Visit Experience Associate - Temporary at Buffalo AKG Art Museum

Position summary 

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

As the face of the museum, the Visitor Experience (VEX) team facilitates a meaningful, positive relationship among art, ideas, and people with the goal of exceeding visitor expectations. This happens in key touchpoints throughout the campus: as Ticketing Specialists at front desks; as associates in retail operations; as Gallery Specialists engaging in dialogue with visitors in the galleries and Creative Commons. Each VEA will receive thorough training and have opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience working in a dynamic setting while contributing individual strengths to advance the museum’s mission. Visitor Experiences Associates report to the Head of Visitor Experience and are routinely under the supervision of the Visitor Experience Manager on duty.  

Core responsibilities

All Visitor Experience Team Members: 

•    Warmly welcome everyone to the museum to encourage a sense of belonging. They interact attentively, professionally,      and patiently with fellow staff and visitors, responding to their needs, questions, and expectations 

•    Show a high degree of responsibility, punctuality, and accountability 

•    Are knowledgeable about the unique exhibitions, collection, educational experiences, and public programs at the               Buffalo AKG Art Museum, and eager to match visitors’ interests to appropriate programming 

•    Are fluent in the benefits of the AKG membership program and actively sell memberships at all levels 

•    Assist during special events in various capacities such as registration, check-in, and coat check 

•    Collect feedback in various forms, such as verbal, written, and intercept surveys

•    Ensure that appropriate actions are taken to resolve visitor concerns and questions expediently 

•    Prevent loss and damage by cordially and respectfully enforcing all museum policies and upholding visitor code of            conduct

•    Maintain a neat, professional appearance, in dress and in manner

•    Take responsibility for workspaces and visitor areas, ensuring that all aspects are in good order and clean

•    Attend Visitor Experience team briefings at the beginning of each shift

•    Perform other duties as assigned

Ticketing Specialists:

•    Performs duties as listed above under “All Visitor Experience Team Members”

•    Welcome and acclimate visitors to the museum according to their needs, providing an orientation to the campus and            uncovering information to identify how to make their visit most fulfilling

•    Adhere to streamlined processes of ticketing, registration, cash handling, and accounting procedures

•    Operate software in Mac iOS and Windows including but not limited to Blackbaud Altru and Microsoft Office Suite;          hardware such as BOCA ticketing systems, ticket scanners, tablets, laptops, printers, Wi-Fi hot spots, and more

•    Assume responsibility for transactions during shift, from opening initial cash drawer to closing deposit preparation

•    Respond to phone and email inquiries, forwarding to other departments as necessary

Gallery Specialists:

•    Performs duties as listed above under “All Visitor Experience Team Members”

•    Actively listen and communicate dialogically in conversations about art, museum events, and museum programs

•    Approach learning enthusiastically and with openness to rethinking the museum experience

•    Are attentive to both art and people, supporting the Preservation & Safety team with incident reporting when needed

Knowledge, skills, & abilities

Education and Experience

•    Experience in a public-facing role and familiarity with functioning in a team environment

•    Familiarity with use of software and/or hardware related to this position

•    Knowledge and application of best practices in IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility)

Skills/Abilities/Competencies 

Minimum requirements 

•    Team player with exceptional service and interpersonal skills; a desire to exceed visitor expectations

•    Capable of working in a fast-paced environment with distractions 

•    Skilled at quickly solving problems; able to utilize sound judgment and diplomacy under pressure 

•    Interest in museums, modern and contemporary art

•    Friendly, warm, and welcoming: approaches interpersonal relations with curiosity, openness, and cultural sensitivity

•    Able to communicate the institution’s history and activities, effectively delivering information about the museum                mission, values, collection, campus, and programs  

•    Able to accurately complete transactions and balance a cash drawer

•    Motivated, reliable, responsible, and professional  

•    Adaptable and quick learner: able to learn new content, processes, and technology including various software and               hardware (troubleshooting when necessary) 

•    Keen attention to detail  

Additional requirements 

•    Able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as scheduled in advance during hours of operation (10 am – 5 pm              Sunday, Monday, Thursday; 10 am – 8 pm Friday; 10 am – 6 pm Saturday)

•    Able to stand or walk for long periods of time with or without reasonable accommodations 

•    Communication skills in a language in addition to English a plus

Salary

$19.31 per hour plus membership sales commissions

This position is for temporary employment from late September 2025 through early July 2026.