Museum Associate

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is seeking a Museum Associate to assist with the day-to-day operations of the museum and retail space.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is a National Monument to Innovation® that includes unique exhibits and inspirational stories of America’s greatest innovators. Located at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA, the museum space enables visitors to explore Inductee stories and their technological achievements through interactive kiosks and exhibits. The museum also includes a storefront of unique gift shop items available for purchase, as well as select event and tour opportunities.

This is a part-time position offering up to 30 hours per week.

• Demonstrate superior guest services to ensure a positive experience at the museum and store, with the ability to address issues and solve problems in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate a high level of professional courtesy and acumen in all interactions with visitors, liaisons, special guests, administration, and colleagues.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the museum and store procedures.
• Maintain the upkeep, organization, and cleanliness of the museum and store.
• Ensure exhibits and other systems (e.g. POS) are in good working order.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of exhibits to lead effective and engaging tours.
• Learn and operate A/V equipment for museum exhibits and events as needed.
• Maintain appropriate visual merchandising standards, inclusive of receipt and display of new merchandise.
• Facilitate and promote museum store sales.
• Assist in the management and daily maintenance of store inventory.
• Handle customer transactions (cash and credit card accountability)
• Assist with special projects based on evolving business needs.
• Provide occasional coverage for events, both during and outside of regular business hours.

• Must be able to perform physical duties such as climbing ladders and lifting up to 50 lbs. The associate will assist with the standard logistics and maintenance of the museum, including daily upkeep, exhibit maintenance, and technical troubleshooting under direction.
• Contribute to organizational metrics and culture through strong emotional intelligence, competency, and aptitude.
• Must have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with intuitive business acumen and positive communication skills.
• Must have the ability to thrive in a fluctuating environment and remain productive in both fast-paced and slower periods of downtime.
• Must have the ability to work under pressure, handling challenges both professionally and efficiently.
• Must have the ability to speak in front of groups of visitors while using a microphone.
• Must be open-minded and flexible with change, including the ability to grow in core competencies and be coachable.
• Must have the ability to work in Office 365, especially Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and Excel.
• Participate, as needed, in installation and tear-down of museum exhibits and interactive structures, floorplan and display updates, event preparation, oversight and strike, and any other museum-related duties, including occasional off-site tasks.
• Retail, customer service, or related work experience preferred.
• Experience preferred in implementing short-term fixes, such as something that can be fixed with power cycling or changing a fuse, as well as medium-term fixes like replacing new parts, painting, refinishing exhibit surfaces, or changing variables in a software program to affect its play.
• Experience working with children is preferred.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage:
  Enjoy top-tier medical, dental, vision, and insurance plans, along with flexible spending accounts to help pay for any out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• Secure Your Future:
  Benefit from our 401(k) plan with up to a 4% employer match and 100% vesting upon initial contribution, ensuring your financial stability and growth.
• Pet-Friendly Perks:
  Protect your furry friends with our pet insurance plans.
• Thriving Work Environment:
  Be part of a great team environment with ample opportunities for growth and a culture that prioritizes professional development.