Guest Services Associate

Guest Services Associate

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its public botanic garden and its education, research, and outreach programs. Founded in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden, a community gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, sustainable landscapes, landscape restoration, and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes over 275,000 visitors annually, has 16,000 member households, and reaches more than 2 million people annually through its native plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with nature.

The Wildflower Center believes that the "environment is where we all meet," as Lady Bird Johnson once wisely said. We are a community of people that care for each other, our land, and our broader community.

Wildflower Center staff get free parking, a free annual membership, discounts on Center classes and purchases made at the Shop & Gallery, and the Wildflower Café, and access to featured events. An inspiring and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose

The Wildflower Center is seeking a Guest Services Associate to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide top-notch customer service, prioritize guest satisfaction, and demonstrate strong attention to detail and organizational skills, all while championing our mission and goals. This is a part-time position that ends on 8/31/26. If there is a business need and funding is available, further employment may be offered but is not promised or guaranteed.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests to the Wildflower Center in a professional, friendly, and positive manner.
• Sell general admission tickets, informing guests about ticket prices and discount programs.
• Provide information about the Center and answer questions about current exhibits, classes, projects, and programs.
• Receive payment for programs, classes, school groups, tours, and special events through our website, in person, or via phone. Responsible for addressing all guest inquiries, referring complex questions to appropriate staff when necessary.
• Provide information about the benefits of a Wildflower Center membership to our guests. Accurately complete and submit membership form and create an Altru constituent record.
• Work with Altru database, staying current with knowledge base. Report any issues with software immediately to management. Review constituents' records for accuracy and assist in correcting records according to UT standards.
• Maintain an organized and clean working environment.
• Assist with program operations by maintaining first aid kits and kiosk cleanliness, reporting any issues to immediate supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Two years of experience on a cash register or point of sale (POS) equipment.
• Two years of experience in a customer service-related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience multitasking responsibilities in a high traffic area.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Knowledge of computer systems and ability to learn new software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as required during peak seasons and special events.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
• More than two years of experience in a box office setting with ticketing or POS system, preferably Altru.
• Museum or public garden experience.
• General knowledge of the outdoors, native plants, the Wildflower Center, Austin, and UT.

Salary

$18.00 per hour

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Ability to work outside in all types of weather, including extreme temperatures.
• Evening and weekend work will be required for events.
• Work station is located in our ticketing kiosk.
• May stand for long periods of time.

Work Shift

• The work schedule is no more than 19 hours per week and will vary with business needs (hours will decrease during slower seasons).
• Extended hours during evenings and weekends will be required for event coverage.
• Schedules are generally available two weeks in advance.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information including email address; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin uses E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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