Visitor Services Associate Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Reports to: Associate Director of Visitor Services

Department: Park Use & Stewardship

Status: Part-time/Non-exempt

Schedule

Must be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, including flexibility on weekends. Schedules and shift times are determined based on facility/programming needs and will change week to week. Regular weekend work and holiday work is required; Visitor Services Representatives report to the following locations throughout Central Park; Belvedere Castle, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, The Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop, and Columbus Circle Information Kiosk.

Note: This position is in-person (not a remote role).

Salary: $21/hour

About Central Park Conservancy

Central Park is one of the world's most famous and beloved public spaces. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, the 843-acre Park was the country's first purpose-built public park and is a National Historic Landmark and a New York Scenic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park, which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since then, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of over $2 billion in the restoration of the Park, which now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy is one of the largest and most successful public private partnerships in New York City and is considered a major civic institution given its impact on the health and vibrancy of both the Park and the City. The Conservancy's mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from urban life. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of its care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. The Conservancy employs roughly 400 people and has an annual operating budget of $120 million.

Key Responsibilities

Best-in-Class Customer Service:

• Proactively greet, assist, and engage Park visitors, in a professional and inviting manner
• Enhance every person's visit to Central Park by providing detailed and accurate information and directions, and by interpreting the Park's history, landscapes, design, features and programming
• Manage lines and crowds consistently with an emphasis on safety
• Respond to visitor inquiries via the phone, in person, and e-mail as needed
• Engage visitors in conversation about the Conservancy and our role in maintaining Central Park
• Promote Central Park Conservancy membership, tours, and various other ways people can support our mission
• Help to maintain a safe, clean and welcoming Center; includes properly securing the Center each evening, reporting all safety issues to the appropriate personnel, monitoring proper use of Center throughout your shift, and participating in regular light cleaning
• Facilitate individual and group orientation for visitor center related seasonal and non-seasonal programming (Fishing Program, Discovery Kits, Lawn Games, Board Game utilization, etc.)

Retail Sales:

• Collaborate with the Retail Services team in relation to Central Park Conservancy merchandise
• Sell Central Park Conservancy merchandise and support customers within the Park's relevant Visitor Centers
• Answer inquiries about merchandise, educate customers about products & influence purchasing decisions to help support Central Park
• Restock merchandise & help maintain inventory
• Operate registers, conduct monetary and credit card transactions, and generate sales reports as needed in alignment with the Central Park Conservancy's cash handling procedures.
• Assist in the processing, receiving and tagging of Central Park Conservancy merchandise as needed

Tours & Programs Support:

• Sell tour tickets and promote the official tours of Central Park
• Provide support to Park Patrons in need of assistance locating tour starting locations
• Assist tour check in and distribution of audio equipment, as needed; engage tour guests in visitor centers to encourage deeper engagement with the Conservancy and Central Park
• Help to facilitate a variety of programs in and around the Visitor Centers including set up, staffing, and guest check in as needed
• Actively engage with Visitor Center calendars and program schedules to assure readiness for events, programs and general visitation

Other Duties

• Participate in on-going professional development opportunities and trainings
• Perform general administration duties: answering phones, filing, statistics tracking, etc.
• Actively communicate with Park visitors, colleagues, volunteers, Operations staff and other Park personnel as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 1-2 year(s) experience in frontline customer service, retail required and/or relevant experience
• Interest in parks, landscape design, and /or tourism
• A strong desire and enthusiasm to work with the public
• A strong desire to learn about Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy
• Ability to work productively as part of a diverse team of staff and volunteers
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently
• Enthusiasm for working in different locations throughout the Park based on staffing/coverage needs of the department
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, POS systems, use of an e-mail system, etc.)
• Must be at least 18 years old; candidate should have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• Ability to speak additional languages a plus

Other Requirements

This position may occasionally require lifting moderately heavy items (up to 30 pounds), as well as extended periods of standing and walking between various locations throughout the Park, including visitor centers and operational areas. As this role is based within a park environment, employees should be prepared to navigate park pathways and travel between sites as needed.

The position also involves working outdoors and may include exposure to varying weather conditions such as rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Candidates should be comfortable working in a dynamic outdoor setting and should not expect typical indoor workplace conditions.

Must comply with the policies of the Conservancy, including wearing a Central Park Conservancy-branded uniform, which will be issued upon hire, in a presentable and professional fashion.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Central Park Conservancy's work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all.

Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park.

In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.

Safety Requirements

Establishment and maintenance of a safe work environment is the shared responsibility of this organization and employees at every level. The Conservancy will make every effort to assure a safe environment and be in compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Employees are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all their work activities. Accordingly, employees should be aware of any hazards, which could cause an injury or accident (e.g., spills, obstacles in walkways, etc.). If an employee discovers a potential dangerous condition, he/she should alert other employees and notify his/her supervisor immediately.