Visitor Services Manager, Idaho Museum of Natural History (3175)

Visitor Services Manager, Idaho Museum of Natural History (3175)

Pocatello - Main
NOT eligible for remote work, on-campus position
Priority Date: May 24, 2026

Institution Information

Idaho State University, established in 1901, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research and teaching institution, with a culture built on trust, compassion, stability, and hope. ISU serves over 12,000 students in Pocatello, Meridian, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Students and faculty at ISU are leading the way in cutting-edge research and innovative solutions. We are proud to offer exceptional academics nestled in the grand, natural beauty of the West. We invite you to apply to be a part of our University community!

Job Description

The Visitor Services Manager collaborates across the Museum to ensure that all visitors are met with an inviting and dynamic first impression of the museum and leave equipped to engage more deeply with the museum on multiple levels. This position is central to the advancement of audience loyalty, encouraging membership sales, and attracting both new and repeat visitors through close collaboration with Public Operations. The role encompasses the operation of the Gallery Desk and training of staff, gallery attendants, and volunteers; the continual enhancement of a museum-wide commitment to a visitor-centered experience; and volunteer recruitment. This position directly reports to the Assistant Director of Public Operations.

This position is not eligible for new visa sponsorship at this time. Candidates who already hold valid U.S. work authorization may be considered.

Key Responsibilities

VISITOR EXPERIENCE (75%)

• Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor visitor services staff.
• Manage an active training and communication system for VS staff and volunteers to stay informed and updated on current and upcoming exhibitions, programs, and other museum activities.
• Develop, implement and maintain procedures for the admission ticketing system. Includes working with Finance and IT to ensure terminal set-up, reliability, and security of all data and transactions.
• Lead the daily operations of the admissions desks with a focus on excellent customer service including response to visitor complaints and other feedback.
• Work in the store week and/or weekend days, open to close.
• Event staffing, includes occasional after-hours and weekend.
• Schedule and manage part-time staff (weekend and part of week days).
• Work with Education and other departments that organize special events and programs (member events, films, performances, etc.) to assure the timely and appropriate reception for groups and individuals with reservations. Includes selling memberships and promoting the benefits of all membership levels.
• Maintain inventory, merchandising, sales, POS maintenance.
• Report weekly sales and purchase needs to Public Operations.
• Be in accordance with ISU Financial and HR policies.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (15%)

• Organize and coordinate volunteer recruitment.
• Promote volunteer opportunities and support volunteer placement in other museum departments.
• Work with other departments to help coordinate an annual volunteer recognition program and maintain records for the annual report.

ADMINISTRATION (10%)

• Manage Director's travel and purchase transactions, facilitate appointment scheduling, communicate Director's schedule with staff.
• Assist with logistics for Advocacy Board meetings.
• Assisting staff with general clerical tasks (scheduling, trainings, vehicle reservations, etc).
• Assisting with new employee on-boarding.
• Distributing incoming mail and packages.
• Preparing outgoing mail and packages.
• Maintaining general office equipment (i.e. toner, copy machine, printer paper, office supplies).
• Answering main Museum phone line, taking messages, facilitating appointments.
• Event administrative work (reserving space, speaker contracts, arranging caterings).

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in communications, museum studies, anthropology, natural sciences history, or other related field from an accredited institution is required for this position. In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
• At least two (2) years retail experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and database applications, multiple Point of Sales systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five (5) years customer service experience and a strong track record of providing excellent customer service preferably in a museum of non-profit organizations.
• At least two (2) years of experience of interviewing, hiring, training, and supervising staff.
• Experience with volunteer management and recruitment.

Additional Information

You must submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references, including current contact information. This position will remain open until it is filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received on or before May 24, 2026. Salary will be $49,750 per year, commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision; life insurance; disability plan; employee assistance program (EAP); excellent retirement options and company contribution; and generous paid time off/sick leave accrual. All offers of employment are conditional pending the successful completion of a background investigation, provided by HireRight.

Posting Number: req2699
Type: Working 12 months per year
Position: Non-classified Staff
Division: Office for Research

Idaho State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, including Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.