Seasonal Visitor Services Associate

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16 - $18 / hour 

Hours per week: 14-20 

Job Classification: Non-exempt, Seasonal, Part-Time 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: August through September 

Location: Long Hill, Beverly, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Role: 

Long Hill is a scenic public garden and historic home located in Beverly. We are currently hiring a team of Visitor Services Associates who will work to further the mission of The Trustees and preserve our special place forever by providing superior service during general public visitation, programs, and events. This dynamic position presents an opportunity to serve our visitors by completing tasks that include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Overseeing general admission for daily visitors. 

• Overseeing admission to events and special programs.  

• Offering visitors information on different garden and historic house experiences. 

• Generating new memberships through visitor engagement. 

• Addressing concerns through to resolution. 

The Property: 

Long Hill is a 114 acre hill-top property purchased by Ellery and Mable Sedgwick in 1916. Ellery Sedgwick was the publisher and editor of the literary magazine The Atlantic Monthly. Mable Cabot Sedgwick was a talented amateur gardener who transformed the property into a spectacular botanical landscape, filled with perennials, terraces, pagodas, and fountains. In the 1920s the Sedgwicks built a Federal-revival home at the crest of the hill, incorporating elements from an 1802 Charleston, South Carolina, mansion and objects gathered from their world travels. 

Ellery Sedgwick published many of the eminent writers of the 20th century in his magazine, including Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Some of these figures, such as poet Robert Frost, visited Long Hill. Mabel Sedgwick published The Garden Month by Month, a popular practical gardening guide. Long Hill was the much-loved summer home for them and their children. After Mabel’s death, Ellery married Marjorie Russell, a renowned gardener in her own right, who continued to develop Long Hill’s gardens into what they are today. 

Your duties:

Gatehouse: 

• Provide directions and basic layout of the property to guests. 

• Uphold high standards of customer service, including greeting every customer, educating them about Long Hill and The Trustees, and helping them in a friendly manner. 

• Operate the point-of-sale system. 

• Responsible for cash handling; reconciling the cash drawer at end of day; conducting credit card transactions; and handling returns and refunds. 

Front Desk and Retail: 

Provide visitors with a warm welcome and offer guidance as needed including but not limited to: 

• Welcome group tours and assist interpreters.   

• Address visitor questions directly whenever possible. 

• Perform opening and closing duties related to cash reconciliation, organization, and cleanliness.  

• Receive deliveries and assist with inventory controls, including managing expiration dates; restocking shelves; merchandising; pricing new items; updating inventory; taking product photographs to specification; writing product descriptions; and updating in-store signage.  

Grab and Go:   

Support manager with various food service operations including but not limited to:  

• Maintaining a superior cleanliness standard. 

• Sale of grab and o’ merchandise. 

• Restocking grab and go merchandise. 

Events: 

Support setup and takedown of event including but not limited to: 

• Additional stanchions and/or signage. 

• Setting tables and chairs. 

• Coordinating event staff and guest arrival times. 

• Maintain Long Hill security, cleanliness, and customer service standards throughout the duration of events. 

• Assist with various tasks to ensure a smooth event at the discretion of the engagement manager and property director. 

• This is a part-time seasonal exempt position working flexible hours reporting directly to the manager of visitor services. 

This is a part-time seasonal exempt position working flexible hours reporting directly to the manager of visitor services. 

Requirements

What You’ll Need: 

Qualifications: 

• A degree in history, literature, gardening, theater or a related field, or equivalent experience. 

• Intellectually curious and open to learning and sharing new things. 

• Flexible and willing to meet the needs and interests of visitors. 

• Strong communication skills, dependability, and punctuality. 

• Attention to detail and a friendly demeanor. 

• Reliable and committed to their position, their site team, and the mission of the Trustees. 

Required: 

• Able to work most Fridays through Sundays. 

• Must be available through to the end of September. 

• High school diploma. 

• Ability to learn and use point-of-sale systems. 

• Candidate must be at least 18 years of age with a minimum of one year of work experience. 

• Able to work well with people in a team environment and to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally  

• Able to function and act both independently & as a team, plus make decisions & multitask under pressure. 

• Math skills for handling and counting cash. 

• Able to consistently lift 40lbs & stand for long periods of time (at least 6 hours). 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org 

Benefits

Your Benefits: 

• Sick Time: MA Sick Time Accrual

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.