Public Programs Host

Job Description

Job Description

The Strong offers programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the power and importance of play in their lives. The public programs host is responsible for providing extraordinary guest service while assisting in the execution of museum public programs. This position is responsible for assisting in the set-up and take-down of events, monitoring and maintaining program supplies, and facilitating hands-on exploration of playful, educational themes.

This position requires a dynamic, creative, organized, and energetic individual who is passionate about interacting with juvenile and adult audiences and is able to work a flexible schedule that requires weekends. The public programs host is required to expend such personal efforts as may be needed to keep up with advances in subject matter information related to this position. 

All museum staff are expected to cooperate with one another in furthering the museum’s general objectives and in completing museum projects. Similarly, all staff consistently maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude, act with integrity and in accordance with the highest ethical standards, and demonstrate a loyalty to the museum in all public contacts. Guests and colleagues deserve our best efforts every day.

Essential Functions:

The specifications described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide quality service to guests, both onsite and offsite, regardless of specific assignment. Understand the importance the museum places on extraordinary guest service and treat everyone with dignity and respect. 
• Greet, welcome, and interact with museum guests on behalf of public program activities.
• Report to work on time, as scheduled.
• Under the supervision of the Public Programs Manager, assist in the execution of public programs.
• Assist program volunteers and entertainers as needed.
• Participate in the set-up and take-down of public programs events.
• Facilitate program crafts and activities at specific stations. Model proper use of materials and supplies. Always remain in assigned area, unless permission is granted by the program leader.
• Keep work areas safe and inviting by cleaning up after activities. Restock and maintain inventory of craft and activity supplies as needed. Notify program leader of low-stock items if necessary.
• Engage with museum guests in a full-body mascot-style costume or escort the costume character, as requested. Attend training as assigned to be eligible to participate in this role.
• Provide answers to guests’ questions, including information regarding daily events, programs, and museum membership.
• Monitor safety considerations, handle minor emergencies appropriately, and call for assistance as needed.
• Take initiative to identify and solve problems. Publicly support team decisions, even if they conflict with personal opinions.
• Participate in all required museum trainings.
• Welcome new staff and create a positive work environment. 
• Identify and act on opportunities to help and support the efforts of coworkers and staff from other teams.
• Assist in various programs, as assigned.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily indoors with moderate noise. On occasion, team members will be asked to work offsite at events short distances from the museum, which may cause exposure to inclement weather. Infrequent local travel may be expected for this position.

This position requires varying hours of work as determined by scheduled programs. Having flexible availability is essential. Hours vary greatly from day-to-day and from week-to-week, including many weekends, some holidays, and some evenings. Events occur mostly on weekends throughout the year. 

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job:

This position regularly requires full range of mobility in upper and lower body; the ability to reach overhead; the ability to work in various positions, including stooping, standing, walking, bending over, sitting in a chair or on the floor, kneeling, and squatting for extended periods of time; the use or operation of objects, tools or controls; the ability to climb three flights of stairs; and the ability to communicate or see with or without corrected vision. This position frequently requires the ability to lift, pull, push, and carry weight up to 25 pounds to complete assigned job tasks.

On days when programs are scheduled, a heightened amount of physical demands, including standing, walking, moving objects for set-up and take-down, and additional actions, is required.

Specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus are important for this role.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must consent to and pass a drug screen and criminal background check as conditions of employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement: 

The Strong is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of The Strong to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, military, or marital status. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: recruitment, selection, advancement, compensation, benefits, layoff, recall, transfer, and termination.