Museum Associate

Overview At the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF), we’re growing, innovating and building inspiring experiences. Each of us is empowered to do meaningful work that sparks creativity in communities across the country. The National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum is a National Monument to Innovation that includes 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 full-time or part-time position. Up to 40 hours a week. Responsibilities 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. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience 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. Why Join the National Inventors Hall of Fame? 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. Check out our open positions above, then apply and share your resume with us. Step 2: Plan for a Phone Call Once our recruitment team reviews resumes and selects a few candidates, we’ll schedule an introductory phone call so we can learn more about you, and you can learn more about us. Step 3: Move the Conversation Along For a more in-depth conversation, our hiring managers might schedule a brief phone or video interview with you. Step 4: Join Us for an In-Person Interview We’ll narrow down our candidates and extend an invitation for an in-person interview at the NIHF headquarters. Here, you’ll meet with hiring managers and other team members. Step 5: Get Growing with the NIHF Team If you’re the right person for the position, we’ll present an offer letter and start the onboarding process with a background check, some new hire paperwork and all the organizational information you could ever want. Medical Choose from three different major medical plans, accommodating all levels of employment and income. 401(k) We offer 100% employer match, up to 4% of your annual salary, and options for both pre-tax and Roth contributions. Keep smiling with comprehensive dental plan coverage. Vision Your eyes are taken care of too, with comprehensive vision plan coverage. On-Site Gym Stay active with our on-site workout facility. Quarterly Training Program Keep learning with the 20+ trainings we offer to all employees each quarter. Social Events Get involved in a variety of wellness activities and social events, and grab lunch with scheduled on-site food trucks. Life and Disability All eligible employees get a free $25,000 basic life insurance policy, and voluntary plans are available too. Flexible Spending Account Choose from our options for a medical and dependent care flexible spending account. Supplemental Income We make critical illness, accident and hospital plans available. Employee Assistance Program Any time you need it, you’ll have access to counseling and advice that’s 100% anonymous. Flex Schedule With our flexible workday schedule program, our team achieves a better work-life balance while maintaining our core business hours. Eligible employees may choose to work remotely, up to two days per week, after initial training period ends. Paid Time Off Enjoy a flexible PTO plan and paid holidays, including a paid year-end closure. Working here gives us the opportunity to induct and collaborate with world-changing innovators, recognize emerging inventors and inspire children to realize their potential through education programs including Camp Invention. And as you might expect, ingenuity is rewarded here. Over 46% of us have earned a promotion — so far. To see how we keep growing as we connect great inventors with the next generation, follow us on LinkedIn. #J-18808-Ljbffr