Jobs - ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Event & Retail Specialist

Reports To: Director of Sales and Guest Services
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. Weekend, evening and holiday hours required. This is a permanent, year round position. Typical schedule is Tuesday-Saturday
How to apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@echovermont.org with Event and Retail Specialist in the subject line. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Summary: ECHO’s mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. ECHO is a dynamic, nationally acclaimed, science and nature museum committed to engaging diverse public audiences and providing experiential, relevant and lifelong educational experiences for all our guests. ECHO employees are expected to contribute to a productive, respectful, inclusive workplace by modeling humor, communication, collaboration and accountability to our colleagues, animals and guests.

Job Purpose: ECHO seeks an individual experienced in retail sales and/or event logistics with a welcoming personality and desire to learn new tasks. This position will have responsibilities in ECHO’s growing event program by assisting with event tours, event execution and coordination as well as participating in the success of our retail offerings by working with the Retail Manager to input new toy orders, merchandising and social media planning. The Event and Retail Specialist is also responsible for providing guests with information about ECHO, its mission and exhibits by assisting the front desk with daily admission sales. The ideal candidate will be customer service focused, organized and able to stay on point while multitasking during periods of high activity. This position reports to the Director of Sales and Guest Services and the Retail and Guest Services Manager.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Events

Coordinate on site vendors by communicating load in plans, expectations and accommodations
Support client relationships by providing excellent customer service
Assists Director of Sales in providing event tours to potential clients when needed
Attends weekly event meetings with exclusive catering team
Able to utilize software systems to place dates on hold for clients
Can provide pricing estimates for new event clients
Serves as an on-site event manager during events
Attends final walk-throughs for events and notes all final details needed for the event
Assist Registrar with birthday parties inquiries
Prepares and sets up Community Room, Omni Room, or Dealer.com Terrace with birthday party supplies
Set up audio and visuals for event clients

Retail

Work directly with Retail Manager to determine merchandising needs
Ensure accuracy in entering new merchandise into POS system and online retail
Participate in inventory audits and prep work
Create and establish effective merchandising of all retail offerings
Assists in preparing social media photoshoots for postings

Front Desk

Open front desk including computers, cash drawer counting, and turning on all monitors and open cafe in time for guest arrival
Meet and greet ECHO walk-up guests and scheduled groups
Create a positive first impression of ECHO
Process front desk admission, film and membership sales
Stay informed about ECHO exhibits, programs, and gift shop merchandise
Help sell ECHO products by explaining annual membership benefits, movies, and suggesting gift shop merchandise
Set up cafe space including brewing coffee, stocking snacks and cups, setting up chairs
Answer phone questions directed to the Front Desk
Close all drawers and prepare daily cash-out
Assist in daily floor closing procedures and clean-up
Serve as an ECHO Floor Admiral

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of the position; it is intended merely to be a guide to the general work to be performed.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Three years of experience in retail and customer service
Experience in retail merchandising and/or experience in event management

Essential Job Skills and Abilities:

Must be detail oriented
Excellent communication skills
Excellent computer skills
Working knowledge of Google suite
Knowledge of AV systems
Knowledge of POS System
Cash handling experience
Experience in a supervisory role in customer service or retail preferred

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work is performed in an active public setting in our lobby, at our front desk and gift shop. The Event and Retail Specialist must be able to work in a variety of positions from being at the front desk, to assisting with event set up to helping bring in toy deliveries. The position also requires the individual to effectively communicate ECHO information both in a team and individual setting as well as work regular weekend and holiday hours.

ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates for employment who will contribute to our diversity.

ECHO requires all of our employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Interim Executive Director

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain seeks an Interim Executive Director with a proven track record of exceptional leadership to provide short-term strategic and operational management of the museum, while positioning the organization toward the future. The successful candidate will be an accomplished, engaging, and inclusive leader, who consistently demonstrates sound judgment and strong communication skills. They will possess an ability to quickly foster trust and build effective teams. A proven track record of effective problem-solving and clear decision-making within a collaborative work culture is essential.

The interim ED will work closely with both the board of directors and senior staff to ensure steady progress on key initiatives and strategic priorities, including meeting revenue goals. They will be an exceptional listener, will be accessible and visible within the museum on a daily basis, and possess an ability to inspire and motivate staff at all levels of the organization.

The ideal candidate will have a natural curiosity and a heartfelt connection to ECHO’s mission of inspiring families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. The preferred candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree and at least ten years experience leading and managing an organization or other complex unit.
Review of candidates will begin immediately, [with a preferred application date of April 29], and will continue until the position is filled. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references to katie@hawleyconsultingservices.com. All correspondence will be treated as confidential and references will not be contacted without prior permission.

ECHO is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates for employment who will contribute to our diversity. ECHO requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is an innovative science and nature museum located on the Burlington Waterfront. Open daily, ECHO encourages visitors to view the natural environment as part of their neighborhood and to explore, learn about, and consider opportunities for stewardship. Since 1995, we have taught more than 3 million visitors about the role of science in our culture and lives. ECHO leverages its unique setting to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain.

Building Maintenance & Custodial Worker

Reports To: Facilities Coordinator
Schedule: Full time: 40 hour work week, occasional holidays and overtime. Current schedule: 5 am to 3 pm, Wednesday – Saturday.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@echovermont.org with Building Maintenance & Custodial Worker in the subject line.

