Part-Time Visitor Services Associate

Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford is seeking part-time (8 or 16 hours per week) and half-time (24 hours per week) Visitor Services Associates (VSA). This is a unique opportunity for someone who appreciates history and the outdoors to be part of our team. This position will be part of a small and mighty team. We're hiring to fill several AM & PM 8-hour shifts – perfect for college students, retirees with an interest in working at a National Historic Landmark, or those looking to earn some extra income. All visitor services staff will be cross-trained in safety and security, visitor policy, basic grounds and gardens information, and Fair Lane history.

Each Visitor Services Associate (VSA) can be scheduled to work up to 24 hours per week, or up to three 8-hour shifts, with opportunities to cover shifts and events as needed by the Estate.

SHIFTS

6:30 AM - 2:30 PM (7 days a week, referred to as the AM shift)

2:30 PM - 10:30 PM (7 days a week, referred to as the PM shift)

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Saturdays & Sundays, referred to as the mid-day shift)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Visitor Service Functions:

• Greet and welcome visitors
• Become an expert in Fair Lane History and understand grounds and gardens
• Facilitate the check-in process for all photography groups, and make them aware of the photography rules and policies
• Complete all required ongoing training, including but not limited to security training, customer service training, audience engagement, and Fair Lane orientation
• Be available to answer questions throughout the estate and enforce rules of conduct when needed
• Helps keep an eye on the historic buildings during weather events
• Perform other duties as assigned during events

Security Functions:

• Enforce security and safety procedures and protocols
• Inform visitors of rules, regulations, and proper conduct
• Report emergencies as well as administer first aid and respond to calls for emergency assistance
• Investigate situations and write reports detailing incidents
• Opens and closes the upper and lower gates
• Participate in training programs for emergency situations, including fire, theft, and vandalism
• Reviews and is familiar with the fire safety and severe weather policies

COMPENSATION

This is an hourly, non-exempt, year-round entry-level position with benefits dependent on scheduled hours. The base hourly rate for all Visitor Services Associates is $17.50 per hour; this position is eligible for overtime pay calculated at 1.5x the role's normal hourly rate, but overtime opportunities are limited and must be pre-approved.

BENEFITS

Part-time and half-time team members are not eligible for insurance benefits. However, they are eligible to receive paid time off (PTO), volunteer time off (VTO), paid bereavement leave, and other in-house perks, including a free photo permit, Tribute Garden discounts, and a Patron Level Membership to Fair Lane.

Part-time PTO - 5 days (40 hours) of Paid Time Off (PTO) earned annually; PTO is accrued biweekly at a rate of 1.54 hours, which turns into a lump sum PTO policy upon reaching 1 year of service.

Half-time PTO - 7 days (56 hours) of Paid Time Off (PTO) earned annually; PTO is accrued biweekly at a rate of 2.15 hours, which turns into a lump sum PTO policy upon reaching 1 year of service.

Employer-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan when scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week that includes an automatic 3% contribution to an employee's retirement account.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Henry Ford Estate is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

• Must be comfortable working outside for most of the schedule shift, regardless of weather (rain, snow, heat, etc.)
• A passion for people, gardens, and history
• Minimum 1 year experience in a visitor-facing role
• Must be comfortable with wildlife (e.g. deer and rodents around the grounds)
• Must be comfortable being in dark spaces (e.g. the Main House) alone while doing Security rounds
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Relevant coursework from an accredited college or university strongly preferred
• Ability to work with individuals from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds
• Good written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information
• Ability to identify and positively resolve visitor issues in the moment; strong decision-making skills necessary
• Good attendance and reliability
• Flexibility to work some weekends, holidays, and special events as necessary

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to stand and move around public areas of the Estate for extended periods of time

BACKGROUND & REFERENCE CHECKS

• All offers of employment at Henry Ford Estate are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. Background checks include Prior Employment Verification, Personal and Professional Reference Checks, Educational Verifications, and Criminal Conviction Reviews.
• A criminal conviction will not result in an instant withdrawal of an employment offer. Henry Ford Estate considers the nature of crimes and their relationship to positions, the time since conviction, and the number of convictions when deciding if a candidate has clear results.