Events & Visitor Services Associate

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the Massachusetts' premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Hourly Rate: $16.00 - $18.00

Hours per week: 20

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Part-Time, Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration: 4/1/2025 - 11/30/2025

Location: deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, MA

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

As the Events & Visitor Services Associate at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, you will provide superior customer service to guests during daily visits, programs, and events, furthering the mission of the Trustees to preserve our special places and share them with the community.

The Role:

 As the Events & Visitor Services Associate, you will have the opportunity to work at the visitor station and front desk, and during public and private events. In addition to these basic but crucial roles, you will assist with a variety of activities that include providing security and cross department support.

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Execute daily park operations, special events, and programming while maintaining art security and the overall visitor experience 
• Support public and private events by reading event briefs, fulfilling required roles, and providing superior customer service to all guests and vendors   
• Address every concern as a priority and see it through to completion working with the leadership team 
• Welcome all visitors while finding opportunities to generate new memberships through visitor engagement 
• Accurately and efficiently conduct a variety of sales including memberships, public event tickets, and admissions 
• Attend training to acquire and gain insight on exhibitions to offer to visitors 

Basic Responsibilities:

Visitor Station 

Efficiently facilitate initial admission sales or check-in. Offer relevant information to orient visitors to the property and set expectations for their visit. This may include but is not limited to the following: 

• Directions and basic layout of the property 

• Daily offerings such as programming and tours 

• Any special notices that may impact the visitor experience 

• Communicate arrival of deliveries, appointments, etc. to the appropriate staff members  

• Support Public and Private Events as needed based on information provided 

Front Desk 

Provide visitors with a warm welcome and offer guidance as needed including but not limited to: 

• Overview of museum and exhibition layout 

• Available tools and activities for families 

• Special daily offerings such as programming and tours 

• Facilitate group admission payment and membership purchases 

• Manage external calls to the museum in a professional manner 

• Forward calls as needed to appropriate staff members 

• Address visitor questions directly whenever possible 

• Contact the person who can help when not possible  

• Provide internal customer service to deCordova and Trustees’ staff members 

Security 

• Oversee guest interactions with exhibitions in the sculpture park and museum 

• Provide a warm welcome to guests entering museum building 

• Ensure museum policies are followed and respectfully address errant behavior  

• Assist with various activities throughout the museum campus as needed including but not limited to the following: 

• Tours 

• Events 

• Deliveries 

Events  

• Review Event Orders to understand specific needs for each event 

• Pre-Event Responsibilities including but not limited to: 

• Placing Event-Related Signage and additional stanchions and/or signage 

• Greet and direct vendors 

• Occasional setup support 

• Maintaining deCordova security, cleanliness, and customer service standards throughout the duration of events 

• Assist with various tasks to ensure a smooth event at the discretion of the event manager 

This is a part-time, limited term, nonexempt position working 20 hours per week reporting directly to the Visitor Services & Security Manager

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience: 

• At least 1 year of experience working with events preferred. Prior visitor services experience is highly desirable
• Flexible schedule including nights and weekend availability.  
• Effective and concise communication skills, both in person and with written materials  
• Excellent external and internal customer service skills  
• Must be able to remain calm, think on your feet to solve problems, and troubleshoot under pressure. 
• Must be personable and enjoy working with people using patience, courtesy, and kindness

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires standing, walking, reaching and bending for more than 80% of the day.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 
• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 40 hours

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.