WELCOME CENTER GUEST SERVICES ASSOCIATE (FT Year-round)

About Hildene:

This year, Hildene is celebrating its 120th.anniversary. Located in southwestern Vermont, Hildene was the seasonal residence of Robert Lincoln and his wife, Mary. Mr. Lincoln was the only child of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. Between 1905 and the death of their granddaughter Mary Lincoln Beckwith in 1975, more Lincolns (three successive generations) lived at Hildene than at any other place in the world. In 1978, the nonprofit Friends of Hildene purchased and preserved the estate, which is open to the public year-round.

Hildene is among Vermont’s top cultural heritage sites and tourist destinations. The rich tapestry of the Lincoln family legacy and Abraham Lincoln's enduring greatness are woven into the fabric of contemporary life at Hildene. Our nonprofit attraction is comprised of Lincoln’s 1905 Georgian Revival home, formal and working gardens, restored Pullman railcar Sunbeam, agricultural operations, cheesemaking facility, twelve miles of trails, and year-round programming, all on 412 acres in beautiful Manchester, Vermont.

Throughout 2025, stories and notable dates on the Lincoln family and Hildene’s 120-year history will be shared with visitors to the estate.

Learn more at: hildene.org.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Director of Guest Services and Retail Operations, this is a public-facing role in a fast-paced environment that serves as the first point of contact for Hildene guests in the Welcome Center and Museum Store. Duties include processing admissions and retail merchandise transactions; responding knowledgeably and effectively to questions regarding all aspects of the Hildene experience including membership and volunteer opportunities; supporting day-to-day operations (restocking, shipping, and receiving, etc.) in Welcome Center and Museum Store; respect and enforce protocols for guest safety while on the site; to do such other related work as may be required or requested. 

(Year-round position. Full-time with 40 hours/week, hourly wage, weekends required.)

Requirements & Responsibilities:

• Excellent communication and oratory skills
• Customer Service experience
• Accurately perform daily opening and closing tasks and procedures
• Accurately perform retail transactions, daily deposits, and store close-out procedures
• Store maintenance, including restocking, merchandising, and inventory assessments.
• Positively engage with in-person guests, telephone inquiries, tradespeople, vendors, et al. 
• Develop and demonstrate a working understanding of the estate and its history.
• Ability to communicate and learn effectively through multiple channels both in person and digitally.
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, POS) and proficiency in the use of standard office equipment 
• Ability to navigate various customer service scenarios with positive outcomes.
• Ability to work effectively without direct supervision as well as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects and duties. 
• Ability to positively adapt workflows to accommodate volume and pace of guest needs. 

The successful candidate will be a clear communicator, be able to stand for long periods, lift up to 20 lbs., have a clean, neat, professional presentation, and put forth a positive and welcoming demeanor.

Qualifications:

Education:  High school diploma or GED equivalent required; college degree highly desirable

Experience:  Experience with museums, non-profits, or specialty retail preferred

Schedule: Thursday – Monday (weekends required), 40 hours weekly.

Compensation: $18/hr.

Additional Information:

Background check required of applicants 18 years of age or older.

TO APPLY:
Please email a letter of interest and resume to Sarah Blair, Director, Retail Operations and Guest Services via Indeed or at our website, hildene.org

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates for employment who will contribute to our diversity.