Visitor Experience Associate

About the Job

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

This a contract position that expires May 17, 2027

Location: Weisman Art Museum

Hours: 24 hours/week onsite, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9am-6pm, Saturdays pending on event needs

Bargaining unit consideration begins on 9/18/2026 and ends on 9/25/26

The Visitor Experience Associate is responsible for supporting Front of House (FOH) and Events teams, assisting with gallery-related tasks and visitor experience duties across departments, including custodial and building operations tasks as assigned.

They serve as an enthusiastic, welcoming, and approachable presence throughout the museum to support wayfinding, access to resources, promote public programs and events, provide general information about the collections and special exhibitions, help keep the art safe from damage, assist in ensuring the safety of museum visitors, and share information that provides the best possible experience at the museum for all audiences.

A successful candidate must have previous experience working in a hands-on, task driven environment. We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic individual to work in a fast-paced environment with competing demands.

Job Responsibilities:

Support student gallery staff (50%)

• Assist Visitor Experience Coordinator with student gallery attendant management
• Monitor gallery to ensure adequate guard coverage and proper security of the art
• Demonstrate high levels of customer service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging to all museum visitors
• Become knowledgeable on the collections, the facilities, our programming and events, and our place within the University of Minnesota community
• Act as a communications hub between visitors, gallery guards, staff and event guests by utilizing the phone, computer systems, and radios
• Protect the artwork by continuously observing visitors' behavior while circulating in specific areas or galleries, including monitoring for restricted items and touching of art
• Ensure that visitors follow museum policies regarding food or drink in the galleries, and photography of artwork
• Communicate visitor comments, compliments, and concerns through appropriate channels
• Follow opening and closing procedures to ensure building security and that AV components are functioning properly in the galleries
• Monitor scheduled student staff to facilitate breaks, rotations, and ensure proper coverage in gallery spaces
• Promptly respond and direct calls and emails received at the front desk
• Assist in regular departmental training sessions
• Demonstrate social sensitivity and best practices for student Gallery Attendants to model while on the gallery floor
• Additional duties as assigned

Perform maintenance duties (25%)

• Perform routine housekeeping and custodial duties in museum facilities
• Perform security walkthrough, open/close and disarm/arm the museum
• Follow and enforce WAMs policies and procedures to ensure the safety of museum collections, property, and visitors, engaging with security personnel as necessary
• Perform scheduled building maintenance tasks
• Track inventory in storage spaces to organize and replenish as needed
• Additional duties as assigned

Establish and work to continually improve museum visitor and staff experience (25%)

• Ensure appropriate security, supervision, coaching, and modeling of behaviors that are consistent with exceptional hospitality in the museum gallery level
• Demonstrate leadership in fostering an organizational culture that values innovation, promotes inclusion, and inspires excellence in the work environment
• Observe and synthesize recurring pain points in the visitor experience to communicate with the relevant department, and offer improvements
• Assist in cross-departmental projects as needed

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED and five years related experience to include project management. Coursework in a related field may substitute for some years of experience
• Must be able to work mornings, evenings & weekends
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to use stairs daily
• Ability to understand and follow standard operating procedures
• Ability to read, understand, and complete written and verbal requests and work assignments in English
• Ability to stand for long periods of time-up to four hours at a time
• Dependability, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic event-driven environment
• Customer service experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a museum environment

About the Department

Since its origin in 1934, Weisman Art Museum has been a campus museum for the University of Minnesota. Today, our mission as a university art museum is to create and advance inclusive arts experiences to broaden understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our world. The Weisman is located at 333 East River Road, Minneapolis, on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Gallery admission is always free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.wam.umn.edu.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $25.78 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 60% Appointment

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include the following required application materials:

• Resume

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nations most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.