Gallery Assistant

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

About SCMA
SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum, contributing meaningfully to Smith College's mission to educate women of promise for lives of distinction and purpose. We welcome about 35,000 visitors a year, including Five College students, staff and faculty, and visitors from the region and around the world. The museum's collection now comprises more than 27,000 objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies.

Essential Functions
Visitor Experience 85%:
Contribute to a positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment for museum visitors and staff. SCMA Gallery Assistants support the museum's mission by engaging visitors with firsthand experiences of art and fostering an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives. Specific responsibilities include:

• Proactively and respectfully address visitor questions about exhibitions, museum amenities, and where to find artworks on view by engaging directly, enthusiastically, and meaningfully with all visitors.
• Remain informed about current and upcoming exhibitions, artworks on view, museum programming, and visitor amenities and resources available.
• Help maintain supply of in-gallery interpretation materials, including brochures, feedback cards, etc.
• Support SCMA visitor guidelines and visitor experience policies.
• Observe and report safety incidents and concerns to museum Safety Team staff. Assist in evacuations and emergency response procedures.
• Commit to supporting museum core values and participate in training to center equity and inclusion in visitor experience operations and practices.
• Gallery Assistants will be trained to interact with diverse audiences, to foster connections between visitors and the works of art on view.
• Please note: Gallery Assistants do not participate in the handling of artworks, installations of artworks or exhibitions or lead tours at SCMA.

Administrative Duties 15%:

• Participate in regular training, including training on customer service and evacuation and safety procedures.
• Complete incident reports related to duties and share observations on visitor experience needs with Visitor Experience Manager, Safety Team and other departments in order to continually improve visitor experience at SCMA.

Other Functions
All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrated experience building positive visitor relations and working on a team.
• Demonstrated desire to work with and support a diverse learning community. Ability to meet the physical requirements of this position.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Skills
Your background and experience should reflect:

• Proven record of excellent customer service and communication skills; exemplary interpersonal skills; consistent good judgment; ability to respond quickly, calmly and appropriately in emergency situations.
• Enjoy working directly with visitors and as part of a team.
• Cultural competency to engage and support individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Basic computer skills.
• Promptness, reliability and honesty are required in this position.

Additional Information
Regular weekend (Saturday or Sunday) shift coverage and occasional evening hours are required of this position. Weekly hours worked will average 6-12 per week and include Saturday and/or Sunday, depending on coverage needs. If you are unable to commit to working these days please do not apply.

To help visitors identify staff in the museum, Gallery Assistants wear an ID badge, radio with an ear piece and abide by a casual dress code. Anticipated base pay - $17.49 per hour Benefits include accrued paid sick time, a discount in the SCMA Museum Shop, professional development opportunities, SCMA membership which includes free admission to many museums and cultural institutions throughout the New England region. Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age,
veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.

Please attach/upload a current resume and cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position.

Position Type:

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.