The Visitor Support Assistant works to ensure a welcoming and safe museum visit. Visitor Support staff move throughout campus to assist with wayfinding, security, and any health or safety issues that may occur on campus. Visitor Support Assistants routinely interact with visitors and museum members and help create a positive environment. Visitor Support Assistants conduct regular rounds of select exhibits and/or museum campus and serve as initial security and safety responder in case of injury or emergency. Visitor Support Assistants work on museum trails and at the boathouse and provide safety and paddling/rowing instruction while maintaining safe use of trails and boats. Visitor Support staff also perform light cleaning duties, exhibit security, end of day security sweep, and assist with related operations tasks as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Visitor Support & Well-Being
A1. Carry ADKX cell phone as assigned and serve as initial security and safety responder as needed. Escalate situations as needed to include emergency services, Director of Access Inclusion and Visitor Support staff, Facilities Manager, or other as needed.
A2. When assigned as primary Visitor Support Assistant (roving on campus), plan to attend morning meeting in Life in the Adirondacks breakroom and to check in with other departments to let them know they are the primary VSA for the day.
A3. Be well-versed in ADKX Emergency Response procedures and policies. Be familiar with location of first-aid kits, AED devices, and other safety or emergency equipment that may be needed.
A4. Be familiar with any apps or software available on phone to be able to efficiently communicate any emergency situations that all staff need to be made aware of such as lost child, weather warning, or other emergency situations.
A5. Be familiar with all aspects of museum daily offerings including exhibits and high interest objects, program offerings and events, boathouse operations, membership, store, and café. Provide directions to visitors for personal services such as restrooms, meals, snacks, telephones, membership information, and shopping opportunities in a knowledgeable and accurate manner.
A6. Assist visitors with wheelchairs, strollers, scooters, walkers, or other mobility devices as requested, and assisting with accessible routes and paths.
A7. Assist as requested with greeting groups, busses, and other groups as requested.
A8. Work with visitors who have requested accommodations, such as serving as a human guide, as assigned.
B. Operate Boathouse & Trails
B1. Greet visitors
B2. Share information, including safety and restrictions, with visitors about trails, boathouse, boats, and Minnow Pond.
B3. Maintain and track sign-in sheets to monitor # of visitors on trail and ensure all parties are off trail at end of day.
B4. Ensure waivers are completed prior to taking boats out on pond.
B5. Load/unload boats into water from dock and assist visitors in and out of boats.
B6. Provide basic boat use and safety instructions and monitor safe use of boats.
B7. Operate rescue boat in case paddlers are facing difficulties or tip over. Perform any additional emergency care as needed.
B8. Maintain boathouse materials and equipment and outhouse.
B9. Complete minor trail maintenance work (branch removal, raking, etc).
B10. Communicate with other boathouse staff and trailhead staff, and on campus staff in case of delays, closures, or emergencies.
C. Light Cleaning
C1. Clean and maintain Woods & Waters, Buck Lake Club Cabin, and Boats & Boating. Cleaning guidelines for each exhibit will be provided.
C2. Sweep and/or vacuum high traffic areas
C3. Clean glass
C4. Dust non-collection surfaces (reader rails, cases, platforms).
D. Security
D1. Have primary responsibility for the Boats & Boating and Woods & Waters exhibit and conduct regular walk-throughs of each exhibit throughout the day to ensure visitor and collections safety.
D2. Work with other Visitor Support Assistants to ensure that Woods & Waters, Buck Lake Club Cabin, and Boats & Boating are closed at night (lights off, doors secured correctly).
D3. Work with other Visitor Support Assistants to conduct an end-of-day security sweep to ensure all exhibit building and public facing doors are secured at the end of the night (or other plan is in place for securing buildings in case of special event). Complete daily report to help identify any areas of concern with exhibit security and grounds safety.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Friendly and positive attitude, tactful and courteous.
Ability to multi-task, answer questions and present information in a concise manner, and work with multiple visitors or visitor groups at a time.
Strong verbal communication skills, particularly for working with visitors, staff, vendors, etc in higher stress or emergency situations.
Strong written communication skills for reporting incidents and completing forms.
Comfortable using 2-way radio, cell phones, and other communication devices. Able to respond to radio and cell phone alerts in a timely manner.
Able to stand for long periods of time and to move around campus, including hills and stairs, on a frequent basis and to hike ¾ mile to ADKX Boathouse.
Ability to kneel and bend to assist visitors in and out of boats from dock.
Have valid certifications, or plan to complete certification, for Basic CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid, and NYS Boater Safety. Participate in non-certification boater rescue training offered by ADKX.
Able to lift 50 lbs.
Second language a plus.