Visitor Experience Specialist

Visitor Experience Specialist

The Visitor Experience Specialist position provides customer service to the public on the Visitor Interpretive Center, its trails and history, the surrounding region and Paul Smith's College. In addition, the position is responsible for retail sales, center maintenance, patrolling the trails to orient visitors to the site, its natural history, and ecology, and supporting other needs of the center.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide excellent customer service to all guests providing information on trail conditions, natural history, center programs, excursions in the surrounding area, and details about Paul Smith's College.
• Staff the front desk of the Visitor Interpretive Center for assigned shifts (½-full day) as the primary point of contact for visitors, both in person and telephone.
• Manage in person, web-based, and telephone program registrations.
• Assist with retail sales, managing inventory and restocking.
• Assist with ski and snowshoe rentals.
• Assist with administrative, maintenance, and logistical needs of the center including maintaining cleanliness of front desk, visitor areas, restrooms and minor maintenance tasks as needed.
• Patrol trails to orient visitors to the site, check ski passes, enforce center rules and minor trail maintenance.
• Assist with program and event logistics as needed.

Qualifications:

• All education and experience levels are considered.
• Knowledge of or interest in Adirondack natural history and ecology.
• Strong desire to learn, share, and teach about the Adirondacks.
• Work experience in a related field, including one year of experience with retail sales (operation of cash register) and inventory management preferred.
• Experience and interest in working with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, over the phone, in person, and written communication.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, and point-of-sale systems.
• Ability to work weekends and events.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.

Preferred:

• Certification in at least one of the following or willingness to obtain: First aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder.

Physical Requirements:

Environmental Conditions

• Perform moderate physical tasks outdoors in all seasons and weather.
• Ability to comfortably transition from an indoors, climate-controlled environment to potentially inclement weather outdoors multiple times throughout the day.

Lifting and Carrying

• Ability to regularly lift items up to 50 lbs. alone and heavier with assistance.
• Frequent lifting and carrying moderate to heavy items including furniture, construction materials, and large tools.

Mobility

• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel to pick up items as necessary.
• Climbing various staircases across the campus to engage in meetings and/or presentations.
• Capable of walking unassisted on uneven surfaces 1-3 miles per day.
• Ability to hike/snowshoe several miles on gentle, rolling hiking trails with a mix of terrain including roots, rocks, boardwalks.
• Utilize mobility assistive devices and equipment as necessary.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and moving to complete daily tasks.
• Ability to climb ladders.
• Ability to enter and exit a UTV, ATV, and snowmobile frequently throughout the day.
• Ability to shovel snow in winter.

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination

• Manual dexterity for operating hand and power tools.
• Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.
• Frequent need to reach overhead or below shoulder level to perform work duties.

Sensory Requirements

• Good vision, with corrective lenses as necessary.
• Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary.

Paul Smith's College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.

Application review starts immediately with expected start date of December 1, 2026