Visitor Experience Associate, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

University Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penns distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of Americas Best Large Employers in 2023. Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play. Posted Job Title Visitor Experience Associate, Morris Arboretum & Gardens Job Profile Title Customer Service Assistant Job Description Summary The Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania inspires an understanding of the relationship between plants and people through education, research, and horticultural display. Located in the Northwest section of the city (15 miles from campus), the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a destination for plant lovers from Philadelphia and beyond. The Morris is home to a collection of more than 13,000 woody plants and host to special and educational events. A hub for botany, horticulture, and urban forestry, the Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a special part of Penn. Visitor Experience (VE) Associates assist the many guests (over 150,000 a year!) who visit the garden. VE Associates are the face of The Morris and a vital part of the team, ensuring a memorable, positive experience for our guests. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a world-renowned Arboretum and work with amazing people in a beautiful setting. Job Description DUTIES: VE Associates greet visitors, handle admissions and parking, run the gift shop, answer questions, sell memberships, and assist guests wherever possible. VE Associates must be professional, reliable, friendly, and have exceptional customer service skills. They must also be comfortable working with computers, handling money, working outside, and standing for extended periods of time. Flexibility, working well under pressure, a sense of humor, and a strong sense of teamwork are also beneficial skills to have for this role. QUALIFICATIONS: A qualified candidate will have: - A friendly, customer-centered demeanor. - Experience in customer-focused roles. - The ability to stay calm under pressure. - A willingness to jump in when needed and address problems. - Strong attention to detail and experience handling money. - Ability to convey information in a clear, concise manner. - Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time, in all types of weather. - Experience working on a computer and tablet. - A valid drivers license. This is a year-round, part-time (averaging 18/hours per week), paid position with variable hours. Weekend and holiday availability is required. VE Associates average more hours during the season (April through October, December) and fewer during the winter (November, January through March). Pay Rate: This position pays $16.85/hour. More about the Morris Arboretum can be found here: Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Job Location - City, State Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department / School Morris Arboretum Pay Range Salary offers are made based on the candidates qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the jobs level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered. Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Special Requirements Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. University Benefits Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your familys health and welfare. Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penns Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard. Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with familywhatever your personal needs may be. Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when youre newly hired, you wont have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting. Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. Thats why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance. University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the Universitys libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. Theres always something going on at Penn, whether its a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, youre right in the middle of the excitementand you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free. Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks. Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures. The University of Pennsylvanias special character is reflected in the wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community and help create an educational and working environment that best supports the Universitys commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.