Visitor Services Associate

Department

ISAC: Visitor Services & Security

About the Department

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr., and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind's progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world's leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.

Job Summary

The Visitor Services Associate (ISAC) serves as a front-line ambassador for the Museum, creating a welcoming, safe, and engaging experience for all visitors. This role is primarily public-facing and guest-services focused, emphasizing visitor engagement, gallery presence, and daily visitor support. The Visitor Services Associate role has responsibilities related to access awareness, safety monitoring, and emergency response, supporting daily museum operations, assisting with opening and closing procedures, and works collaboratively with museum colleagues to ensure an excellent visitor experience and the protection of museum spaces and collections.

Responsibilities

• Assists with fire alarm drills or dissemination of information regarding fire alarms.

• Assist with event set ups and breakdowns.

• Greet and register museum visitors while providing program information and support throughout galleries and public areas.

• Ensures compliance with museum guidelines, safeguards exhibitions and collections, and responds to visitor inquiries or concerns.

• Assist with opening and closing procedures, monitor public spaces for safety, and support setup and breakdown for tours, programs, and special events.

• Work cooperatively with colleagues across museum departments, participate in meetings and trainings, and complete assigned tasks to support overall museum operations.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience in guest services, customer service, hospitality, or other public-facing roles, preferably in museums, or higher education institutions.

• Exposure to safety awareness, facilities support, or access monitoring in a public setting is a plus.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Comfort using computers in a Windows-based environment and standard office software such as Microsoft Office.

• Ability and willingness to learn visitor management tools, access systems, and basic safety or monitoring technologies.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with a wide range of visitors.

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering excellent customer service in a public-facing environment.

• Ability to remain calm, observant, and responsive in busy or dynamic situations.

• Strong attention to detail and situational awareness related to visitor safety and protection of museum spaces and collections.

Working Conditions

• Extended periods of standing or stationary work at visitor services desks or in galleries.

• Regular movement throughout museum spaces to assist visitors and colleagues.

• Ability to move objects weighing up to approximately 20 pounds.

• Flexible scheduling, including evenings, weekends, and occasional after-hours events.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Museum & Arts

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$17.00 - $22.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.