Customer Service Specialist

Customer Service Specialist

Allerton Park and Retreat Center

Allerton Park and Retreat Center, in Monticello, IL, is accepting applications for a Customer Service Specialist who will be responsible for delivering high-quality guest experience through housekeeping, front desk operations, and event support, ensuring Allerton accommodations and guest services are clean, welcoming, and well-coordinated. This role serves as a primary point of contact for guests and potential guests while supporting daily hotel and event operations. The hours for this position are 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.. The schedule will be flexible based around operational needs with weekends required. This position is an in-person role and requires the successful candidate to work on site at Allerton.

Duties & Responsibilities

Housekeeping & Guest Accommodations

• Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and comfortable environment throughout guest rooms and hotel areas, ensuring the Allerton guest experience is executed with consistent attention to detail.
• Clean and prepare guest rooms and bathrooms, including dusting, mopping, vacuuming, washing windows, and other necessary cleaning duties.
• Make beds and remove, replace, wash, dry, and fold linens and other laundry.
• Restock guest-room closets, housekeeping supplies, linens, and other necessary items.
• Maintain hotel inventory and identify, report, and/or purchase needed housekeeping and guest-service supplies as necessary.
• Report maintenance issues, damaged items, safety concerns, and other items in need of repair.
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of guest rooms and guest belongings.
• Supervise part-time and full-time housekeeping staff. Supervisory duties include interviewing candidates, training employees, assigning work, monitoring performance, and evaluating staff.
• In collaboration with the Retreat Center Coordinator, help establish and maintain standards and procedures for housekeeping, hotel operations, and the overall Allerton guest experience.

Hospitality and Guest Services

• Serve as a primary point of contact for guests and potential guests, providing friendly, professional, and responsive service.
• Greet and register guests and process guest check-outs while maintaining a high standard of customer service.
• Manage front-desk functions including making reservations, sending confirmation emails, processing payments and refunds, maintaining guest records, and resolving guest concerns.
• Respond to guest inquiries and requests and resolve issues in a timely, friendly, and efficient manner, referring guests to the appropriate department when additional assistance is needed.
• Maintain accurate records of guest information and interactions.
• Answer questions regarding Allerton history, amenities, programs, facilities, and area attractions.
• Book rentals for events, including processing payments and emailing confirmations and necessary information to clients.
• Serve as a resource for guests and clients before, during, and after their stay or event.
• Assist with preparing property spaces for events by helping with set-up and placement of food, beverages, equipment, and other items as needed.
• Sell gift certificates, Allerton merchandise, and other products in person and by telephone, including preparing products for customers, processing payments, shipping orders, and recording sales.
• Compile monthly hotel operating revenue information and prepare statements for the Retreat Center Coordinator.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Allerton''s hospitality, housekeeping, and retreat-center operations.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:

A. college coursework in business administration, communications, public relations or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor's degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

B. responsible work experience in customer services, public relations, office administration, business and financial operations, healthcare administration or other closely related experience.

3. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience comparable to that gained as a Customer Service Representative

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and provide welcoming and positive interactions with hotel guests.
• Ability to demonstrate reliability.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4809 - Customer Service Specialist position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary for this position is $42,000- $46,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 22, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting.

For full consideration, application materials should include a cover letter, current resume (including month/year employment dates), contact information for three professional references, and transcripts or proof of degree(s). Please ensure that your resume highlights your qualifications/experience for this position. This may include professional, academic, volunteer, or other applicable experience that aligns with the responsibilities of this role.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.

For further information about this specific position, please contact jmgiffor@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1038069

Job Category: Administrative Support

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu