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DIRECTOR OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Job Description

Reports to: Associate Director for Public Engagement  

Supervises: Visitor Experience Coordinator & Assistants  

Classification: Regular, full-time, non-exempt, 40 hours, on site 

Scope of Position: The Director of Visitor Experience is responsible for the content and quality of the visitor experience at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and Casa de la Guerra. This includes hiring, managing and scheduling a team of Visitor Experience staff, overseeing a visitor evaluation program, creating a visitor experience that meets SBTHP’s strategic objectives, working closely with staff on the maintenance and planning for new exhibits, supporting the SBTHP Programs team for public and school programs on site, and managing site opening and closing, gift shop, and cash register during operational hours. Source products for and manage inventory of the gift shops and manage pop-up gift shops when needed.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manager: Recruit, train, and manage a team of Visitor Experience Assistants (VEA)who will serve as the primary public interface during regular hours of operation for SBTHP at El Presidio SHP and Casa de la Guerra. Duties include hiring, scheduling and training staff, delivering annual performance evaluations, ensuring coverage during hours of operation, and performance management.  The Director will also develop and manage an ongoing program for professional development, and also coordinate with SBTHP Programs team for staff support for school and public programs. Provide coverage at the front desk when VEA are on breaks or attending to other duties. 

• Historic Site Interpretation: Under the guidance and supervision of the Associate Director for Public Engagement and in conjunction with related staff, develop an interactive orientation experience for visitors. Develop and manage other visitor programs like regular, guided park and Presidio Neighborhood tours, hands-on activities and dialogic programs. Train and manage staff to implement these activities.  

• Evaluation Program: Develop and implement a formative and summative evaluation program for the visitor experience and collect and report on visitor demographics and evaluations to appropriate staff and committees. Train Visitor Experience Assistants to assist with this process. 

• Exhibit Maintenance and Site Care: Responsible for El Presidio SHP and Casa opening and closing during public hours. Light cleaning of exhibit spaces, ensure trash is emptied, and bathrooms are stocked, and maintenance needs in areas accessible to visitors are reported. Assist staff with exhibit updates and planning.  

• Cash management: Handle cash and credit card transactions including admission and gift shop sales.  Oversee accurate cash handling and reconciliation of cash register and prepare daily sales closeout report.  

• Gift Shop/online gift shop sales: Plan and implement strategies for increasing sales and integrating the gift shop into museum operations, including participating in marketing efforts for the gift shop.  Select, purchase, and display appropriate merchandise.  Manage and track inventory, conduct sales, and stock merchandise. 

• Reception:  Ensure reception duties are performed for both telephone and in-person contact during weekend public open hours at El Presidio SHP and provide backup reception support to the Office Manager during regular business hours.  Ensure reception duties are performed at Casa de la Guerra.  

SBTHP is a diverse organization with a small staff and many activities; all staff members must be versatile and cooperative in carrying out a variety of responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Executive Director.   

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Minimum two years’ experience in a comparable position required.  Degree in education, history, archaeology, or related field desired; graduate degree or coursework preferred.  Previous retail, cash-handling, and customer service experience preferred.  Requires strong oral, organizational and interpersonal skills, along with good office skills, including Excel, Square, and Wix platforms (preparedness to learn specific programs when direct experience is not available is desirable).  Outgoing and confident manner; leadership skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.  Demonstrated ability to perform well under pressure and deal with awkward situations. Proficiency in a second language is desirable. Must be available to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.   

Applicants with demonstrated experience that will support SBTHP’s mission and values will be prioritized. 

Start date:  ASAP  

Typical schedule:  To be determined with supervisor. Priority based on El Presidio SHP public hours (Monday - Sunday 10:30AM – 4:30PM), and one weekend day worked at least twice a month. Must be available to work weekends, and evenings and holidays on occasion.  

Salary: $31-35 /hour plus benefit package    

Application Process: 

A complete application form, cover letter and resume are required.  The cover letter should include a statement about how your experience will support the organization’s mission and values.  Please send application package to Kevin McGarry, kevin@sbthp.org

EVENT ATTENDANT

Reports to: Director of Special Events & Rentals 

Classification: Regular, part time, non-exempt

Scope of Position 

The Event Attendant is scheduled to work private events at Casa de la Guerra and El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and occasionally for Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) sponsored events. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Welcome and orient renters/vendors/guests to Presidio or Casa de la Guerra facilities. 

• Assist with event set-up, including moving chairs and tables when needed. 

• Implements the rules and guidelines of SBTHP with the renters, vendors (such as catering, party rentals, music, florists, etc.), and guests during the event, set-up, and tear down. 

• Maintains, protects, and secures the historic properties and structures throughout duration of each event, including opening and closing facilities, and arming/disarming the alarm system. 

• Ensures parking and noise are appropriate to the event and do not conflict with general safety, the visitor experience, or neighboring businesses. 

• Provide staff support/troubleshooting to renters as needed. 

• Light maintenance of sites, including occasional sweeping, raking, picking up trash as necessary. 

• Restock restroom supplies and maintain restrooms in clean condition as needed.

• Coordinate and maintain communication with SBTHP staff and volunteers during open hours to ensure that event is successful and the public’s enjoyment of SBTHP sites is unhampered. 

• Represent SBTHP as needed to visitors to El Presidio SHP and the Casa by answering questions about general history, site rental, operating hours, etc. 

• Opportunities may arise to work additional hours beyond those scheduled in accordance with this job description to assist with other organizational tasks such as visitor center duties and SBTHP’s public programs, as needed.  

• SBTHP is a diverse organization with a small staff and many activities. All staff members, including the Event Attendant, must be versatile and cooperative in carrying out a variety of responsibilities and duties, as assigned by the Director of Special Events & Rentals and/or the Associate Director of Advancement. 

Qualifications and Requirements 

Outgoing and confident manner; ability to work independently; to perform well under pressure and deal with awkward situations; excellent human relations skills; good verbal skills; dependable; able to work outdoors; able to understand and follow detailed directions; able to adapt to last minute changes required. Reliable transportation, and availability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and to work varying shifts required. Must be age 21 or over. Interest in history and museums; previous event experience preferred. A high school education/G.E.D., plus two years’ experience in a similar position with a public-facing role preferred.  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 35 lbs. 

• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel 

• Ability to sit for long periods of time 

• Ability to stand for long periods of time 

• Ability to reach overhead 

• Hearing acuity to perform communication with members of the public via telephone. 

Start Date: As soon as possible 

Usual Schedule: A minimum of 10 hours per week (40 hours per month) dependent on rental and organizational activity. 

Salary: $19/hour. 

Deadline for Application: Open until filled 

Application Process: Please submit applicationand resume to Jordan Hitchens, jordan@sbthp.org.