Guest Experience & Keyholder Guide (Part-Time)

• Location: 2234 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210
• Regular Schedule: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM (12 hours/week guaranteed)
• On-Call Schedule: ~3 hours of flexible fill-in time (occasional weekend half-shifts or sick-day coverage)
• Total Hours: ~12 to 15 hours per week (Part-time, year-round)
• Pay: $20/hour
• Perks: TriMet bus pass provided + Gift shop discount

About the Peculiarium

The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is Portland's one-of-a-kind museum and gift shop. We are a hands-on, weird, wonderful, and genuinely local institution. We've been making visitors feel gloriously uncomfortable (in the best way) for over 15 years. We are proudly independent and definitely not a corporate chain.

The Role: A Trusted Floor Captain

We are looking for a reliable, independent person to own the shop floor on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so our regular weekend crew can take their days off.

This role requires a mix of absolute warmth and a confident, grounded presence. While you will be the main face of the shop during your shift, you are never truly stranded. Management is always nearby in our adjacent production/office area and completely on-call if a weird or tricky situation arises.

This position is perfect for someone with a bit of life experience and a great sense of humor-such as a seasoned freelancer, a retired neighbor, or a mature student who knows how to hold a room with confidence.

What this role IS: A trusted position where you will run the front floor independently, make quick decisions on the fly, and take true ownership of the space.

What this role IS NOT: A passive counter gig, a short-term sprint, or a good fit for someone who is naturally shy or uncomfortable managing a busy crowd.

What You'll Do

• Command the Floor: Run the front of the shop independently with a warm, watchful, and highly observant eye.
• Open and Close: Learn our specific routines to open up the museum safely and lock things down perfectly at night.
• Keep Yourself Busy: There is always cleaning, merchandising, inventory, and organizing to do.
• Rove and Connect: Chat with tourists and locals, share neighborhood tips, and answer exhibit questions with ease.
• Keep it Pristine: Clean surfaces, dust exhibits, and proactively restock the restrooms. (Taking true pride in keeping our weird space beautiful is a core part of the job!)
• Handle Checkout: Run the register, handle cash, and ring up merchandise and admission tickets.

What We Are Looking For

• Grounded Presence & Street Smarts: You are observant, confident, and cool under pressure. If a rowdy kid is touching a fragile display, you can gently but firmly handle it with a smile. (Think "friendly bartender energy.")
• Life Experience & Humor: You have great social intuition, can think on your feet, and don't take yourself too seriously.
• Locked-In Midweek Availability: You must be consistently available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
• A Deeper Bench Schedule: You have the flexibility to pull an occasional weekend half-shift or cover a shift when a teammate calls out sick.
• Pride in Your Work: We provide a thorough, structured training period to ensure you know the ropes inside and out before you fly solo!
• Portland Love: You've lived here a year or two and genuinely love the city's unique, weird vibe.

How to Apply

We prefer to connect in person! Stop by the Peculiarium during open hours and drop off your resume. (If you absolutely can't make it by, email us at Info@Peculiarium.com).

Important: Along with your resume, please tell us a little bit about your Portland. Share a favorite neighborhood spot, a hidden gem, or a weird piece of local history that makes you glad to live here.