Visitor Services Associate

Summary of Position

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve.

The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush.

The Visitor Services Associate (VSA) plays an important role as the first point of contact for much of the public’s interaction with the APBPC and for our tenants who lease the second floor of the Discovery Center.  The VSA is adept at communications, interpretation and customer service.  A successful VSA is able to utilize their experience and knowledge of visitors and the preserve to tell the story of the APBP to varied audiences.  Additionally, this position will focus on supporting exhibits. This position will assist the Discovery Center Manager (DCM) in maintaining, planning and installing exhibits and will serve as a specialist on the Animal Care team.

The VSA will be required to work a total of 26 hours per week. Two days will be scheduled as frontline staff operating the Discovery Center.  Currently frontline days include Friday and Saturday for a total of 14 hours per week in a frontline position. The remaining hours will be scheduled with advance notice as needs and workloads dictate.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide interpretive services and experiences for visitors, utilizing knowledge of the APBPC, the preserve, and the audience to ignite interest. 
2. Frontline duties include greeting visitors, answering questions, providing assistance to tenant visitors, receiving deliveries, answering main phone line and info@ email account, operating cash register, providing visitors with information about trails, exhibits, ecology and the APBPC’s work, as well as operating Discovery Center exhibits and the facility. Frontline staff maintain awareness of occupants in the building and communicate their presence with the appropriate staff.
3. Serve as a specialist on the Animal Care team.  Handle, present to the public and provide basic care for collection of live animals (currently 3 turtles).
4. Assist the Discovery Center Manager in maintaining, planning and installing permanent and temporary exhibits.
5. Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent. Must be 18 years of age or older.
2. Ability to effectively convey the organizational mission and educational themes to diverse audiences. Experience with interpretive techniques is preferred.
3. Interest and/or background in natural sciences or environmental studies preferred.
4. Experience in visitor services and ability to provide quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner with demonstrated patience and f
5. Retail and customer service experience.
6. Willingness and ability to work alternate schedules when needs arise.
7. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
8. Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
9. Ability to complete tasks within assigned timeframes, possibly in the absence of direct supervision.
10. Some experience with live animal care preferred (current program includes 3 turtles).
11. Excellent computer skills and experience with common software applications (e.g: MS Office Programs, data management software, Internet browsers).
12. Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.

APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

APBPC is an at-will employer.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of APBPC for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.