Visitor Services Associate

** Department
* * ISAC:
Visitor Services & Security
** About the Department
** The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John

D. Rockefeller Jr., and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s.

A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.
** Job Summary
** The Visitor Services Associate (ISAC) serves as a front-line ambassador for the Museum, creating a welcoming, safe, and engaging experience for all visitors. This role is primarily public-facing and guest-services focused, emphasizing visitor engagement, gallery presence, and daily visitor support. The Visitor Services Associate role has responsibilities related to access awareness, safety monitoring, and emergency response, supporting daily museum operations, assisting with opening and closing procedures, and works collaboratively with museum colleagues to ensure an excellent visitor experience and the protection of museum spaces and collections.
** Responsibilities
* ** Assists with fire alarm drills or dissemination of information regarding fire alarms.
* Assist with event set ups and breakdowns.
* Greet and register museum visitors while providing program information and support throughout galleries and public areas.
* Ensures compliance with museum guidelines, safeguards exhibitions and collections, and responds to visitor inquiries or concerns.
* Assist with opening and closing procedures, monitor public spaces for safety, and support setup and breakdown for tours, programs, and special events.
* Work cooperatively with colleagues across museum departments, participate in meetings and trainings, and complete assigned tasks to support overall museum operations.
* Performs other related work as needed.
** Minimum Qualifications
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* Education:

** Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
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* Work Experience:

** Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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* Certifications:

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- **** Preferred Qualifications
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* Experience:

*** Experience in guest services, customer service, hospitality, or other public-facing roles, preferably in museums, or higher education institutions.
* Exposure to safety awareness, facilities support, or access monitoring in a public setting is a plus.
** Technical Skills or Knowledge:
*** Comfort using computers in a Windows-based environment and standard office software such as Microsoft Office.
* Ability and willingness to learn visitor management tools, access systems, and basic safety or monitoring technologies.
** Preferred Competencies
*** Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with a wide range of visitors.
* Demonstrated commitment to delivering excellent customer service in a public-facing environment.
* Ability to remain calm, observant, and responsive in busy or dynamic situations.
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