Museum Attendant

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Serves as a front-line provider of customer service and museum information to the Harvard community and the visiting public. Provides support for all Harvard Art Museums Security operations including the monitoring of all museum spaces to ensure safe and reliable access and egress as well as the enforcement of museum rules and regulations.

Harvard Art Museums are seeking three individuals to fill the Museum Attendant roles. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Security Manager, provides protection of the visitors, staff, and collections of the Harvard Art Museums.
• Patrols the galleries and responds to object alarms.
• Maintains surveillance of the visiting public in order to avoid damage, either intentional or accidental, to the objects within the collection and on display.
• Provides services to visitors and colleagues; e.g., answers questions, gives directions, refers to other sources of information (i.e., Visitor Services) when appropriate. 
• Keeps informed of all museum programming and events in order to better answer visitor questions.
• Seeks to minimize or contain conflict, and engages the Security Manager when needed and as instructed.
• Enforces policies related to conduct of museum visitors, as directed.
• Controls and monitors access and egress points of the building.
• Performs the duties of escort into restricted areas of the Harvard Art Museums as directed.
• Acts in a calm and decisive manner in assisting in the evacuation of the public and staff from the building during fire alarms or other emergencies.
• Completes incident reports as necessary and submits such reports to the Security Manager.
• Performs daily inspections of galleries, “back of the house” spaces and reports on safety issues, security issues, and the physical condition of the museums facilities and equipment.
• Works closely with other Harvard Art Museums services and staff members to ensure the effective coordination of service efforts through the use of radio and other modes of communication. Acts as a highly visible representative of the Harvard Art Museums Security staff. 
• Presents a clean, neat and professional image in accordance with established uniform and appearance standards.
• Maintains a constructive and positive demeanor. Engages with all visitors and staff in a professional and courteous manner.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

• Minimum three years of customer service experience required.
• Ability to patrol multi-story museum building for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to see clearly in various lighting conditions.
• Must be able to communicate in English clearly via speech and hearing, with or without corrective devices. Position requires use of a radio for two-way communication, and the wearing of an earpiece.
• Must be able to lift and use a fire extinguisher weighing 10 lbs., after being trained

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Good written and oral communication skills in English; ability to learn and follow procedures and adapt to new procedures; attention to detail; prior security experience desirable; training in (or ability to be trained in) CPR and/or first aid desirable.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 37.5 hours per week. ​​​​​ Schedule: 9:15 AM – 5:15 PM Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with Monday & Wednesday off. LAST WEEK OF EACH MONTH*:
  • Tuesday: 9:15 AM – 5:15 PM
  • Thursday*: 1:15 PM – 9:15 PM
  • Friday: 9:15 AM – 5:15 PM
  • Saturday: 9:15 AM – 5:15 PM
  • Sunday: 9:15 AM – 5:15 PM
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity and Criminal
• Other Information:
  • Harvard Art Museums are seeking three individuals to fill the Museum Attendant roles. 
  • Will be required to wear a uniform provided by the Museums.
  • The Harvard Art Museums are open all year. This position will be scheduled to work on some holidays.
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.
  • Our interview process may include both virtual interviews via Zoom and in-person interviews. Candidates selected as finalists may be asked to participate in an in-person interview. 

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 047. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.