The Building Maintenance & Custodial Worker is an experienced team player who likes working in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate has demonstrated knowledge and a background in both general building maintenance and custodial services.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Building Maintenance Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Daily cleaning of all guest and staff areas: dusting, mopping, running floor cleaning machine, sweeping, scrubbing, window cleaning, trash removal.
Periodic deep cleaning utilizing carpet extractor and floor burnisher.
Collect and transfer trash/recyclables to appropriate bulk storage or disposal containers.
Maintain/stock paper products, solvents, cleansers, hand cleaners, etc. as needed.
Maintain/stock spare repair parts and tools.
Periodic mowing, cleaning, sweeping, raking, snow shoveling, de-icing, etc. of exterior areas including walkways, planter beds, parking lot and Hoehl Park.
Occasional exterior power washing
Responds to radio calls to repair broken exhibits and address immediate custodial needs.
Assist in exhibit installations, maintenance and removal.
Assist in painting, floor repairs, plumb repairs, carpentry, lighting, HVAC maintenance, aquarium filtration system maintenance and all other facets of building maintenance.

Other Duties:

Other duties and special projects are assigned as needed.
Assist Animal Care staff in animal care equipment maintenance and repair.
Occasional assistance with animal transfers.
Assist in departmental budget management.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of the position; it is intended merely to be a guide to the general work to be performed.

Essential Job Skills and Abilities:

Sufficient relevant experience that demonstrates an understanding of and ability to provide excellent custodial services.
Sufficient relevant experience that demonstrates an understanding of and ability to provide excellent building maintenance services.
Physical ability to perform strenuous work and lift/move at least 50 pounds.
Ability to troubleshoot issues both independently and with a team.
Responsive multi-tasker who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee sometimes works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may work in high, precarious places and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

Schedule & Benefits

Benefits include Extensive Paid time off and paid sick time, Health care, and Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution
Staff Training and Professional Development Opportunities
Waterfront work location

This position will be full-time, non-exempt and will be scheduled for four, ten-hour days per week, including one weekend day per week. Occasionally, this position will be required to work holidays and overtime.

ECHO requires all of our employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates for employment who will contribute to our diversity.

Guest Service Representative — Full Time

Reports To: Director of Sales and Guest Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. Weekend, evening and holiday hours required. This is a permanent, year round position. Typical schedule is Tuesday-Saturday

How to apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@echovermont.org with Guest Service Representative – Full Time, Year Round in the subject line. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Summary: ECHO’s mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain. ECHO is a dynamic, nationally acclaimed, science center and lake aquarium committed to engaging diverse public audiences and providing experiential, relevant and lifelong educational experiences for all our guests. ECHO employees are expected to contribute to a productive, respectful, inclusive workplace by modeling humor, communication, collaboration and accountability to our colleagues, animals and guests.

Job Purpose: ECHO seeks an individual experienced in customer service with a positive and welcoming personality. This position will be responsible for selling admission tickets, memberships, movie tickets, and cafe items. The Guest Service Representative is also responsible for providing guests with information about ECHO, its mission and exhibits as well as restocking the gift shop, helping with receiving new toy orders, assisting with events as well as answering general questions about the area. The ideal candidate will be customer service focused, organized and able to stay on point while multitasking during periods of high activity. This position reports to the Director of Sales and Guest Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Front Desk

Open front desk including computers, cash drawer counting, and turning on all monitors and open cafe in time for guest arrival
Meet and greet ECHO walk-up guests and scheduled groups
Create a positive first impression of ECHO
Process front desk admission, film and membership sales
Stay informed about ECHO exhibits, programs, and gift shop merchandise
Help sell ECHO products by explaining annual membership benefits, movies, and suggesting gift shop merchandise
Set up event spaces with birthday party supplies
Set up cafe space including brewing coffee, stocking snacks and cups, setting up chairs
Answer guest questions about ECHO and Burlington area or guide them to where they will get the question answered
Serve as first point of contact for guest injuries or complaints; report incidents or complaints to the proper Manager and/or Director
Make daily announcements and keep guests informed about activities, demos and public programs
Answer phone questions directed to the Front Desk
Close all drawers and prepare daily cash-out
Perform reception duties (receive express mail packages, greet ECHO staff guests, keep front desk neat and organized, etc.)
Monitor parking as needed
Assist in daily floor closing procedures and clean-up

Gift Shop

- Process gift shop merchandise sales
- Assists in gift shop inventory count
- Other duties may be assigned as needed

Events

Serve as ECHO representative in the front-desk area for events scheduled outside of regular operating hours.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of the position; it is intended merely to be a guide to the general work to be performed.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least six months of customer service experience
Retail and cash-handling experience
Knowledge or interest in the ECHO mission
High School or GED

Essential Job Skills and Abilities:

Ability to operate a cash register and learn ticketing system
Attention to detail, facility with numbers
Excellent computer skills and ability to learn new programs and systems
Ability to work with changing coworker team including volunteers, interns and seasonal staff
Can-do attitude and willingness to take on additional responsibility
Ability to work collaboratively with others
Skilled in customer service

Work is performed in an active public setting in our lobby, at our front desk and gift shop. The Customer Service Representative must be able to work at the front desk and work at a computer for several hours at a time. The position also requires the individual to effectively communicate ECHO information and work regular weekend and holiday hours.

ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes candidates for employment who will contribute to our diversity.

ECHO requires all of our employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.