, orientation and comfort of guests during the party
• Communicate with the security and janitorial team to identify safety issues and/or cleanup 
• Report supply needs and provide post-event feedback to the Birthday Coordinator to ensure accurate follow-up with client
• Assist Birthday Party Coordinator with inquiries and client communication
• Attend Employee Training Programs as required
• Additional duties as assigned

Internal and External Events: (After Hour Events)

• Work with Events Team (Event Lead) as instructed for setting up event area;
• Assist with client and vendor load in/out, including but not limited to moving Museum artwork/programming, tables, chairs, stanchions, signage and sound equipment;
• Assist Event Lead to ensure the needs and requests of clients are met throughout the event;
• Maintain knowledge of current installations and artwork in order to help guests engage during events; 
• Provide consistent, positive and excellent customer service to vendors, clients, guests and Museum Staff; 
• Maintain a neat, professional appearance, following Museum uniform and grooming policy;
• Ensure the safety, orientation and comfort of guests and troubleshoot issues as they arise
• Ensure the safety and cleanliness of all public areas/galleries and communicate with security and janitorial team as needed
• Provide post event feedback to Event Services Lead and/or event team leadership to ensure accurate follow up with client;
• Attend Employee Training Programs as required;

Additional duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Available to commit to an inconsistent on-call schedule; must be available for 2 shifts per month* 
• Minimum two years of related customer service work experience; 
• Positive attitude and team player; 
• Outgoing, friendly manner and solid communicator. 
• Fluency in English is required. Bilingual skills a plus
• Must be willing to undergo a Federal Background Livescan

*The New Children’s Museum understands this is a flexible position, where the employee drives the schedule. NCM kindly asks the employee to maintain an active 2 shifts per month, with a 2 month grace period to continue active employment. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires standing, walking, and moving throughout the museum gallery, event, and outdoor spaces for extended periods during event setup, execution, and breakdown. The role involves frequent interaction with clients, vendors, and guests in active and dynamic settings. Employees in this position may be required to lift, carry, push, or pull objects such as tables, chairs, stanchions, signage, sound equipment, and event supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. The role may also require bending, reaching, kneeling, and other physical movement associated with event load-in and load-out. Work is performed in a museum environment with moderate to high noise levels. Weekend and occasional evening availability is required. The employee must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

BENEFITS

• 40 hours sick time
• Ability to accrue Personal Days - After 24 hours worked, 8 hours awarded up to 16 hours in a single calendar year. 

The New Children's Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities and families we serve. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.