Seasonal Gate Attendant

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s 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:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16 - $17/hour 

Hours per week: 17 – 25 hours/week during peak season, reduced hours in off season 

Job Classification: Limited term, non-exempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: April - November 

Location: Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA

What You’ll Do:

The Role:

The Trustees is seeking a seasonal part time Gate Attendant for Castle Hill on The Crane Estate. As a Gate Attendant, you and your team will ensure that tens of thousands of visitors each year have a positive experience on the property. You will welcome all visitors and educate them about the Castle Hill experience, collect entry fees, and advise visitors about important regulations. You will also handle cash and process credit card transactions, keeping tight records of entries and fees. You will often work alone in the comfortable Castle Hill climate controlled entry booth, but are sometimes supported by additional staff on the busiest days. You also perform general cleaning of the small entrance booth. 

Specifically, you’ll:

• Represent The Trustees in accordance with the messages provided by the organization’s Visitor Experience Coordinator  

• Attempt to secure memberships from visitors as they enter the property, explaining the membership benefits and promoting special events  

• Greet visitors in a warm and welcoming manner while also collecting fees  

• Effectively and professionally manage visitor complaints; accurately report incidents according to Trustees policy  

• Efficiently track various types of admission; reconcile daily revenue  

• Report safety concerns, incidents, and maintenance needs to the Visitor Experience Coordinator  

• Communicate rules and regulations to all visitors  

• Assist in the distribution and collection of feedback from Trustees' visitors  

• Open and close the property, including moving heavy “property closed” sign  

• Other duties as assigned 

This is a limited-term, nonexempt position (17-25 hours/week) reporting directly to the Visitor Experience Coordinator - Castle Hill.

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Customer service experience is strongly preferred  

• Highly motivated with strong public speaking skills to promote the mission of The Trustees  

• Able to keep ones cool while working to resolve conflict with visitors  

• Capable of working both independently and cooperatively with other staff  

• Must be rigorously detail-oriented  

• Perform tasks safely and in accordance with The Trustees safety policies and procedures 

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. [if needed] 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

• Ability to lift 40 pounds and be comfortable on feet for extended periods required.  

• Seating is provided inside of the booth.   

• Ability to frequently move between sitting and standing positions. 

• Flexibility to work holidays, evenings and weekends may be required

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: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• 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 accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.