"Visitor Experience Associate, Morris Arboretum & Gardens"

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Job Description Summary

Visitor Experience (VE) Associates assist the many guests (over 150,000 a year!) who visit the garden. VE Associates are the face of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens and a vital part of the team, ensuring a memorable, positive experience for our guests. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a world-renowned Arboretum and work with amazing people in a beautiful setting.

Job Description

DUTIES:

VE Associates greet visitors, handle admissions and parking, run the gift shop, answer questions, sell memberships, and assist guests wherever possible.

VE Associates must be professional, reliable, friendly, and have exceptional customer service skills. They must also be comfortable working with computers, handling money, working outside, and standing for extended periods of time. Flexibility, working well under pressure, a sense of humor, and a strong sense of teamwork are also beneficial skills to have for this role.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified candidate will have:

• A friendly, customer-centered demeanor.
• 0-1 years' experience in customer-focused roles.
• The ability to stay calm under pressure.
• A willingness to jump in when needed and address problems.
• Strong attention to detail and experience handling money.
• Ability to convey information in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time, in all types of weather.
• Experience working on a computer and tablet.
• A valid driver’s license.

This is a year-round, part-time (averaging 18 hours per week), paid position with variable hours. Weekend and holidays availability required. VE Associates average more hours during the season (April through October, December) and less during the winter (November, January through March).

Application Requirement:

A Resume/CV is required to be considered for this position. A Cover Letter is strongly encouraged. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Pay Rate:

This position pays $16.83/hour.

About the Morris Arboretum & Gardens

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants and people through education, research, and horticultural display.

Located in the Northwest section of the city, the Morris Arboretum is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The Arboretum is home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. A hub for botany, horticulture, and urban forestry, the Morris Arboretum is a special part of Penn. More information can be found here: Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania.