Visitor Services Specialist

Job Title: Visitor Services Specialist (Part-Time, Seasonal)
Compensation: $19.00/hour
Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Duration: August – October 2025
Schedule: 4 days per week, 11 am - 4 pm (Wednesday through Saturday)
Location: Kent Historical Museum, 855 E Smith Street, Kent, WA
Reports To: Executive Director

Position Overview

The Kent Historical Museum seeks a friendly, dependable, and detail-oriented Visitor Services Specialist for a part-time, seasonal role from August to October. This public-facing position is vital to our daily operations, providing front desk support, welcoming visitors, assisting with light upkeep of public spaces, and helping with basic museum opening and closing procedures. The ideal candidate is professional, courteous, and enjoys creating a welcoming environment for guests.

Depending on interest and skill, this role may also include basic graphic design , administrative support, or program assistance to the Outreach & Special Events Manager, the Museum Learning Coordinator, or the Executive Director.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in museums, customer service, or community engagement, and may be especially suitable for a student, early-career professional, or retiree looking for meaningful part-time work.

Key Responsibilities

• Greet and check in museum visitors during open hours
• Monitor guestbook entries and assist visitors with questions
• Answer the museum phone and take messages as needed
• Perform light tidying of public areas (e.g., straightening brochures, wiping down counters, helping put away supplies after programs).
• Assist with opening and closing procedures (e.g., lights, checking restrooms, unlocking/locking doors)
• Offer gift shop options to visitors, encourage visitors to consider museum memberships.
• Assist with mailings and other administrative tasks.
• Support front desk coverage during public programs and special events
• Provide basic administrative assistance (e.g., restocking supplies, filing)
• Take photographs of events and upload them to shared Google Drive
• Optional: Assist with graphic design tasks (e.g., designing flyers, digital signage)
• Optional: Provide occasional support to Museum Learning Coordinator or Manager of Outreach & Special Events as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Comfortable working independently and reliably.
• Basic computer literacy (email, Google Drive, PDFs)
• Friendly, professional demeanor with visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Interest in history, culture, museums, or education is a plus
• Experience in customer service, education, or reception roles is helpful but not required
• Basic design skills (e.g., Canva or similar) a plus, but not required

Interview Process & Timeline:

• Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
• All applicants will be contacted regarding the status of their application.
• The hiring process includes two rounds of interviews:
  • An initial screening interview via Zoom or phone.
  • A second interview is conducted ideally in person, but may be conducted via Zoom if required.
• All interview questions will be shared in advance.
• Initial Zoom or phone screening may be conducted by Stacey Fischl, Manager of Outreach & Special Events, or by VJ Kopacki, Executive Director.
• Final interview will be conducted by VJ Kopacki, Executive Director.
• Reasonable accommodations are available at any point in the process upon request.

Schedule & Compensation

• 4 days per week, Wednesday–Saturday required
• Hours are generally 11:00 AM –4:00 PM, with a 30-minute unpaid meal break
• Pay: $19.00/hour, paid biweekly
• Eligible for overtime in accordance with Washington State labor laws

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Greater Kent Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and volunteers. Reasonable accommodations will be made during the hiring process or on the job as needed.

To Apply

We recognize that some candidates may hesitate to apply if they do not meet every listed qualification. However, if you are enthusiastic about the mission of the Kent Historical Museum, we encourage you to apply. We value potential, transferable skills, and a demonstrated commitment to community-centered work.

The Kent Historical Museum actively encourages applications from individuals who have been historically underrepresented or marginalized in the museum field, including—but not limited to—Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; LGBTQIA+ individuals; disabled people; and those from low-income or nontraditional educational and professional backgrounds. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that challenge the systemic exclusion historically associated with the museum and cultural sector. Our goal is to foster a work environment rooted in inclusion, accessibility, and representation, and we welcome candidates whose lived experiences contribute to a more inclusive institution.

Please submit a cover letter and a resume to vjkopacki@kenthistoricalmuseum.org with the subject line Visitor Services Specialist — Your Name. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.