Visitor Services Coordinator

Department: Education Center 

Reports To: Director of Operations, Education Center 

Status: Part-Time, 24 hours per week 

Potential: Position may transition to full-time based on organizational needs and performance 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Visitor Services Coordinator is responsible for providing a welcoming and efficient experience for visitors to the Peace River Wildlife Center Education Center. This position oversees the daily operation of the admissions desk, including visitor check-in, ticket and membership sales, front desk opening and closing procedures, and operation of the admissions registers.

The Coordinator also assists with the scheduling, training, and day-to-day coordination of volunteers assigned to admissions; answers incoming telephone calls; assists visitors with questions; and performs general administrative duties in support of the Education Center.

This position is initially part-time at approximately 24 hours per week, with the potential to transition to full-time as the Education Center's visitor volume and operational needs grow. Advancement to full-time will be based on organizational need, performance, reliability, and demonstrated ability to assume additional front-of-house responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Admissions & Visitor Services

• Welcome and greet visitors in a friendly, professional manner.
• Check visitors into the Education Center and provide general information and visitor policies.
• Sell and process admission tickets, memberships, and other applicable products or services.
• Promote memberships and other PRWC opportunities in a friendly and informative manner.
• Process cash, credit card, and other forms of payment accurately.
• Operate and reconcile admissions registers according to established procedures.
• Answer visitor questions and assist with resolving routine visitor concerns.
• Monitor the admissions area and help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment.
• Assist with clearing the atrium and other public areas of visitors at closing time.
• Communicate with Education Center staff regarding visitor needs, issues, or unusual circumstances.

Opening & Closing Procedures

• Open the admissions desk and prepare the area for daily operations.
• Complete daily opening procedures, including registers, equipment, displays, and other visitor-facing systems.
• Turn on and monitor electronic displays and other technology used in the visitor experience.
• Complete daily closing procedures, including securing the admissions area and registers.
• Turn off electronic displays and equipment as required.
• Ensure visitors have exited designated public areas before the Education Center closes.
• Follow established cash-handling, security, and closing procedures.

Volunteer Coordination

• Assist with the training and coordination of volunteers assigned to the admissions desk.
• Provide volunteers with daily assignments, information, and direction.
• Ensure admissions volunteers understand and follow established procedures.
• Help train new admissions volunteers in ticketing, memberships, visitor services, and front desk procedures.
• Communicate volunteer attendance, scheduling needs, and concerns to the Director of Operations, Education Center.
• Recognize and encourage volunteers and help create a positive visitor-services environment.

Telephone & Administrative Support

• Answer and direct incoming telephone calls in a professional and courteous manner.
• Respond to routine questions from the public by phone or in person and direct more complex questions to the appr
• opriate staff member.
• Assist with basic administrative tasks, data entry, filing, recordkeeping, and other office duties as assigned.
• Maintain accurate visitor, membership, and admissions information.
• Assist with membership-related administrative tasks as needed.
• Support Education Center staff with special events, programs, and other activities as assigned.

Other Responsibilities

• Follow all PRWC policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of organizational, financial, employee, volunteer, and visitor information.
• Attend required staff meetings and training.
• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers across the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous experience in customer service, admissions, retail, office administration, hospitality, or a related field preferred.
• Experience handling cash and processing financial transactions required.
• Experience working with volunteers is a plus.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with visitors, volunteers, and staff.
• Comfortable using computers, point-of-sale systems, telephones, and other basic technology.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to follow established procedures.
• Ability to remain professional and courteous in a busy public-facing environment.
• Must be willing and able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts as required by the Education Center's operating schedule.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the workday.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move throughout the admissions and visitor areas as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work indoors and in areas with varying temperatures and levels of visitor activity.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

This is a public-facing position in a busy wildlife education center. The position regularly interacts with visitors of all ages, volunteers, staff, and members of the public. The employee must be comfortable working in an environment that can become busy, noisy, and fast-paced, particularly during weekends, holidays, school breaks, and special events.