Visitor Engagement Associate

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is seeking a part-time Visitor Engagement Associate who will work with the visiting public primarily as a docent. The position offers the opportunity to join a dynamic team at a beautiful historic site in Catskill, New York, in the scenic Hudson Valley. This is a part time position, Fridays through Sundays, 10:30am-4:30pm. The hourly rate ranges from $17-$18, dependent on experience, for approximately eighteen hours per week. Because this is a part-time position, benefits such as health insurance are not included. The position begins in June of 2026, and is year-round. Winter hours may vary slightly. The Visitor Engagement Associate reports to the Director of Visitor Engagement.

Essential responsibilities

• Make visitors to the site feel welcome with warm and friendly greetings
• Facilitate self-guided experiences for visitors maintaining a level of knowledge in order to substantively inform the public and respond accurately to their questions
• Lead and help facilitate guided tours and group visits
  • Keep informed about special offers, events/programming, and the surrounding area of Catskill and be able to communicate this information to visitors
  • Keep informed about TCNHS policies and operating schedule and be able to communicate this information to visitors
  • Support shop/visitor center operations including operating the cash register and online ticketing system
  • Assist supervisor with opening and closing procedures for each building
  • Learn and implement security procedures
  • Communicate with supervisor about daily operations
• Assist with special events to support fundraising initiatives.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in museum programming, a passion for learning about history, and the desire to communicate this knowledge and passion with others. The ideal candidate will have a comfort and ability with speaking professionally with visitors, enjoy working as part of a team, and can problem-solve effectively and calmly handle many kinds of situations with patience, and with a smile. It is critical that the candidate be punctual, reliable, and responsible, as well as open to constructive feedback and new ideas. The position requires moderate physical activity including climbing stairs and moving about the historic site in hot summers and cool spring and fall weather.

We encourage you to apply even if you believe you do not meet all the qualifications listed. We value a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences, and the unique contributions they bring to our institution.