Special Exhibit Associate - DinoRama

Title: Special Exhibit Associate - DinoRama

Classification: Temporary, Part Time, Non-exempt

Department: Guest Experience

Reports To: Director of Guest Experience

Wage Band: Technical Skills Level 1

Compensation: $20.80 per hour

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: The Special Exhibit Pavilion Associate will support the exhibit “DinoRama: Miniatures of the Mesozoic” in the Sprague Pavilion. DinoRama is an exciting and whimsical walk through time created with miniature dinosaur scenes. The Pavilion Associate will support the Guest Experience team in a variety of tasks, including engaging guests as they roam through the exhibit, monitoring visitor flow, and helping to ensure a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience. This position is primarily outdoors and requires frequent standing and walking in varying weather conditions.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Greet visitors pleasantly as they enter the exhibit, monitor visitor flow, and maintain a welcoming and engaging presence throughout the Pavilion.
• Become familiar with the exhibit, including dinosaurs, the Mesozoic period, and general science and facts provided, and use this knowledge to answer guest questions and spark curiosity.
• Interact with visitors personably to make their visit an informative, rewarding, and enjoyable experience in and out of the Pavilion.
• Provide a consistent presence during exhibit hours to monitor exhibit areas, ensure exhibit items are not mistreated, and promote safe and appropriate visitor behavior.
• Enforce ticketing and entry procedures at the Pavilion.
• Assist with greeting and hosting group bookings, maintaining Pavilion flow, collaborating with internal departments, and ensuring a smooth experience in coordination with the Guest Experience Manager.
• Demonstrate a professional demeanor when interacting with visitors, trustees, donors, and vendors on the phone and in person.
• Check the condition of the exhibit at opening and closing each day. Ensure proper closing of the Pavilion in conjunction with the Guest Experience team, including cleanup of the exhibit and proper disposal and/or disinfection of trash, tools, and work areas.
• Provide upkeep of Pavilion plants following the established care plan and report any issues directly to the Guest Experience Manager.
• Work directly with managers to communicate special exhibit needs, including volunteer support, maintenance issues, and other operational needs.
• Become familiar with Museum events and programs and provide accurate and helpful information to volunteers and guests. Promote visitation to the Museum and act as a Museum representative.
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and accessible environment for the public and ensure the workspace remains clean and clear of clutter consistent with Museum and department operations and safety procedures.
• Contribute to a positive guest experience by greeting guests and addressing questions as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Support the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong ability to interact with various types of individuals, including both adults and children. 
• Ability to spark curiosity and engage visitors in inquiry-based dialogue; enjoys answering questions and providing a positive and engaging visitor experience.
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor amid a high level of activity and large groups of visitors.
• Strong organizational skills, including an excellent ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Able to work independently, be proactive, and troubleshoot.
• Must be available to work Museum open hours, including at least one weekend shift and holidays. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; schedules vary and may include shifts between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Comfortable working primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, and other inclement weather.
• Must adhere to Museum dress code, including wearing provided Museum-branded shirts and a name badge at all times.
• Bilingual, a plus.
• Dependable, punctual, and reliable.
• Interest in dinosaurs, paleontology, and/or natural history, preferred.

Work Environment:

• Primarily works outdoors in the Sprague Pavilion and throughout the Museum campus, including in varying weather conditions such as heat, rain, and inclement weather.
• Extensive interaction with the public, including children and adults.
• Frequent standing and walking for extended periods, with frequent bending and lifting of medium loads up to 25 lbs.
• Frequent repetitive movement tasks.
• Occasional work outside of regular hours for special events or other Museum needs.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.